Need Help. male Firehead-Millipede maybe dying

Juri1337

Arachnopeon
Joined
May 27, 2025
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2
Hey i have an urgent question regarding one of my firehead millipedes (Analocostreptus servatius / Spirostreptus serratus).
He is a 2,5 year old male and recently has not been too active and for a few days now he has just been laying on the side like in the first picture.
A day ago i found him turned with his face facing up at the same location (second picture) and shortly after on the side again. He responds to touch both on his feet and body, how every only on the last third of his body, where he then moves his feet in a wave motion. His antenna or anything on his upper body is not responding at all.
I'm really concerned and think he might have digested pesticides or fungus based on what i have seen online. I really hope im wrong and that someone here can help me.
 

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Juri1337

Arachnopeon
Joined
May 27, 2025
Messages
2
Was he wc? And how big when you got him?
I got a female MIllipede from a breeder and in the substrate was also a tiny millipede (or egg). I found him like a month after I got the millipede and he was abt 1 cm (1/2 inch)
 

Charliemum

Arachnocompulsive
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Mar 5, 2021
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I got a female MIllipede from a breeder and in the substrate was also a tiny millipede (or egg). I found him like a month after I got the millipede and he was abt 1 cm (1/2 inch)
So at least captive born... I don't keep mils but I have been on ab long enough to know being curled like that isn't good.
Has anything been sprayed near the viv? Not just chemicals but aftershave or even deodorant or even painting a room ?
I do know Mils are extremely sensitive to anything in their environment. The usual answers would be change the sub decor ect and I have seen ppl say you can use a wet cotton bud to wipe the mil down in hope if it's something that's been sprayed ect you can wipe it off but thats as far as my knowledge goes.... I am sorry I can't give more then generic answers.

@Wolfram1 is there any chance you could help please? I know your love of sub fauna so I have a feeling you may have a better or more detailed answer for the op.
 

Wolfram1

Arachnoprince
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Jul 1, 2018
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1,610
Could simply be old age, males don't live as long
if you pick him up with some tweezers or your hand and it does not curl up or hold a proper body tension/remains floppy then it will likely die within about 2 days.
if they are preparing to shed they should still have body tension and most importantly burrow themselves.
 
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