How do I look after calci-worms?

[Russell84]

Hello.
I ordered some calci-worms (pheonix worms), I ordered the size small because I thought my baby beardie wouldn't be able to manage the larger size. Anyway they arrived today and they're tiny!! not even worth feeding to him yet! I want to grow them up to a bigger size and then try him with them.

Does anyone know what are the best conditions to house, store and feed these little things? I've had no experience of them! They just arrived in a box with no substrate.

Any help much appretiated!

Thanks

 

[Russell84]

Anyone...?

 

[caitlinmartha]

Just leave them be for a bit, they'll grow at room temperature. not sure exactly how long it will take, but I've had luck waiting it out for PWs to get bigger.

 

[Russell84]

Should I put anything in for the to eat? Do you know if they like a substrate?

 

[caitlinmartha]

I never have - they just sort of hang out in their container relatively undisturbed for a couple of weeks. The PW site says not to order anymore than you can use in 2 - 3 weeks, I'm guessing they have enough substrate in there to last until that point.

 

[daner923]

They probably won't actually grow a whole lot honestly... Black soldier fly larvae basically only eat manure, like many other maggots. I would not, however, suggest trying to feed them manure. You have no idea what might be in, and whatever they eat, your dragon eats. Even if they're really small, you can still feed them to your beardie, he'll just probably eat them fast.

 

[Russell84]

No worries I definately won't feed them s***! :lol:

I put some salad leaves and carrot in there and they seem to be just lying underneath using it as shelter! Just a bit dissapointed that I got the wrong size because they weren't cheap! I may as well feed them to little Tidus, they'll make a small but nutritious snack for him. Thanks

I'll try silkworms next, I've heard very good things about these!

 

[daner923]

I'm planning on trying silkworms soon too. Honestly, I stopped using phoenix worms because Max was eating them so fast that he would forget to chew one or two, and a couple times live ones came out in his poo! He loved them, but I was afraid he'd eat a poop-coated worm while i was at work. Hornworms are pretty awesome too.