Swimming Ciliates

Treatment

Swimming ciliates are indicators of being close to a healthy sludge age. If you are concerned about your plant conditions contact a technical rep for information and recommendations.

Under the Microscope and in Your Plant

Swimming ciliates tend to be abundant when free bacteria levels are decreasing to healthy levels. A plethora of swimming ciliates can indicate an abundance of active bacteria and/or nutrients that have not been depleted. Swimming ciliates tend to be found within a young to moderate sludge age.

Swimming ciliates have rows of short hair-like structures, or cilia, over the entire surface of their body. The cilia beat in unison to create movement as well as draw water currents with free bacteria into their mouth opening on its ventral side. They move in a straight line until they encounter a particle then they back up and change directions. Swimming ciliates are able to be identified under 100x magnification and range from 40-200 µm in length. Swimming ciliates are beneficial to a wastewater system as they feed on free bacteria, therefore aiding in keeping a clear effluent.

Interesting Facts

• They come in many different shapes and sizes
• Some swimming ciliates are carnivorous and consume other swimming ciliates
• Some been found with algae inside them which can turn these ciliates green