brolloks
Arachnobaron
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2016
- Messages
- 348
Hi Everyone,
Two of my Heterometrus sp. have died.
I bought three of them a few months back and they were doing really well, really loved their behaviour. After I housed them I noticed white mites appearing in their water dish, They either had mites when I bought them or it must have come from feeders I gave them. I was told that these where grain mites.
At the start there weren't that many but with the high humidity and temperature it caused their population to explode. I replaced the substrate and separated one of the scorpions. I always ensured to remove any uneaten feeder parts as well.
The scorpions all started to show signs of an incoming moult and that is were it all went down hill.
Two of the three started showing decreased activity and just generally looking really bad. They both died shortly after. On closer inspection I noticed quite a few mites on them, even around their book lungs! Could these bloody bugger have caused my scorpions to die?
I did some research and looked for ways to remove mites and assist the only survivor.
What I did was take a container with distilled water, drop the scorpion in it and continuously monitored it. After about and hour I took it out and started to remove as many mites as humanly possible, taking care to not injure him. I found mites everywhere!
I have placed him in a clean enclosure(Made sure disinfect the old substrate and dispose of it).
He has fully recovered from the ordeal but I know there are still a few mites left on him. I feel so helpless against these little invaders!
I wouldn't mind the mites if they just stayed off the scorpion. How are you suppose to prevent them from causing your scorpion harm? I can't imagine drowning him to remove mites on a routine basis is very healthy for him.
Here are some photos of the little guy on the "Operating table" so to speak.
Two of my Heterometrus sp. have died.
I bought three of them a few months back and they were doing really well, really loved their behaviour. After I housed them I noticed white mites appearing in their water dish, They either had mites when I bought them or it must have come from feeders I gave them. I was told that these where grain mites.
At the start there weren't that many but with the high humidity and temperature it caused their population to explode. I replaced the substrate and separated one of the scorpions. I always ensured to remove any uneaten feeder parts as well.
The scorpions all started to show signs of an incoming moult and that is were it all went down hill.
Two of the three started showing decreased activity and just generally looking really bad. They both died shortly after. On closer inspection I noticed quite a few mites on them, even around their book lungs! Could these bloody bugger have caused my scorpions to die?
I did some research and looked for ways to remove mites and assist the only survivor.
What I did was take a container with distilled water, drop the scorpion in it and continuously monitored it. After about and hour I took it out and started to remove as many mites as humanly possible, taking care to not injure him. I found mites everywhere!
I have placed him in a clean enclosure(Made sure disinfect the old substrate and dispose of it).
He has fully recovered from the ordeal but I know there are still a few mites left on him. I feel so helpless against these little invaders!
I wouldn't mind the mites if they just stayed off the scorpion. How are you suppose to prevent them from causing your scorpion harm? I can't imagine drowning him to remove mites on a routine basis is very healthy for him.
Here are some photos of the little guy on the "Operating table" so to speak.
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