Since ordering the five spiderlings earlier this month, I’ve had opportunity to delve into culturing of fruit flies. I purchased two tubes of Drosophila hydei at different stages of development about a month ago. After making my own homemade media and realizing the amount of work required, issues with mold, and the feast or famine aspects of producing fruit flies, it is clear that making my own fruit flies is not optimal.
The three species are growing at significantly different rates. The Chilean rosehair (Grammostola rosea) is growing quickly and is feeding on larger pinhead crickets already. The Honduran curly hair tarantula (Brachypelma albopilosa), who spends almost all of its time in its burrow, is growing more quickly than anticipated and prefers medium pinhead crickets. The three surface dwelling red knee tarantulas (Brachypelma smithi) are the slow growers I anticipated. They will eat the Drosophila hydei, but preferentially eat small pinheads when provided a pinhead and a fruitfly at the same time.
The ready availability of a wide variety of different size pinhead crickets at the local independent pet store, Sailfin Pet Shop, as well as their willingness to overcount the tiny pinheads, has made clear to me that this is by far the easiest, most cost effective option PLUS it allows me to support a local business that offers a much more knowledgeable staff than the large chain pet store in town.
I may maintain the fruit fly cultures for a little longer, but my interest in fruitfly culturing is waning.
Following this spiderling series with interest as I may take the same route myself. I don’t have a source for fruit flies, but pinheads are usually available at some of our pet stores here in Alberta.
Great photo!
Thanks, Ted!
[…] dealing with this sibling trio include “Life inside a 2 oz. condiment cup” and “Keeping the spiderlings fed” (show just how small these spiderlings actually were when purchased), “Moltfest 2 now […]
Hey I am currently keeping a juvenile Mexican Red Knee and i was wondering what soil do you use for your tarantulas.I heard that peat soil is the best and I am using them now.Do you think there is another alternatives for peat soil?
I use coconut fiber, which is readily available in pet stores as EcoEarth (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=6494&cmpid=07csegpl&ref=6111&subref=AA&CAWELAID=1755805573&catargetid=1580815770&cagpspn=pla). A bag lasts a long, long time.
Ok,thanks!