Two recent necropsies have revealed water crystals in the digestive tracts of two Darts being fed roaches, watered by water crystals, as the cause of death. The crystals caused intestinal tract blockage.
Those feeding Crystal watered roaches to other animals stand the same chance of blockage.
Time to find another water source.
Rich
I don't think "man that sucks" is the right phrase. Sorry to hear to hear about the frogs.
I use Flucker's Cricket Quencher. It is like Jello. Probably is Jello now that I think about it. It is wetter than Jello though, but same consistency.
How big are "water crystals"?
Hi Josh,
The crystals can expand to almost an inch in diameter.
I think jello or fruits will be the way to go now.
Rich
I can't really imagine roaches needing a special form of water delivery. But then I've only worked with blatta latterallis.
Fruits and veggies are probably better anyway.
Do you know what roaches were being used?
Hi Brian,
M Hissers and another type I am not sure of.
Ed K suggested the crystals may have been carried in by the roaches's mandibles as they sometimes are known to carry food stuffs off from the feeding or 'watering" area.
Rich
Yeah, I have seen that happen with the latterallis, seen them carry kibbles of dog food that probably weighed more than they did!
Must have been some pretty big eatin' frogs, I thought the latterallis nymphs were about as small as you can get, and they are still a little large for many darts, from what I have seen.
Like I said, I think fruits and veggies are the way to go anyway, but I would guess that the "water crystals" would be fine, provided you could ensure they are 100% hydrated all the time...so that you don't have a dry crystal rehydrating in the frog.
But then, why bother with cystals, if you are going to constantly add water?