Need Something Else Besides Mealies....

[Haligren]

Okay, so Tiamat doesn't like crickets. She may eat one or two a week but that's it. She loves her mealies and supers, but the only sized mealies she will eat are the large ones - which I've read are sprayed with a growth hormone that may harm her. Also, they are very low in moisture and it shows: Tiamat has hardly used the bathroom at all in the last few days. Yesterday I had to give her a warm bath.

So I was looking on a website that sold feeders and they have pheonix worms and roaches listed. Which would be better to order? I've read that pheonix worms are great (this website also said they have the larger ones in stock) but one's leo may not eat them for whatever reason. I've read that a lot of people feed their leo dubia roaches but I'm afraid my in-laws may freak if I brought home a box of roaches. They've already gotten on me about the meal worm beetles escaping. :\

Which would you guys recommend?

 

[LeapinLizards]

First, don't believe EVERYTHING you read I've been feeding giant mealworms for years with no problems. I prefer Supers though.

Personally I would order the roaches, BUT, it is pointless unless you plan on breeding them and establishing a small colony. Roaches are rather expensive to just buy and feed them to the geckos. As long as you keep a lid with ventilation (I cut a hole and put a square of screen in) on the tub with the roaches, there will be no escapees. I tried feeding Phoenix worms about a year ago, and not one of my geckos touched them. I had one spit it back out. Not saying they ALL hate them, just my personal experience.

 

[LizMarie]

I've heard from a few leo owners that their leo won't eat Phoenix worms and that they have a smell but I'm not sure about that. I would get Dubias Roaches instead. Your leo will be pooping in no time. It might take her a few days to warm up to it but she'll eat it sooner or later. I'm waiting for more funds so I can purchase my Dubias and hopefully have a successful colony.

 

[Haligren]

Are dubias that easy to maintain?

 

[LizMarie]

Are dubias that easy to maintain?

From what I've heard yes and they have a lot of moisture compared to mealies. I feed my leo mealies a a few test roaches for 3days and she was pooping regularly. Now I'm back on mealies for the time being and it's everyother day or so. Yes they are that easy to maintain from what I've heard and from my limited experience with them they aren't that bad and actually fun to watch and stuff.

You just need a plastic bin, veggies (you can add water crystals if you want), food (most likely dog food), egg crates to hide in and a Heater if you would like them to breed and your set. I've also heard Adult Dubias can stay alive for longer then a year and have live births from my understanding. Plus you'll enjoy watching you leo eating them up.

 

[canadiangecko]

isn't it illegal to have roaches in canada that's what i've heard ?

 

[cuomop]

you could get new in-laws then get roaches, j/k i get daily poop from my leos on mealies

 

[gothra]

If you gecko doesn't like crickets, then there is a chance she won't like roaches either. Perhaps you can buy a very small amount to try out first. I keep a box of dubias also, but my mealworm-fans won't even look at them. The other ones that'll eat crickets will also eat the roaches.

You can also try silkworm for variety; they're good in nutrition but not everyone will eat them...leos are pretty picky eaters...