From former Bx Zoo Herpetologist: Amphipods (Scuds, Side-Swimmers) as Amphibian & Reptile Food

[findi]

Hi All,

Like sowbugs (isopods, pillbugs), Amphipods are crustaceans that feature prominently in natural diets of many reptiles and amphibians. They contain nutrients not found in insects, and are likely a rich source of calcium. Several species are easy to collect and breed in captivity, but, unlike sowbugs, they rarely attract much attention from hobbyists (please see the article below for information on breeding sowbugs). Whether you know them as Rock-Hoppers, Sand-Hoppers, Lawn Shrimp or any of the names above, one Amphipod or another likely makes its home near yours, and may be worth investigating as a food source for your pets. Read article here: http://bitly.com/LI0kca

Comments and questions appreciated. As I do not place notices here each time I post a new article on That Reptile Blog, you may wish to check in periodically or subscribe; you can do so here http://bitly.com/JJNk9h. Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bitly.com/JP27Nj.

Thanks, Frank
My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with http://bitly.com/LC8Lbp
Face Book http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

 

[Niffarious]

When I lived in Alberta I used freshwater amphipods as a food source for amphibians and turtles myself. They were everywhere and quite easy to collect.

Isopods are everywhere in my current location, but I have never seen terrestrial amphipods here aside from the 'sand fleas'. I would culture these, but assume they have fairly specific salt requirements given their natural environment. Do you know if there are any other terrestrial ones known to this area?

 

[Tenodera]

I caught a trio of sand fleas in Galveston Texas in March... And then 2 escaped. The third is doing marvelously though.
I've never been able to successfully keep stream species though, do they need artificial current by a bubbler or filter or something?

 

[findi]

When I lived in Alberta I used freshwater amphipods as a food source for amphibians and turtles myself. They were everywhere and quite easy to collect.

Isopods are everywhere in my current location, but I have never seen terrestrial amphipods here aside from the 'sand fleas'. I would culture these, but assume they have fairly specific salt requirements given their natural environment. Do you know if there are any other terrestrial ones known to this area?

Hi,

Thanks for your interest.

I've kept shore-dwellers in damp marine algae...never long term, but they lives for several weeks; fed on detritus and fish flakes. Very small, however. Other terrestrials likely present, but possibly tiny or localized in distribution. Have you considered sow bugs (terrestrial isopods)? Easy to breed, some quite large, found most everywhere or available from breeders, high Calcium content.

Please check out this article and let me know if you need info or a source for cultures: http://bitly.com/Mds9PY

Best, Frank

---------- Post added 05-31-2012 at 10:50 PM ----------

Hello,

Thanks for your interest. Based on experiences with other stream-dwelling inverts, it is likely that they need lots of oxygen, i.e. via mechanical aeration, and possibly cool temperatures as well. Many stream dwellers are sensitive to water quality as well,

Enjoy, Best, Frank

 

[Niffarious]

I have considered them, but I was under the impression that often tarantula's don't recognize them as a food source. As such, people often use isopods as a 'clean up crew' instead of feeders. My other concern about this is parasite load. How do you make sure your colony is free of parasites when collecting wild specimens?

 

[findi]

I have considered them, but I was under the impression that often tarantula's don't recognize them as a food source. As such, people often use isopods as a 'clean up crew' instead of feeders. My other concern about this is parasite load. How do you make sure your colony is free of parasites when collecting wild specimens?

Hi, thanks for the feedback,

They are a bit small for most tarantulas, and are pretty-well defended against smaller individuals. They are great scavengers in herp and spider terrariums.

Any parasites they carry seem fairly specific as to host; I've used terrestrial isopods in zoo and home exhibits for years w/o incident; herps that expire at the zoo are necropsied, and regular fecal exams are carried out, so I believe had their been anything suspicious our vets would have picked up on it.

Best, Frank

 

[Niffarious]

Well if parasites do not seem to be an issue I would definitely love to culture them for use as scavengers. I suppose of the odd was is eaten that is more of a bonus than anything else. Isopods are certainly not hard to find around here!

 

[findi]

Great...you can breed them right in the terrarium, if conditions are right, or separately; enjoy and good luck; please let me know if you need any more info.

 

[Niffarious]

I imagine I'll culture them outside the terrariums to start. Thank you for the tips

 

[findi]

My pleasure...enjoy and let me know how all goes; we still have much to learn, Best, Frank