[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: NFC: raising crickets
Off topic slightly:
I need to acquire a large colony or culture of daphnia polex. Anyone with a
connection or any to spare please contact me at: gollum at abs_net
Thanks James
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joshua L Wiegert" <jlw at pi_dune.net>
To: <nfc at actwin_com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 12:29 PM
Subject: Re: NFC: raising crickets
> Hey Chuck, I've commented as I quoted. See below.
>
>
> end
> ____^__
> ><,Darwin,>
> Joshua L. Wiegert
> NFC Lists Administrator JLW at pi_dune.net
> www.geocities.com/RainForest/Jungle/1680/ owner-nfc at actwin_com
> ICQ 69551951 AIM UID: Etheosoma
> Feel free to contact me by any of the above means for any reason.
>
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-=-=
> tIqDaq HoSna' tu'lu' nIteb Qob quD jup 'e' chaw'be' SuvwI'
>
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-=-=
> NFC Lists include the main 'NFC' list, 'NFC-Digest,' 'NFCBreeders,' the
> Fish Wish List (FWL), AdoptATank, NFCPonds, and BPEzine. To subscribe
> to any of these, e-mail Majordomo at actwin_com with the command subscribe
> <listname>. To unsubscribe, use the command unsubscribe <list>. Help
> returns a list of other commands, or feel free to contact me at
> Owner-NFC at actwin_com. All lists are @actwin.com. Come join us and chat
> about our native fishes, or visit http://www.nativefish.org!
>
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
-=-=
>
>
> On Tue, 24 Oct 2000 IndyEsox at aol_com wrote:
>
> > Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 12:11:30 EDT
> > From: IndyEsox at aol_com
> > Reply-To: nfc at actwin_com
> > To: nfc at actwin_com
> > Subject: NFC: raising crickets
> >
> > I still have time to collect wild crickets and start a culture. I've
heard a
> > few things, which I will relate. Please correct or expand on items and
throw
> > me any other tips you know.
> >
> > - Life span of crickets is about three weeks. In order to have an
ongoing
> > culture, I need to breed them. I read once you put shallow containers
of
> > sand for them to lay eggs in. Due adult crickets need to be removed to
> > another container once babies hatch?
> >
> Crickets are omnivores, and opportunistic predators. They'll eat anything
> that can stuff into their mouth. This includes babies, and each other.
> Canibalism is not uncommon. Like feeder guppies, the best solution is to
> make sure there are lots of hiding spots.
>
> > - They need heat, particularly in a cold house during winter. In the
bait
> > shops, I typically see low wattage light bulbs left on 24/7.
> > Someone just gave me a large electric "hot rock" normally used for
lizards
> > and snakes. Would this work instead of light bulb?
> >
> Hot rock is a bad idea. Try a heating pad underneat the tank. The hot
> rock will heat just one area, leaving cold and hot spots in the tank.
>
> > - Water: I've heard that if you use open containers of water, they will
> > drown. A sponge in water is what I typical see.
> >
> Crickets just ain't bright. :) They will drown fairly easily. You can
> overcome this by using very shallow dishes. Unfortunately, these empty
> quickly. There is a cricket drinker available, which is a big water
> bottle, inverted, into a small dish with a grate. The water fills,
> leaving a small area for them to drink.
>
> > - Food: I think the bait shops use commercial cricket food. In the
garden I
> > see them eating bread I throw out to the birds and sometimes tomatoes on
the
> > ground that have broken open. I can't imagine white bread being very
> > nutritious. Anyone have a good source of cricket food or other easily
> > obtainable stuff they will eat?
> >
> Potatoes. Thats what we use in the store, assuming Jorge doesn't find
> it first, and what most people use.
>
> > - Containers: I have some cracked aquariums with screen tops. Planning
on
> > filling them with empty 12-pack egg containers. Any other suggestions?
> >
> Egg cartens are great, they have lots of hiding spots. They also make it
> easy to collect them.
>
> > - Personally, I like to listen to crickets. But the odor they generate
will
> > probably get them confined to the basement. The other reason for
raising
> > them is food for native fish.
> >
> That'll change -- you'll get sick and tired of hearing that endless
> chirping pretty darn quick, methinks. :) The smell is not caused by the
> crickets, but by their food and feces. You can overcome this by cleaning
> the bottom regularly.
>
> Personally, I wouldn't bother culturing crickets. If you have a need for
> lots and lots of crickets, your LFS can probably work something out. They
> order them regularly, and they get boxes of a thousand, sometimes boxes of
> only a few hundred. If this isx the number you're going to be regularly
> needing, talk to the manager of your LFS, and see about purchasing the
> boxes from him, ahead of time. You can keep them just as I've described.
> You'll have a ready supply, without trying to culture them. It'll be
> cleaner, better smelling, and more productive, not to mention a whole lot
> easier. :)
>
> Good luck, Chuck.!
>
>
> > All help appreciated.
> >
> > Chuck Church
> > Indianapolis, Indiana USA
> >
>
References: