Orangehead not Breeding

[gagamboy]

I'm currently experiencing a problem with my Orangehead colony. For some reason, they stopped producing nymphs.

I got them as colony last June with a steady combination of adults, nymphs, and juvies. At first, they were producing just fine as I would occasionally see a few newborn nymphs whenever I clean their tank. (which i do once a week)

But about a month ago, I noticed that I can no longer find any nymphs. I only found subadults and adults. It was the same way during the succeeding weeks whenever I did my weekly cleaning. I know i haven't missed them as my tank is bare bottom and scrape off the frass completely when cleaning.

By my count, this is 5th week wherein my colony yielded 0 nymphs. Can anybody give insight on this matter?? The set-up I use was basically the same as when I was producing nymphs. I also use the same feeds and didn't try anything new. They also remain in the same location in my house.

The only thing I could think of is the weather. But we live in a tropical country and weather rarely changes.

 

[Overfloater]

try giving them orange, "dalanghita" as alternative.

 

[gagamboy]

I noticed something REALLY weird today. I saw a female bring out her eggcase, then retract it back it without releasin any nymphs.

 

[brothaT]

I noticed something REALLY weird today. I saw a female bring out her eggcase, then retract it back it without releasin any nymphs.

I'm no expert but I believe that's normal and is just a way for the female to move the eggs into another chamber in the body to be incubated until live birth.

 

[dtknow]

yep.

Is the colony crowded? Might want to split it into two. Also, try feeding a more varied or different diet.

 

[arachyd]

Are you giving them a good variety of foods including citrus fruit, dark greens and something "high protein" like fish flakes?

 

[Xaranx]

The babies eat the frass, its a big part of their diet so maybe cleaning that out isn't very good for them.

 

[gagamboy]

Thanks for the info brothaT. I thought she was uhm, hesitating to give birth :wall:

I do give them a varied diet. Vegetebles, dogfood, protein pellets (the thing you give to fighting cocks >> yes, they are legal here), and oatmeal. Even a few dead roaches every now and then. Heven't tried the citrus yet though.

Hmmmm. You have a point there, Xaranx, but it smells really bad if don't clean it regularly

I'll also try the colony splitting thing, although I highly doubt it. Their number is only about a hundred by my latest count.

 

[arachyd]

I don't know about all the species but I know some of them absolutely must have citrus every now and then for successful breeding. My roaches (dubia & tesselata) are very partial to grapefruit.