Citharischius crawshayi; Second Attempt

[Austin S.]

I'll be receiving another MM for my big girl here in a couple days. She has settled in quit nicely and is fattened up. Being that it onlt took one month for her to lay the last sac (although it was a dud) I'm hopeing for the same results this time around, hopefully better. I learned some things after the last try. Ryan helped me out a lot as well, so thanks for that bud. Anyways, he'll be here in a couple days. He'll be fattened up (if possible) and will try to mate with my female. I"m going to do everything exactly the same as last time too. But this time, I ordered a special kind of dirt. It is has 50% rich dirt, 35% fine sand, and 15% think dirt. I read up on the habitat and this is the closest I could get it. Lets see what happens and hope for the best. All of the mating pics, etc. will be posted in this thread. Pray for the little MM guys and gals!

 

[Talkenlate04]

So has she molted again or are you going to try and mate her again before a molt? If she has not molted I would guard that male like he was made of gold because he has snack written all over him. Good luck ether way I hope you get babies soon!

 

[Austin S.]

So has she molted again or are you going to try and mate her again before a molt? If she has not molted I would guard that male like he was made of gold because he has snack written all over him.

She hasnt molted yet. But with that being said, you dont come across a MM of this species quit often. So I'm taking my chances. The last male was able to get two successful insersions in last time, lets she if shes still in the lovable mood. Maybe I'll use my hand again, this time to save the male! Good thing the 12" tongs that i couldnt find that time, are sitting ontop of her tank. Hah.

One more thing. I have a 3.5" male in premolt right now. So if she does pull a quick molt on me and the MM is gone, it will somewhat be a good thing to have to freshly molted adults goin at it.

 

[_bob_]

Hey Austin,

Take your time with that little guy. He mated with 2 freshly molted females and they are getting REALLY fat. He was mated with each one 2 times or so. I wish you the best of luck with him!

Do you have some pictures of your setup?

Bob

 

[Austin S.]

She was housed in a 30 gal long and was 30" tall. It was a big tank, and made it such a hastle with everything last time. So I down graded to a 20 gal. and put my order of dirt in. Here are some pics:
This is her old tank:

The old tank had something nasty growing in it as well.
And the new one with the new dirt:

 

[Austin S.]

I started a premade burrow for her inorder to see everything:

 

[Austin S.]

She already took to it and is now making it bigger.

 

[_bob_]

VERY nice... She will be really comfy in there.

Bob

 

[Austin S.]

I worked 14 hours straight today. I guess she couls tell I was tired and decided to play nice! She showed absolutely no signs of aggression towards him. I'll try a couple more times. Heres to wishing!
MM

Big mama:

Male searching for his gal

And so it begins!

Then walked slowly back and walked out of her tank. She never slapped at him or anything, she just stood there!

 

[Austin S.]

Second attempt as of 6/22/08.
Male searching for female

She slowly started backing up and I grabbed the tongs

 

[Austin S.]

He made four good insersions, but this is the only decent pic that came out of them

Then he just backed off

Lets keep those fingers crossed!

 

[Lucara]

Never heard of someone mating before a molt. I always thought it would harm the female but I hope it works out for ya!

 

[Talkenlate04]

Never heard of someone mating before a molt. I always thought it would harm the female but I hope it works out for ya!

I don't think it can harm them, but it brings down the chances of a good egg sac (or any egg sac at all for that matter) being produced.

 

[arachi american]

looooook at dem TEEF!

 

[Rochelle]

I have ALL my digits tangled for you!!!! :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[Nam]

Very Very nice Pics ...I am so glad I chose this Sp. as my next pet.
Good Luck!!!!She is beautiful!

 

[Austin S.]

I tried them again tonight. Lookin good so far, I'm just hopeing she doesnt pull a quick molt on me! But if thats the case, I have a 4" backup male in premolt.

You cant really tell, but hes under there!

Job well done

 

[Snipes]

Nice, i didn't know the last one turned out to be a dud, bummer. You must have one nice female, has she munched males in the past?