Dubia Nymphs not Growing

[kelii]

Hi
My dubia colony doesn't seem to have a problem producing babies, it's just, the babies aren't growing very fast. I have a heating pad under the bin, offer roach chow and fruits and veggies and water crystals. What could be the problem? Oh, a couple of them are growing, but most aren't. It doesn't make much sense.

 

[LLLReptile]

How long has it been? It does take between 4 and 6 months for them to grow to full size.

It may also be that they're burrowing into the substrate (if you have that in the cage), so you're not seeing the inbetween stages.

-Jen

 

[kelii]

I think most of the babies have been in there for at least 2 months. A few (maybe 10) have molted to near adulthood, but most are still small :dontknow: There's at least 1000 babies. If I add veggies I never see them eating. Could they not be finding the food I offer?

 

[kelii]

Here's a picture of the bin. Sorry about the mess. I haven't cleaned it since I started the colony

 

[unkempt1]

It's very possible they aren't eating the veggies because nymphs often eat the frass (poop) instead. As long as your temps are good and food/hydration is in the tub, that's all you need to do. Poor hydration, I have heard but never experienced, can cause cannibalism. Which means the adults might be eating them. That being said, if you haven't seen a dip in the population, just means they're growing slow... but two months isn't a good indicator yet!

I become a little impatient after two months myself, but after 6-7 months I cleaned the tub and was amazed at how many adults I had.

 

[Soulwind]

They are growing, trust me. You're just not really noticing since your colony
hasn't hit that "critical mass" point where the population just explodes.

A nymph takes about 6 months to grow up, so looking at them at 2 months
wouldn't really show a huge change yet. Also remember that new ones are being
born all the time.

I felt similarly impatient at first, I think we all probably do. Just keep it up and give it some time.
Eventually the colony will hit that "critical mass" point, and you'll be shocked at
how big it's gotten.

When I first started my colony, they'd go through a little meatloaf tin of roach chow every
2 weeks. Now they go through that same tin in about 3 days. And watching fresh fruit
disappear could almost be done as a stop-motion movie....

 

[kelii]

They are growing, trust me. You're just not really noticing since your colony
hasn't hit that "critical mass" point where the population just explodes.

A nymph takes about 6 months to grow up, so looking at them at 2 months
wouldn't really show a huge change yet. Also remember that new ones are being
born all the time.

I felt similarly impatient at first, I think we all probably do. Just keep it up and give it some time.
Eventually the colony will hit that "critical mass" point, and you'll be shocked at
how big it's gotten.

When I first started my colony, they'd go through a little meatloaf tin of roach chow every
2 weeks. Now they go through that same tin in about 3 days. And watching fresh fruit
disappear could almost be done as a stop-motion movie....

Thanks for the reassurance I'll keep trying to be patient. I just remember the time I raised meal worms for my sugar gliders and I reached critical mass in only 2 months, lol.

 

[unkempt1]

Soulwind said it better than me. By the way, what kind of meatloaf tin do you use? I've been using fake butter lids and containers but it gets so dirty!

 

[Soulwind]

Soulwind said it better than me. By the way, what kind of meatloaf tin do you use? I've been using fake butter lids and containers but it gets so dirty!

I use those little "mini loaf" disposable tins made out of thick aluminum foil. I cut one edge out and
make a little ramp, and then fill it up with food. I use one for the chow and put the fresh fruit/veggies
in another so nothing ever has to sit in the frass.

The tins actually deteriorate over time, I guess from the citric acid in the fruit? But since they are
like $2.50 for 4 of them, I don't really mind throwing them out.

 

[unkempt1]

What is the brand and where can I get them? I want to try them out! :twisted:

 

[Soulwind]

What is the brand and where can I get them? I want to try them out! :twisted:

I get mine from the local grocery store. But I just found them online for only $0.25 each, which is even
cheaper than the store sells them for (I didn't check shipping charges though).

Here's a link to what I'm talking about: http://www.factorydirectparty.com/aluminum-mini-oblong-loaf-pans-1-piece.html?gdftrk=gdfV27131_a_7c723_a_7c2002_a_7cK00601_d_1_a2s_piece