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Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

This is a discussion on Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies within the Food, Feeders, Live, Frozen, Culturing, etc forums, part of the General Topics category; In the Hermit Crab community there are a number of people who use Sow bugs as a tank cleaner. The ...

  1. #1
    () dbolack is offline
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    Default Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

    In the Hermit Crab community there are a number of people who use Sow bugs as a tank cleaner. The eat up all the decomposing food, reproduce at a low enough rate not to overwhelm, and cohabitate well.

    Would this work with my Grey Tree Frog, or would he gorge himself on the little beasties?

    Thanks.

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    () Paul Rust is offline
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    Default Re: Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

    They make a great froggy snack.

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    () dbolack is offline
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    Default Re: Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

    Quote Originally Posted by NW Amphibian Rescue View Post
    They make a great froggy snack.
    Will I have to worry about overeating?

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    Kristy
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    Default Re: Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

    I believe overeating is not a concern with male gray treefrogs as much as the females. I have read the females will gorge themselves but I have a female gray and she stops when she is full. I guess it depends on the individual frog. But overall I would not be concerned with it.

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    jclee
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    Default Re: Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

    I have a colony of clean-up-crew sow bugs in my viv. If they are getting eaten, it's at a slower rate than they reproduce.

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    Default Re: Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

    Quote Originally Posted by adawinters View Post
    I have a colony of clean-up-crew sow bugs in my viv. If they are getting eaten, it's at a slower rate than they reproduce.
    Do you remember about how many you needed to start the colony?

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    jclee
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    Default Re: Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

    I should confess that I did not start the colony deliberately, but they hitch-hiked in on some item that I did not clean properly. My guess is that I rinsed a clump of moss that had some manner of sow bug eggs that survived the soaking/washing, and then hatched. I don't know how many there were at first. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how many are in there now. All I know is that, whenever I turn over a rock or piece or birch bark that's in the tank, there they are, scooting around. I occasionally see one drowned in the water dish, as well.

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    () dbolack is offline
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    Default Re: Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

    Quote Originally Posted by adawinters View Post
    I should confess that I did not start the colony deliberately, but they hitch-hiked in on some item that I did not clean properly. My guess is that I rinsed a clump of moss that had some manner of sow bug eggs that survived the soaking/washing, and then hatched. I don't know how many there were at first. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure how many are in there now. All I know is that, whenever I turn over a rock or piece or birch bark that's in the tank, there they are, scooting around. I occasionally see one drowned in the water dish, as well.
    I suspect they forget that even though they are crustaceans and have gills, they need to stay above the water's surface.

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    Kenny
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    Default Re: Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

    I give them to aquatic newts to, they survive long enough underwater to attrackt the newts and get eaten.

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    Default Re: Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

    I rate sow bugs right up there with roaches on the yuck meter but if you say tiger sallies will eat them I guess I will collect some and try it.
    "If you will just let me explain...I am a biophile."

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    Default Re: Pill bugs/Sow bugs/Rollie-Polies

    Tigers will eat anything and everything.
    Kurt Kunze
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    Frog Forum ~ Froschforum ~ Foro de la rana ~ Tribuna della rana ~ Forum de grenouille ~ Het Forum van de kikker
    "If evolution is outlawed, only outlaws will evolve"


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