Several of these Blepharisma have turned up in my filter sponge "squeezings". They are ciliates, although the cilia are not apparent in this photo. They move quickly, much in the same way as a paramecium, and are about the same size. I was fortunate to capture this critter during a short moment when it was at rest. It took off again in a blur shortly after this photo, assuming its normal elongated shape. At first I didn't see the two visitors lurking in the gunk. Note the paramecium above (it looks ready to attack - it won't), and some type of out-of-focus worm to the left extending under the black pointer. Back To Image Index Page