cultures

[deansie26]

Hey, ive been reading many threads and it seems very popular to produce your own cultures for frog food-fruit flys etc.
I was wondering for example how long a tub of micro crickets would last 3 dart frogs? Ball park?

[deadmeat30]

my mirco crickets always seem to die before i can finish the tub, only lasts about 4 days, and thats with 4 frogs. Best bet is setting up up fly cultures. much easier to maintain.

good tutorial for setting them up is HERE

[jennlovesfrogs]

I agree, I only buy 1 tub of mini crix every so often for a change in diet, but they do tend to die fast! I use my own home cultured fruit flies, so easy to do

[Dendroman]

yes i would use crickets as a treat they can become a problem if any dont get eaten and are left to grow they can nibble at the frogs and stress them if you are using crickets make sure you gutload them 1st they shout stay alive alot longer that way

Matt

[deansie26]

Thanx for the replys, with fly cultures- how many would I neen on the go for 3 darts?
I mean for example would 3 sound ok?
-one just starting
-one semi developed
-and one thats developed and full of fly's that your feeding darts on at the moment?

thanx for help

[deadmeat30]

your best bet is to keep them on 2 week gaps. with a 6 week lifespan.

so 2 new cultures
2 developing cultures
2 ready to use/ make new cultures

This way it reduces the build up of mites in the colonies.

Hope that helps (best setting up at least 2 colonies in case 1 collapses)

[Dendroman]

another way to take out mites is to lightly spray the culture with water or use mite paper

[deansie26]

Originally Posted by deadmeat30

your best bet is to keep them on 2 week gaps. with a 6 week lifespan.

so 2 new cultures
2 developing cultures
2 ready to use/ make new cultures

This way it reduces the build up of mites in the colonies.

Hope that helps (best setting up at least 2 colonies in case 1 collapses)

Perfect mate, exactly what I was looking for-thank you.

If you could answer one other question that would be great, 3 darts-how would I know if they need more or less food?
Is it just add some daily and look at there size and if they look as if there searching for food in which case add more?

thanx in advance

Jamie

[deadmeat30]

i feed mine roughly 12-15 flies a day each, there right greedy buggers, but make sure you spread them round the viv, so that get to jump around and chase them and also ensures they all get some .

[deansie26]

Originally Posted by Dendroman

another way to take out mites is to lightly spray the culture with water or use mite paper

Thanx, im a pain in tha ass newbie lol so asking alot of questions you have answered countless times lol