Best diet for millipedes?

[Soli]

Hello, I am planning to get a couple African giant millipedes soon and keep finding conflicting info pertaining to their diets. Some say to feed rotting fruits and veggies, and some say its best to feed them fruit pellets? Also what about dog food? Keep seeing that too.

I currently feed my 3 yr old Thai rainbow millipede a fruit purée mix. Is this ok?

Advice much apreciated.

 

[satchellwk]

Millipedes aren't that picky. Just offer them all sorts of fruits, vegetables, dog food, fish food, etc. on a semi-regular bases. The vast majority of their nutrition, however, should come from rotting leaves and hardwood in the substrate. The other stuff is more or less a supplement.

On a related note, AGB's aren't cheap and can be a bit tricky. I would suggest starting with a smaller, but easier and cheaper species like Narceus sp. or Chicobolus spiningerus.

 

[Cavedweller]

Satchellwk is right about the need for rotten leaves/wood and the AGB thing. I've never kept Narceus, but my C. Spinigerus have been among my most active pedes and rapid breeders.

I've never heard of fruit pellets being used as millipede food. I just leave a slice of apple in the tank every couple weeks as a treat.

I don't imagine you'd need to puree the fruit? That sounds pretty messy.

 

[Soli]

Satchellwk is right about the need for rotten leaves/wood and the AGB thing. I've never kept Narceus, but my C. Spinigerus have been among my most active pedes and rapid breeders.

I've never heard of fruit pellets being used as millipede food. I just leave a slice of apple in the tank every couple weeks as a treat.

I don't imagine you'd need to puree the fruit? That sounds pretty messy.

Nah it's easy and only takes a few mins. But I will definitely add hardwood and leaves to its enclosure.

And what do you guys mean by AGBs being difficult? I keep reading mixed info on this as well.

 

[Cavedweller]

They seem very difficult to get to reproduce in captivity, especially compared to really prolific species like C. spinigerus. I've also heard of males randomly dying for no apparent reason. With the 100$ price tag that's a pretty heavy loss.

 

[MrCrackerpants]

They seem very difficult to get to reproduce in captivity, especially compared to really prolific species like C. spinigerus. I've also heard of males randomly dying for no apparent reason. With the 100$ price tag that's a pretty heavy loss.

I second this. I have many reproducing millipede species from all over the world but I can't get my A. gigas to reproduce. I have tried all the books and all the suggested set ups. My males have also died for no apparent reason. I have been trying for over a decade. I have one male left and if I do not get babies I will not be buying anymore.

 

[Smokehound714]

I always liked narceus alot more than those fancy-schmancy giants, anyway

 

[Soli]

Ouch...That sounds really frustrating
I was not planning to breed them, but maybe I will go with an alternative pede.

Thanks for the help guys

 

[MrCrackerpants]

Ouch...That sounds really frustrating
I was not planning to breed them, but maybe I will go with an alternative pede.

Thanks for the help guys

If you do not plan to breed them they are a very hardy long lived species. Their size is amazing! : )

 

[Soli]

If you do not plan to breed them they are a very hardy long lived species. Their size is amazing! : )

Oh! That's good to hear. Yes I must admit the size is what drew me to them...I just love over-sized bugs
Planning to add them to a big vivarium I have as sort of a "clean up" crew...and I thought they'd look cool in there