Fast critters - how to capture them?

Simon W · Post by **Simon W** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:11 pm

Saw my first active water creature today, a squirming worm (rotifer?) that completely filled my eyepiece at 400x. A hoot following it around the slide, a good way to get more practiced at automatically using the stage.

What hit me, was how on earth can you take a photo of such a wriggling beastie? Let alone take 20 shots! Flash? Are there safe chemicals you guys use to slow such creatures down? I could see it slowing down as I cooked it over the light though. felt a hint of sadness too.

Craig Gerard · Post by **Craig Gerard** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:15 pm

Simon,

Here is one link with applicable information.
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... php?t=4398

Craig

Simon W · Post by **Simon W** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 9:24 pm

Now THAT is a fun thread! As my critter was about 100x smaller, should I only use light beer? :-)

gpmatthews · Post by **gpmatthews** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:10 am

I don't know what the availability of lidocaine is in Australia, but I use lidocaine sore throat spray as an anaesthetic. In the UK it is available over the counter in pharmacies. It works well on a variety of water creatures and is especially useful for cladocera, midge larvae etc.

I think availability is a problem in some countries, such as the USA, depending on its legal category.

Benzocaine, another common ingredient in sore throat sprays, is usually unsuitable in that it precipitates crystals in water because of poor solubility. Lidocaine as hydrochloride does not, but takes longer to act because of lower fat solubility than benzocaine.

Simon W · Post by **Simon W** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 5:31 am

Thanks for that Graham. I've searched in Australia & haven't found Lidocaine here yet, but it gives me something to hunt for, especially the ingredient.

Still open to any other suggestions. I ain't buying Johnnie Walker Blue lable for those spoilt creatures!

NikonUser · Post by **NikonUser** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 7:19 am

Simon W wrote: Still open to any other suggestions.

search the PNG.net for protoslo, methylcellulose, wallpaper paste.