Dubia question

[sean8172]

I recently started a colony, and one of the dubia looks very strange. The best word I can think of is "deformed". I thought maybe someone with some experience might comment, and give me some idea what this might be?

 

[sean8172]

Here's a another picture, if it might help.

 

[gilliesexotics]

Hi, this will typically happen for a couple reasons.
1. Over crowding with males.
2. Not enough hydration or food
3. Not enough space.

 

[sean8172]

Thanks gillie. That's the only one like that, and it's otherwise normal. There's maybe 500 in a 10 gallon right now (varying in size), as I just started this colony earlier this week. Based on your description, I would have to say this dubia came to me that way. Should I feed it out, or will it possibly improve?

 

[Augie]

Those are usually the first ones I feed out.

Gillie has good advice. Do as hard a count as you can on your males and females. I used to have about a 50/50 ratio, so my males were always tearing each other up. I've since culled many of them to get it closer to a 1/5 ratio. If your ratio is fine ensure there are water crystals in there at all times and make sure you are giving them enough food that has protein.

 

[sean8172]

Of the 400 or so I have in this 10 gallon aquarium, there are five adult males (including the one in the picture). The rest are nymphs, or sub-adults, at best. I don't think it's a ratio issue. I think the male came to me that way. I think I'll leave him, just to see if he'll get better. I make sure they have plenty of polymer, and food. I use home-made chow that's made primarily from cereal, and high protein dog food. I have stopped using cat food, as it was suggested that isn't good. If I don't have some made, I either get some from my "bug guy", or I go by some Flukers. This is actually my first attempt at a colony, and I just started "building" it. Any advice will be gladly accepted.

 

[Augie]

Nice... but 400 in a 10-gallon aquarium seems like a lot. Have you considered putting them in one of those $6 Sterillite tubs you can buy at Lowe's or Walmart? They are really easy and cheap to set up, hold heat much better, plus as long as you get one that's opaque it will be dark enough for them. Both places sell red and green ones for the holidays. Even if there's enough room for them, also consider that your colony will continue to grow.

 

[sean8172]

Not to come across as a jerk, but you do know that the surface area (the bottom) of a ten gallon fish tank is about same as one of those containers, right? I've contemplated moving the colony to a plastic tub for heart retention, but a ten gallon tank (with plenty of egg cartons) is more than enough room for thousands of bugs. They need very little room. I've had 4,000+ in a large cricket keeper. Just sayin.
That being said, thank you very much for your advice. It is truly always welcome. I wouldn't post here if I didn't want other ideas. :-D