Sow Bugs as feeders?

[redstormlax12]

Hey i just realized sow bugs may be a great feeder but i was just wondering if anyone has bred these and fed them? Im looking to feed them to my leo's and they seem to be easily cultured.

Thanks, Connor

[Lucas339]

i have a huge colony of them. they are really easy to culture. i use them in all of my tropical invert enclosures. not sure how they would do as feeders. isopods tend to be more gut than meat so they might lack nutrition.

[redstormlax12]

Okay, Thanks. And about how big do the sow bugs get? I dont want the pill bugs since they roll up when threatened and sow bugs are said to have a softer exoskeleton.

[Lucas339]

the biggest i have in my cultures are about 1/4"...they don't get very big.

if you choose to go this route, make sure you breed them for a while before offering them as prey. most reccomend about 3 generations before using them. i have seen some pretty nasty parasites that people have posted. also try and get them from a pesticide/fertilizer free area.

[WingedWolfPsion]

I looked into them as a staple, but discovered that they concentrate metals in their exoskeleton, so should not be used as a main feeder. I still plan to use them for variety, as they're easy to raise, and their exoskeletons, unlike those of insects, have an extremely high calcium content.

Just be aware of the metals in the foods you give to them, so you can avoid their being too high in things like copper, etc.

[Lucas339]

that is interesting.