Halloween Hissers as feeders?

[justanotherTkeeper]

I just ordered some Elliptorhina Javanica, and I intend on keeping them as pets, however I've read that they reproduce rather quickly and having a population boom is common. So to keep numbers down, I'd like to feed some off now and then and I'm curious on people's experiences using them as feeders for T's. I read a comment on youtube claiming adult hissers should not be fed to T's because they can break their fangs on the roach armor. Is there any merit to this? Anyone have any good/bad experiences or other information to share?

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Adult hissers can be fed to larger spiders. They often struggle and hiss for a while, though. It is a little unpleasant. The nymphs can be fed off a few at a time to keep the population in check.

 

[Smotzer]

I have heard that rumor before about them, but I have yet to read a single bit of even anecdotal evidence showing that they could break a fang on their exoskeleton, and people have used them for feeders for the larger tarantulas, quite a bit. I just personally have not used them as a feeder, only had them as roach friends lol. I would say just dont feed a freshly molted tarantula an adult E. javanica, be really sure the fangs are 100% completely hardened maxing the longer end of the spectrum for feeding an adult after they have molted.

Make sure what you have them prevents an escape as they can climb smooth surfaces and the fresh nymphs can get out off tight spaces. I learned this the hard way!

 

[lazarus]

E. javanica actually have a bit softer shell than Gromphadorhina spp. but adult Ts don't have a problem eating adult hissers anyway. Some of my Ts won't take them but I believe it's more due to the hissing since they stop before trying the shell with the fangs.
I do feed them off occasionally but usually you can find someone interested to take them as pets. A female produces quite a lot of babies at once but they have a long gestation and the nymphs take quite a bit to grow.

 

[justanotherTkeeper]

Make sure what you have them prevents an escape as they can climb smooth surfaces and the fresh nymphs can get out off tight spaces. I learned this the hard way!

Do you know if the vaseline around the tub trick work on these guys?

 

[Smotzer]

Do you know if the vaseline around the tub trick work on these guys?

I assume so, I havent personally tried, so I cant say for certain. but I dont see why not??

 

[DomGom TheFather]

Do you know if the vaseline around the tub trick work on these guys?

Yes. But a little oil works very well. A tiny bit of vegetable or olive oil applied to the sides in a band under the lid keeps them down in smooth plastics. I just use a cotton ball with a couple drops and redo it about once a month for all my bins.