Starting a BSFL colony

[Andee]

I have the ability to make a BSFL colony now, an indoor year round one. But my question is, should I? It seems BSFL aren't in desperate need they aren't terribly expensive and are available almost 24/7 all day and every day. Am I wrong thinking this? Should I put my time into producing a different more needed species? Or....?

 

[CJ's Exotics]

I have the ability to make a BSFL colony now, an indoor year round one. But my question is, should I? It seems BSFL aren't in desperate need they aren't terribly expensive and are available almost 24/7 all day and every day. Am I wrong thinking this? Should I put my time into producing a different more needed species? Or....?

It probably would be fun, and then you can give advice to others who are interested in breeding them. Maybe you could do some cool isopods, like the Dalmation Isopod, because in general, that would be cool, and they are little maintenance. Plus, I and many others would most likely be a customer!

 

[CamrynTheCham22]

That would be awesome! I am actually looking into buying some BSFL, and would absolutely buy from you if you started a colony.

 

[Andee]

I am starting a colony of isopods who are less easy to get in the US. Super pretty, but I am not saying their name yet because it's still uncertain. It's grasshopper season though so BSFL might have to wait cause all of a sudden I am seeing grasshoppers everywhere and I am chomping at the bit to get my colony started XD

 

[CamrynTheCham22]

Also I noticed you are leaving the forums?!

 

[Andee]

LMAO no that was just when I had a moment and was questioning stuff, I had forgotten to change it back sorry XD

 

[jamest0o0]

If it's between grasshoppers and bsfl, definitely grasshoppers. Isopods are nice, but people usually only need to buy them once(remember those GCI you sold me? There are tons of them in all of my enclosures and flower pots now lol). I would buy bsfl, they're easy to find online, but I feel the quality is hit or miss a lot and it's harder to find large ones. It's also not simple to have a colony of them going so it's something you'd have repeat buyers for.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

If it's between grasshoppers and bsfl, definitely grasshoppers. Isopods are nice, but people usually only need to buy them once(remember those GCI you sold me? There are tons of them in all of my enclosures and flower pots now lol). I would buy bsfl, they're easy to find online, but I feel the quality is hit or miss a lot and it's harder to find large ones. It's also not simple to have a colony of them going so it's something you'd have repeat buyers for.

I'm a dart frog keeper, and I would personally use them for a lot of vivariums. Plus, wouldn't you want to introduce new blood every once and a while?

 

[jamest0o0]

@CJ's Exotics of isopods? I don't bother, I have so many isopods I don't know what to do with them. They even survived in my freezing basement and outside through half the winter.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

@CJ's Exotics of isopods? I don't bother, I have so many isopods I don't know what to do with them. They even survived in my freezing basement and outside through half the winter.

What species are they?

 

[Andee]

Giant Canyon Isopods, they are like tanks once they start breeding and you have good conditions to meet their needs they never stop. Great feeders, but also can easily out eat any species you have as a cleaner crew and can be dangerous in certain enclosures for like invert clean up crews

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Giant Canyon Isopods, they are like tanks once they start breeding and you have good conditions to meet their needs they never stop. Great feeders, but also can easily out eat any species you have as a cleaner crew and can be dangerous in certain enclosures for like invert clean up crews

Have you heard of the clown isopod?

 

[CJ's Exotics]

I've never seen GCI in person, but could they be a good supplemental feeder for a juvenile chameleon?

 

[Andee]

Have you heard of the clown isopod?

Yes they actually breed super slow and are horrible cleaners for most things. They are definitely good supplement feeders for even adults in my opinion. I feed them to all sized reptiles.

The picture below is one who is about 1.5-2 years old and she is full grown finally. They become sexually mature around 4-6 months.

 

[CJ's Exotics]

Yes they actually breed super slow and are horrible cleaners for most things. They are definitely good supplement feeders for even adults in my opinion. I feed them to all sized reptiles.

The picture below is one who is about 1.5-2 years old and she is full grown finally. They become sexually mature around 4-6 months.
View attachment 201733

I might have to look into getting a culture or two. I am currently culturing only Powder Oranges, besides 2-3 species of springtail. The Powder Oranges are actually very pretty!

 

[NickTide]

For me, i usually order my bugs from someone that has bsfl because i don't want to pay shipping for two different orders.