Isopods as ant food?

[adragondream]

Hi!

I recently got my first ant colony, which is C. Nicobarensis. The colony arrived from a friend, so it already has around 20 workers . I've been feeding them honey water/sugar water for sugar and boiled egg whites for protein. Recently, the queen laid her first clutch of eggs, and I've been thinking about getting some insects for them. Cockroaches, crickets and mealworms are out for personal reasons, and they don't seem interested in the fish or prawn I've offered them. I've also had bad luck with catching wild bugs (I live in the middle of the city, and I'me worried 'bout pesticides).

I'm just wondering if larger isopods would be a good source of food for them. I'd probably cut them open before I feed them because I'm pretty sure that the ants won't be able to get past the shell, and I'm thinking abou gut loading them with fresh fruit and veggies before I feed them to the ants.

Does anybody have any sort of experience with this?
What other alternative protein sources do you recommend?

Thanks,
JZ

[Antloverhuman]

I have fed my ants isopods before and they did eat it. Only concern is where you are getting them from as they may contain pesticides or parasites which can kill your colony. I got mine under a brick so there was no case of pesticides but if you are getting them from outdoor they might

[adragondream]

I have fed my ants isopods before and they did eat it. Only concern is where you are getting them from as they may contain pesticides or parasites which can kill your colony. I got mine under a brick so there was no case of pesticides but if you are getting them from outdoor they might

Thanks!

The pesticides thing shouldn't pose a problem since I'm planning on breeding them myself. One problem that might raise itself is the fact that I'm not sure if the isopods breed fast enough to become a sustainable food source. Does anyone breed isopods have any experience?

JZ

[SolenopsisKeeper]

I have fed my ants isopods before and they did eat it. Only concern is where you are getting them from as they may contain pesticides or parasites which can kill your colony. I got mine under a brick so there was no case of pesticides but if you are getting them from outdoor they might

Thanks!

The pesticides thing shouldn't pose a problem since I'm planning on breeding them myself. One problem that might raise itself is the fact that I'm not sure if the isopods breed fast enough to become a sustainable food source. Does anyone breed isopods have any experience?

JZ

Some reptile store sell starter cultures.