Special Care for O. ornatus?

[Akvaan]

I'm looking to get in to the hobby and O. ornatus is such a beautiful species that I'd love to own, but I don't know if I have all of the info to do so well. I've been researching millipede care over the past few weeks (a lot of it from older threads here), but most of that seems general purpose and more suited to species from more humid regions. Does O. ornatus need different conditions vs other millipede species? I'm a beginner here, so give me all of the info you can about caring for them properly. I'd heard good things about pre-mixed substrate brands from other people in the hobby, but that's mostly pertaining to other species. Literally any information would be greatly appreciated, including telling me to pick a different species for my first if it comes to that (I'd rather not, but I want to do right by them).

Kind of a side note: has anyone figured out how to get O. ornatus to breed in captivity yet? I saw threads from 2018 and earlier of posters here trying to figure it out, but I hadn't seen any results. I'd love to get a species and have them really thrive and breed, in part so that I wouldn't need to buy more in the future. Of course, if not, I'd be more than happy to buy more.

 

[Matts inverts]

So they need a large tank or tub with 6 inches of substrate. All millipede substrate works for them. I think Aquarimax has a how to breed millipedes video and it explains how to make substrate. I would poor water in one spot so the bottom layer is moist but the tank is dry. I would feed foods like carrots and strawberry but they usually only eat a little bit so just remove the scraps after a couple days. These are definitely a beginner species. Also this species still doesn’t breed in captivity. One company says they bred them but they sold the babies so no one actually knows. Also your profile says you are in Texas. You could catch a couple. Also there are multiple morphs. First you have gold banded, sonoran, and Texas brown and I think they can mix morphs or localities in the wild

 

[Akvaan]

So they need a large tank or tub with 6 inches of substrate. All millipede substrate works for them. I think Aquarimax has a how to breed millipedes video and it explains how to make substrate. I would poor water in one spot so the bottom layer is moist but the tank is dry. I would feed foods like carrots and strawberry but they usually only eat a little bit so just remove the scraps after a couple days. These are definitely a beginner species.

Figure a 10-gallon should work just fine? I'd seen info about misting O. ornatus, but the pouring water makes sense with what I've heard about them not handling humidity as well. Might be a dumb question, but how much and how often?

Also this species still doesn’t breed in captivity. One company says they bred them but they sold the babies so no one actually knows.

That's a bummer, but totally understandable. I remember seeing posts where members were trying to mimic their natural habitat to see if breeding would work then, but I guess it was no luck.

Also your profile says you are in Texas. You could catch a couple.

From my understanding, O. ornatus live out in West Texas, which is a 3-5 hour drive depending on exact distance, so it'd be quite a ways. Not impossible by any means, but definitely not convenient.

Also there are multiple morphs. First you have gold banded, sonoran, and Texas brown and I think they can mix morphs or localities in the wild.

That's what made me fall in love with them initially, I love their colorations. Texas Golds are the ones that really caught my eye though.

Edit: Sorry, two more questions. 1. Would O. ornatus need some form of heating if I prefer to keep my home cooler (mid-60's)? I've heard they do best in mid-70's. 2. What kind of top should I get for my tank? I've just got a glass aquarium and don't know whether to get one of those ventilated lids they use for reptile enclosures or something else.

 

[Matts inverts]

I have a Texas gold. A ten gallon can hold up to three. As for the water. I would poor water about once a week so there is a humid layer but don’t make a big so it soaks the substrate. Also I would feed foods with high water content less often than stuff like carrots because they are from the desert so they might consume too much moisture and can be harmful. Also, you can leave these with food and go for up to two weeks and come back and the millipede will be happy and not realize you weren’t there. I think they are the best.

 

[Akvaan]

I have a Texas gold. A ten gallon can hold up to three. As for the water. I would poor water about once a week so there is a humid layer but don’t make a big so it soaks the substrate. Also I would feed foods with high water content less often than stuff like carrots because they are from the desert so they might consume too much moisture and can be harmful. Also, you can leave these with food and go for up to two weeks and come back and the millipede will be happy and not realize you weren’t there. I think they are the best.

Good info on the water, thanks for that. Some other questions if you don't mind my asking:
1. Would they need some form of heating if I prefer to keep my home cooler (mid-60's)? I've heard they do best in warmer temps.
2. I've just got a glass aquarium and don't know whether to get one of those ventilated lids they use for reptile enclosures or something else, thoughts?
3. Do you use sphagnum moss with your golds? I've heard it makes the enclosure really humid, and that they don't need nearly as much humidity as other species.

 

[Matts inverts]

The tank is good and should have a lid with mesh. I tend to have more tubs but it’s good because you can decorate and see the tank. As long as your house is above 65, it should be fine. I would not use sphag moss.

 

[goliathusdavid]

1. I would not heat Orthoporus. 70s is ideal but in my opinion better to have them slightly below that than risk all that comes with heat mats and lamps.
2. Ventilate. These need high ventilation.
3. You can mix some sphagnum into the substrate to maintain moisture, but I would not leave any on the surface. Also regarding substrate for this species, I would add quite a bit of sand in addition to your standard organic matter.
In regards to collecting them, they really only come out en masse once a year, and I believe this species may require permits to collect (just because of their skyrocketing popularity in the pet trade). Could be wrong about that though... still best to go through a dealer. In terms of breeding them a couple of individuals have claimed to have bred them, but these are mainly unsubstantiated, and no institutions have done this successfully.
On water, I actually disagree with @Matts inverts, preferring to mist daily, or twice a day lighly. Pouring also works, but I find this to be more effective. Just know you have options. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Akvaan]

The tank is good and should have a lid with mesh. I tend to have more tubs but it’s good because you can decorate and see the tank. As long as your house is above 65, it should be fine. I would not use sphag moss.

Thanks for all of the info! I appreciate the help.

1. I would not heat Orthoporus. 70s is ideal but in my opinion better to have them slightly below that than risk all that comes with heat mats and lamps.
2. Ventilate. These need high ventilation.
3. You can mix some sphagnum into the substrate to maintain moisture, but I would not leave any on the surface. Also regarding substrate for this species, I would add quite a bit of sand in addition to your standard organic matter.
In regards to collecting them, they really only come out en masse once a year, and I believe this species may require permits to collect (just because of their skyrocketing popularity in the pet trade). Could be wrong about that though... still best to go through a dealer. In terms of breeding them a couple of individuals have claimed to have bred them, but these are mainly unsubstantiated, and no institutions have done this successfully.
On water, I actually disagree with @Matts inverts, preferring to mist daily, or twice a day lighly. Pouring also works, but I find this to be more effective. Just know you have options. Hope this is helpful.

For a total beginner, how would one ensure ventilation? All I can think is to have a mesh lid, which is what I planned on doing, but any other tips would be appreciated. Good to know I have options regarding water, I guess it'll just be a matter of trying different things and seeing what's most effective for my set-up. Having never owned millipedes, any tell-tale signs it's too much or too little water before things get bad?

To pick both of your brains for the moment, the last question I can think of is do y'all keep O. ornatus with Springtails or not? I've heard they're great in millipede enclosures for mold and to muscle out other pests, but I don't know how well they do in a less humid environment. I figure they'd do fine since they show up in all parts of the globe, but never hurts to ask.

 

[Matts inverts]

The mesh lid is good ventilation. I find that pooring water is easier. I used to spray but it’s just up to your choice. For the spring tails, you could add a dry species like silvers I think. I only keep springtails with tropical or semi humid species because there is less bugs trying to get to humidity. Also, if you do add spring tails, you could just add plants in the tank and have a bio active. You could add spineless prickly pear. You would need led lights though.

 

[goliathusdavid]

Ventilation is best ensured by a mesh lid, as you suggested (probably as this as you can get). Ideal substrate moisture is really going to be a matter of feel. When crushed into a hand and the hand then opened, the substrate should have sufficient water to hold its shape and feel slightly spongey. If you crush it and water comes pouring out however, then it is far too wet. Once your substrate is mixed so that it is uniformly that consistency, it can be placed in the enclosure. Misting the top layers (especially along the sides) will then prevent water in the bottom layers from evaporating.
On springtails they should be totally fine. I don't ever put any in my enclosures but still end up with them (thats true for most institutions too). They dont pose any threat to the millipedes, or even millipede eggs (unlike isopods). If you look carefully online you should be able to find the desert species, but as they require permits to transport, which I'm going to assume you do not have, I would either try to get them from an in-state seller or just wait for them to show up . Tbh, I haven't found Orthoporus to need much of a cleaning crew (though I also gave the dozen I have an insane amount of substrate).

 

[Matts inverts]

Also is you do find mights, they are not harmful unless they crowd on the face. Don’t freak out if there is flies or anything. They just want some food. Unless the bugs are doing harm, they should be fine.

 

[Matts inverts]

Just measured mine and it’s 6 4/15 inches. Just be prepared for a big pede

 

[Akvaan]

Just measured mine and it’s 6 4/15 inches. Just be prepared for a big pede

Honestly, it's part of the reason O. ornatus interest me. I want pedes I can occasionally handle (which I've heard you can with just about all of them), but I also want them to be a bit larger, it's what turned me off of Ivories and Bumblebees. I had a 10-gallon given to me as a hand-me-down, so I want some bigger pedes to fit it.

For the spring tails, you could add a dry species like silvers I think. I only keep springtails with tropical or semi humid species because there is less bugs trying to get to humidity. Also, if you do add spring tails, you could just add plants in the tank and have a bio active. You could add spineless prickly pear. You would need led lights though.

I was actually considering Silver Springtails because I know someone nearby that has colonies of them. Any special things I'd need to do if I have plants in the tank? I know I'd need lighting, preferably that doesn't put out too much heat. Would I need to worry about drainage? I'd probably just go with an Aloe plant since I know they're native (or at least naturalized) to the same types of habitats O. ornatus are.

 

[Akvaan]

They dont pose any threat to the millipedes, or even millipede eggs (unlike isopods).

Out of curiosity, are isopods just an issue for millipedes if you're breeding them, or just generally an issue? I've always liked isopods and I'd love to keep them at some point.

 

[Matts inverts]

I have a pothos in my tank. I have a spot where I poor my water so the pothos isn’t dying but it’s also growing very slowly. If you do go with plants. I recommend finding a small agave pup. They get big so you have to pull it when it outgrows the tank. The isopods are an issue for the millipede because if it molts. They walk on the millipede and bite the shed when it’s still on the millipede but the exoskeleton has not hardened so it might kill it. I want beetles in the tank but I don’t know if it will hurt him so I haven’t yet.

 

[goliathusdavid]

Out of curiosity, are isopods just an issue for millipedes if you're breeding them, or just generally an issue? I've always liked isopods and I'd love to keep them at some point.

Isopods are great, and I like them too! However, they become an issue with millipedes for two reasons. Firstly, they are believed to eat millipede eggs, preventing major issues for breeding. Secondly, they add a competitive factor for the millipedes, and even with enough food for both, you're going to end up with a tank choc full of isopods with a few millies in there. I also want to emphasize that I don't know a single species of isopod on the market that would naturally share the same environment as Orthoporus ornatus so it's especially not recommendable for that species.
As for plants, I don't advise them either, though I suppose its hard to object to something native to Orthoporus habitat.

 

[Akvaan]

I have a pothos in my tank. I have a spot where I poor my water so the pothos isn’t dying but it’s also growing very slowly. If you do go with plants. I recommend finding a small agave pup. They get big so you have to pull it when it outgrows the tank. The isopods are an issue for the millipede because if it molts. They walk on the millipede and bite the shed when it’s still on the millipede but the exoskeleton has not hardened so it might kill it. I want beetles in the tank but I don’t know if it will hurt him so I haven’t yet.

Do you light your enclosure to help the Pothos grow, or does it just handle itself with minimal light? I don't want to worry about either the price of good lighting or harming the millis.And fair about isopods.

Isopods are great, and I like them too! However, they become an issue with millipedes for two reasons. Firstly, they are believed to eat millipede eggs, preventing major issues for breeding. Secondly, they add a competitive factor for the millipedes, and even with enough food for both, you're going to end up with a tank choc full of isopods with a few millies in there. I also want to emphasize that I don't know a single species of isopod on the market that would naturally share the same environment as Orthoporus ornatus so it's especially not recommendable for that species.
As for plants, I don't advise them either, though I suppose its hard to object to something native to Orthoporus habitat.

More fair reasons not to keep isopods with millis! I don't know about on the market, but Porcellio scaber and Armadillidium vulgare live all throughout Texas, including in the drier parts of West Texas, where O. ornatus live: don't know how, but the hardy little buggers have managed. Fair on plants too, for me it simply comes down to inexperience: my first milli tank probably shouldn't also be my first time keeping a plant. Unless I can get some really solid advice on keeping them in milli enclosures, I'll just chalk it up to something to try in the future when I'm a little more experienced: one step at a time and all of that.

 

[Matts inverts]

If you have a spineless prickly pear plant or one with really small stickers, it might work in the tank.

 

[goliathusdavid]

More fair reasons not to keep isopods with millis! I don't know about on the market, but Porcellio scaber and Armadillidium vulgare live all throughout Texas, including in the drier parts of West Texas, where O. ornatus live: don't know how, but the hardy little buggers have managed. Fair on plants too, for me it simply comes down to inexperience: my first milli tank probably shouldn't also be my first time keeping a plant. Unless I can get some really solid advice on keeping them in milli enclosures, I'll just chalk it up to something to try in the future when I'm a little more experienced: one step at a time and all of that.

I was not aware that those two species range extended that far! A little scary actually, since they're not native. Your logic is totally sound, and you have clearly been doing your research. I wish you the best of luck in all your millipede keeping endeavors!

 

[Matts inverts]

Pothos needs no extra light. All it needs is a room temp environment with some moisture. Even though it’s a tropical plant, it can take a lot before it starts to die