Bioactive Questions Thread

[PabloTheCham]

Question #1:
I already have most supplies for my bioactive process, but I had a question about isopods. I have lots of isopods near me, and I was wondering if i could use those instead of ordering some. i have some zebra isopods, already, and i was wondering if they could survive in my chams enclosure, or if it is too moist? i will post all future questions on this thread, by the way.

 

[jamest0o0]

Sure you can, as long as they survive in the enclosure they should be fine. Do you know which species?

 

[PabloTheCham]

Sure you can, as long as they survive in the enclosure they should be fine. Do you know which species?

no. I have no idea how to tell the difference between species. I find them in very moist places, and they look like common grey isopods.
Do you know if my zebra isopods (armadillium maculatum) would work for this?

 

[jamest0o0]

Yup they should be great for a cham viv

 

[PabloTheCham]

Yup they should be great for a cham viv

the reason I asked is because I read online that they like it drier, but i imagine a chams substrate will be rather wet?

 

[jamest0o0]

I have zebras in a few different bins with varying moisture and humidity, they have been pretty hardy for me.

Your local ones would probably do well too, but if you mix both, one will likely outcompete the other eventually.

 

[PabloTheCham]

I have zebras in a few different bins with varying moisture and humidity, they have been pretty hardy for me.

Your local ones would probably do well too, but if you mix both, one will likely outcompete the other eventually.

I have been housing them together, is that bad? Or did you mean that they would breed and one will eventually outnumber the other?

 

[PabloTheCham]

Also, won't my cham eat the isopods that are walking around?

 

[BrothaJordan]

Question #1:
I already have most supplies for my bioactive process, but I had a question about isopods. I have lots of isopods near me, and I was wondering if i could use those instead of ordering some. i have some zebra isopods, already, and i was wondering if they could survive in my chams enclosure, or if it is too moist? i will post all future questions on this thread, by the way.

How many Zebras do you have?

 

[BrothaJordan]

Also, won't my cham eat the isopods that are walking around?

Most likely not. The Isopods will either be burrowing in the soil or crawling around on the soil. My chameleons have never hunted that low before.

 

[jamest0o0]

Some chams will ignore them, myself and others have experienced some chams that will go to the ground, even overturn leaves to eat them. Nice calcium snack.

 

[cyberlocc]

^ Said this in another thread recently, my Panther who has a HUGE cage (Double minimum size) and lots of branches that lead to the ground, goes down there at least a few times a week. When he is "Making his rounds" sometimes he goes to the bottom, and then back up, doesn't really sit down there, just checks things out and then back up. I dont have big enough isos for him to try and catch, if I did I bet he would.

 

[PabloTheCham]

How many Zebras do you have?

10-15.

 

[PabloTheCham]

^ Said this in another thread recently, my Panther who has a HUGE cage (Double minimum size) and lots of branches that lead to the ground, goes down there at least a few times a week. When he is "Making his rounds" sometimes he goes to the bottom, and then back up, doesn't really sit down there, just checks things out and then back up. I dont have big enough isos for him to try and catch, if I did I bet he would.

reading that post actually fully persuaded me to go bioactive.

 

[PabloTheCham]

This all leads me to my next question. How many isopods do I need?

 

[BrothaJordan]

This all leads me to my next question. How many isopods do I need?

I recommend Taking the 10-15 you have and put them in a Plastic Bin with Substrate and let them establish a larger colony. It might be harder for them to establish in the chameleons enclosure because it is larger and it might be harder for them to find each other.

 

[BrothaJordan]

This all leads me to my next question. How many isopods do I need?

I would say at least 50

 

[PabloTheCham]

I would say at least 50

ohhh. I will go out and get more tonight.

 

[PabloTheCham]

I recommend Taking the 10-15 you have and put them in a Plastic Bin with Substrate and let them establish a larger colony. It might be harder for them to establish in the chameleons enclosure because it is larger and it might be harder for them to find each other.

I have had my zebras in a bin for about a month, and they haven't reproduced yet. How long does it take for them to breed? Also aren't they too dry a species for my cham's enclosure? I imagine the substrate to be pretty humid.

 

[BrothaJordan]

I have had my zebras in a bin for about a month, and they haven't reproduced yet. How long does it take for them to breed? Also aren't they too dry a species for my cham's enclosure? I imagine the substrate to be pretty humid.

They should reproduce fast. If you have have had them for about a month you should see some new offspring.
What are you feeding them?
Check this video out.
Super knowledgeable when it comes to isopods.