Six-spotted fishing spider (Dolomedes triton) killing without eating

[enayleoni]

This little fella was eating well for the first month that I've had him, but after this last molt about a week ago, he'll kill a cricket and just hold on to it for hours, then drops it. We're on our third cricket of this now.
Any ideas about why would be great. I've tried wax worms with both my fishing spiders having no interest, and they've outgrown interest in fruit flies with this last molt.
I was going to move him to a bigger enclosure, but I'm nervous about that stress if he's allready not (actually) eating? But maybe something with water would fix whatever issue this is?
(hazy) image is him ~3 hours after grabbing this cricket today

 

[wolfs79]

This little fella was eating well for the first month that I've had him, but after this last molt about a week ago, he'll kill a cricket and just hold on to it for hours, then drops it. We're on our third cricket of this now.
Any ideas about why would be great. I've tried wax worms with both my fishing spiders having no interest, and they've outgrown interest in fruit flies with this last molt.
I was going to move him to a bigger enclosure, but I'm nervous about that stress if he's allready not (actually) eating? But maybe something with water would fix whatever issue this is?
(hazy) image is him ~3 hours after grabbing this cricket today

My dark fishing spiders were doing the same thing killing the food not eating it.

What I did was went to small crickets and it seemed to help now they take any size.

Otherwise just give them some time make sure their habitat is just the way they would be like in the wild.

 

[MrTwister]

Are you sure it not just sucking juices untill it’s full then chucking the rest? Abdomen looks nice and plump.

 

[Scorpiobsession]

He's either full or sucking the juices.

 

[enayleoni]

Are you sure it not just sucking juices untill it’s full then chucking the rest? Abdomen looks nice and plump.

I had thought this could be, but his abdomen hasn't grown anything noticable after 3 crickets in 3 days. But I do agree, he's definitely not starving or anything

 

[enayleoni]

My dark fishing spiders were doing the same thing killing the food not eating it.

What I did was went to small crickets and it seemed to help now they take any size.

Otherwise just give them some time make sure their habitat is just the way they would be like in the wild.

Ok awesome! Glad to see someone else has run into this before. I'll definitely toss in a little cricket! Thanks

 

[Scp682]

I had thought this could be, but his abdomen hasn't grown anything noticable after 3 crickets in 3 days. But I do agree, he's definitely not starving or anything

You're feeding that big a meal every day? How much do you think they need?

 

[enayleoni]

You're feeding that big a meal every day? How much do you think they need?

Oh gosh no. I've only been doing that because he hadn't actually eaten, just cuddled with a dead cricket.
Mostly I was trying to see if it was a one off fluke or not

 

[Scp682]

Oh gosh no. I've only been doing that because he hadn't actually eaten, just cuddled with a dead cricket.
Mostly I was trying to see if it was a one off fluke or not

Ok ok just checking what you meant

 

[enayleoni]

Tiny cricket was a success! Ate the whole thing in no time. Thanks all for your help!

 

[wolfs79]

Tiny cricket was a success! Ate the whole thing in no time. Thanks all for your help!

Your welcome good luck with him