# Let's play "Identify that Fungal Growth!" (possibly TMI)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-identify-that-fungal-growth-possibly-tmi/179461>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 3, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-identify-that-fungal-growth-possibly-tmi/179461 "2003-06-03T21:53:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-identify-that-fungal-growth-possibly-tmi/179461/1 "2003-06-03T21:53:03Z")

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OK I have a small refrigerator in my office, that I keep the interior of very clean. I had trouble with it icing up about 6 months ago, so I turned the dial to make it slightly warmer inside. I emptied the little tray under the freezer everyday for a month while it slowly defrosted. Then I forgot about the little tray.

Until today. Oh.My.God. A little liquid and several different species. And it’s been so long since my Microbiology that I need a little help here.

Floating…  
…Several white rice size flecks  
…1 big greeny-blue one about the size of a half dollar

On the bottom…  
…MANY black slimy very small (some dislodged when liquid was poured out) thickly covered 1 corner (about 4 in square) and radiating out from there  
…4 “blueberries” about 2 mm spheres (size and shape of blueberries) very jelly texture  
…1 red quarter-size circle, slightly raised. Like a big blop of ketchup  
Yes I cleaned it. And I’m leaving it out of the fridge overnight and letting cleaner soak in. Ew Ick Phooey. I think I’m bringing Clorox tomorrow.

Any assistance is appreciated. I didn’t think this was important enough to be in GQ. If it needs to be moved, I’m very sorry.

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**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-identify-that-fungal-growth-possibly-tmi/179461/2 "2003-06-03T23:25:09Z")

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Aren’t these more likely to be bacterial colonies than fungi?

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**Author:** ![survivorology.com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/0ea827/32.png) [@survivorology.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survivorology.com)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-identify-that-fungal-growth-possibly-tmi/179461/3 "2003-06-03T23:31:30Z")

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so funny that mangetout would reply to this question. After all, mangetout will eat anything.

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**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2003, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-play-identify-that-fungal-growth-possibly-tmi/179461/4 "2003-06-04T00:33:00Z")

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Well, they were in a dark refrigeratror at approximately 40-45 degrees F. They could be either bacteria or fungi.