Is this mold?

[DeRez]

In the past 24 hours this powdery white "stuff" has appeared in three of my enclosures on the moist eco-earth. I'm guessing mold or fungus. It looks more dry than the mold I have seen appear on uneaten prey. Does anyone know what it is? Here is a pic from the "wet" side of my L. parahybana's tank. Thank you.

 

[GForce14063]

I am not familiar with the eco earth products but I always microwave my substrate to kill any unwanted life forms that might be hiding in the substrate.

 

[DeRez]

Eco-earth is just coco fiber. This substrate isn't new though, it's been in there for months now. Plus, it simultaneously appeared in three separate enclosures.

 

[GForce14063]

I wouldn't take a chance mold is very toxic to tarantulas. I would change the substrate and wash all the tanks mold spores left behind could start the problem all over again. microwave the substrate for about 5 minutes keeping a eye so it don't catch fire.

 

[19tarantula91]

I wouldn't take a chance mold is very toxic to tarantulas.

Not true.... Even though you would think this to be true it isn't. Although it's not a bad idea to remove it and keep it under wraps, it still isn't "toxic" to your t's so don't freak out.

 

[GForce14063]

"Some molds produce mycotoxins that can pose serious health risks to humans and animals. Some studies claim that exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and in some cases death. Prolonged exposure, e.g. daily workplace exposure, may be particularly harmful." [quote from Wikipedia]


And here is a link http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?183201-Mold-question...&highlight=mold+spore

 

[19tarantula91]

I wasn't saying no type of mold isn't dangerous... only the general molds that form in cages from to much moisture. Look and see what kind of things produce the mold you are talking about and see that a lot of times it requires more then dirt and moisture

 

[Cheza]

I've seen it using eco earth and other sub. I think its the beginning of fungus, because I've seen it turn into mushrooms. At least thats my experience with it . Seems to happen when the sub is really moist . I usually take it out when I see it .

 

[DeRez]

Thanks for all the input. I've removed it and I'm going to let all my setups dry out for a few days. Hopefully it doesn't spread to the others; I have 19 tanks and boxes with coco in that room housing T's, scorps, a ball and a pacman frog - not really in the mood to disinfect and redo all of them.

 

[zonbonzovi]

The concept of mold/fungi, etc. harming a tarantula is an overrated one(despite what the, ahem, venerable wikipedia has to say). If it's moist enough to allow thriving fungus, using detrivores like isopods or similar creatures too small to be on the tarantulas' radar is a good idea. I have several tanks crawling with mycelium that fruit mushrooms at certain times of the year and I've never had a health issue in any of those tanks. Moist areas in tanks will promote growth no matter how many times you change the substrate. I wish we as invertebrate keepers would take a cue from amphib keepers and treat it as just another part of the microclimate.

 

[jayefbe]

The concept of mold/fungi, etc. harming a tarantula is an overrated one(despite what the, ahem, venerable wikipedia has to say). If it's moist enough to allow thriving fungus, using detrivores like isopods or similar creatures too small to be on the tarantulas' radar is a good idea. I have several tanks crawling with mycelium that fruit mushrooms at certain times of the year and I've never had a health issue in any of those tanks. Moist areas in tanks will promote growth no matter how many times you change the substrate. I wish we as invertebrate keepers would take a cue from amphib keepers and treat it as just another part of the microclimate.

I'm in complete agreement. I think the "oh no, MOLD! It'll kill your tarantula!" warning is overstated. By a lot. Some are toxic but the overwhelming majority are not. I just clean up mold when I see it, and that's about it. No need to completely eradicate the stuff because it's going to come back unless you keep it in a completely sterile environment.

I also keep dart frogs in addition to tarantulas. I have fungus cultures all over the place in their enclosures, some of them throwing up mushrooms. I do keep isopods and springtails to do some housekeeping, but there's no detrimental effect from the fungus on my frogs at all.

 

[Saark]

Isopods with terrestrial T's

I do keep isopods and springtails to do some housekeeping...

Do you keep these with your tarantulas as well? I am trying to decide if I should add these to my T stirmi tank. It's a largish tank, with 18in X 36in floor space and she's about 7-8in and I keep her tank quite humid. I also have some live plants in the tank but the set up is just a month old so they haven't established themselves yet. Anyway, I am getting mold popping up here and there. I try to remove it when I see it but I'd like to include some natural, living control as well. I have no idea though, how many to add and whether or not they will irritate my T.

I am thinking about this clean up crew - Orange Sow Bug and Springtail Combo at Bugs in Cyberspace but I don't know if 15 sow bugs and 50+ springtails is too many considering there will no doubt be some reproduction.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Storm76]

I do use tropical isopods (the white ones) in my Avic and Psalm tanks with no problems, didn't encounter any problems so far and I am aware that the breeder I got most of my spiders from, actually does right the same. Got the isopods from him anyways

EDIT: However, using those does not mean you are not required to not clean up stuff yourself - if you find something that needs to be taken care of, do it better sooner than later. Because "later" might lead to "forget" about it

 

[paassatt]

Do you keep these with your tarantulas as well? I am trying to decide if I should add these to my T stirmi tank.

Seeing as how species from genus Theraphosa require special humidity requirements, if you're keeping it properly, keeping isopods in the enclosure definitely would not be a bad idea.

 

[sbullet]

Seeing as how species from genus Theraphosa require special humidity requirements, if you're keeping it properly, keeping isopods in the enclosure definitely would not be a bad idea.

That is such a great tip!!!