Water Predator Bug Thing! SO COOL.

[dukegarda]

I found this thing out in the backyard in a bucket of rain water. It's huge, well, has a 3" head to rear in length.

I have it set up in a glass bowl right now with some water at room temp, some granite stones in the bottom and some sticks for it to cling to.

I have fed it a feeder gold fish already. =D


Any info on this thing would be helpful. Links to sites are welcomed!!

Pics----- >>> Clicky Clicky <<<----

--
After a little reasearch...

So I found out it belongs to the Belostomatidae family. Giant Water Bug is it's common name. Has one of the most painful bites.

 

[beetleman]

yeah, i love those beasts,very cool hunters:clap:

 

[dukegarda]

Any idea on how long they live?

 

[beetleman]

i believe up to 3years.on the larger sp.

 

[ArachnoCrazy]

Man you are lucky I have never found a giant water bug and i have wanted one for years. I wish i could find one just chillin in a bucket in my back yard

 

[AviculariaLover]

Congrats on the good find! I've kept these as pets plenty of times... it's so much fun watching them catch fish

The care is pretty easy, they like still water, just make sure it doesn't get too gross from the dead fish and such. It would do well in a larger tank where it can swim around a bit. And they *do* fly, so you'll want a lid, or you might end up finding it somewhere else in your house!

 

[petshopguy]

I have caught two adults this spring. Luckily, they are a male and female. They began mating about 2 min after putting them in the same cage. Within two days, I had eggs. They have laid a second batch of eggs since. Unfortunately, I left the lid off and the female is now missing. I am willing to sell or trade the nymphs when they hatch. I just had to check with my state DNR and make sure it is legal to do so. It is, so I will be having plenty available for those interested. I plan on catching more. Give me feedback if you are interested.

 

[petshopguy]

PS - i am definitely willing to trade for other invertebrates

 

[Aztek]

I've killed some, woops.

 

[Black Widow88]

The pic isn't there! Could post some where else other then Facebook? I logged in thinking that would show it but nope.

Black Widow88