Phoenix Worm Care

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Sorry if its been asked a thousand times, but I jumped on WestCoastRoaches sale on FB for some Phoenix Worms. 100 large, question is: They say they will only live a week in the cup. As I only have one chameleon and I don't think I should/want to feed him 14 worms a day how can I prolong their life?

Also, should I supplement calcium the same?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[laurie]

The great thing about phoenix worms is they require nothing for care - yes nothing. You get the container, sit it on a shelf, and feel as usual. I dust them when I feed but that is it, mine live for weeks.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Sorry if its been asked a thousand times, but I jumped on WestCoastRoaches sale on FB for some Phoenix Worms. 100 large, question is: They say they will only live a week in the cup. As I only have one chameleon and I don't think I should/want to feed him 14 worms a day how can I prolong their life?

Also, should I supplement calcium the same?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Keep them cool and you might prolong larva stage a little. Then they will pupate and then you will have soldier flies.

No need to calcium dust. But you should gutload.

more info:
Keeping/breeding feeders
http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/bsf-b...r-version-2-1/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/membe...der-flies.html
http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/forum/

 

[laurie]

Keep them cool and you might prolong larva stage a little. Then they will pupate and then you will have soldier flies.

No need to calcium dust. But you should gutload.

more info:
Keeping/breeding feeders
http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/bsf-b...r-version-2-1/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/membe...der-flies.html
http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/forum/

How cool is that? What do you gut load phoenix worms with? I always worried as I was always told to sit them on the shelf and that is all I have done all these years.

 

[Randi]

Sorry if its been asked a thousand times, but I jumped on WestCoastRoaches sale on FB for some Phoenix Worms. 100 large, question is: They say they will only live a week in the cup. As I only have one chameleon and I don't think I should/want to feed him 14 worms a day how can I prolong their life?

Also, should I supplement calcium the same?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

I jumped on the same grab.

 

[deadhd5]

This is so cool.. I want to try the BSF composter now! Theres another reason to wish I lived in a warmer climate...

Sandra, can you elaborate on your procedure for gutloading phoenix worms? Do you toss the veggies in with the sawdust? Any preferable veggies? Thanks!

Keep them cool and you might prolong larva stage a little. Then they will pupate and then you will have soldier flies.

No need to calcium dust. But you should gutload.

more info:
Keeping/breeding feeders
http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/bsf-b...r-version-2-1/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/membe...der-flies.html
http://blacksoldierflyblog.com/forum/

 

[nick barta]

Phoenix Worms

Phoenix Worms 101:

1) Buy from Phoenixworms.com. Every supplier buys from the source, so if the PW have sat at the supplier, you get less life. If the supplier stored the PW above 60 degrees F you get less life. $5.99 at Phoenixworms.com.

2) Buy Medium, not Large. Mediums are barely smaller, and don't begin to pupate as fast as the Large.

3) Store at 55-60 degrees F, they will last for weeks.

4) No gut loading needed. PW are not a food, but more of a Calcium vitamin. The PW medium in the cup is all they need.

5) Make sure the lid is FIRMLY on when you reseal. If the lid is not completely sealed, the PW will pupate faster, and dry up.

6) You can feed off the adult flies, just leave the lid off in the chameleon enclosure.

Nick Barta

 

[sandrachameleon]

People will say gutloading is not necessary for these or butterworms, because they are nautrally high in calcium.
But I have to counter with : why would you not add to their basic nutritional value by gutloading? Its not like calcium is the only thing chameleons need in their diet and its easy to gutload them.

Both Pheonix worms (solider fly maggots) and butterworms will at most any softish vegetable. For example, the last time I had some, they happily ate quite a bit of lightly steamed (and cooled) butternut squash. Give your pheonix worms any kind of kitchen scraps and I expect they'll eat it. They are very efficient versitle little things.

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

Thanks for the help everyone

Guess I shoulda bought directly from the site. Just saw the deal and went for it as my guy is still growing.

Also will gutload, but should I also keep them in the refrigerator?

 

[dom1959]

well, i got some also. my question is how many to feed my veiled is about 3 months old and i usually give him about 12 crix...

 

[sandrachameleon]

well, i got some also. my question is how many to feed my veiled is about 3 months old and i usually give him about 12 crix...

those are small crickets, right?
so you could more or less replace one small cricket with one soldier fly maggot. They're not really offering the same things, so go with a mix if at all possible. 3 or 4 crickets, 3 or 4 maggots, with a couple other things. The more variety in diet the better. At that age, go with as much as he can eat in about 5 minutes, 3 times a day or so.

 

[pigglett79]

I have fed my phoenix worms many different veggies and they have devoured all of them.

 

[dom1959]

those are small crickets, right?
so you could more or less replace one small cricket with one soldier fly maggot. They're not really offering the same things, so go with a mix if at all possible. 3 or 4 crickets, 3 or 4 maggots, with a couple other things. The more variety in diet the better. At that age, go with as much as he can eat in about 5 minutes, 3 times a day or so.

thx, that is what i am trying although probably more like 5 phoenix worms, 5 small/med crix, 1 mealworm and 1 small dubia, he doesn't always eat all the crix though. does that seem reasonable?