Feeding trouble!

[Martin Whaley]

Hi all,
I have a little Euthelus 'Red' sling. It's real tiny, about 0.5cm across. Recently, I'm having some trouble getting it to eat. It's eaten in the past on dead food, and has moulted once since I've had it. But now it seems on hunger strike..!

I've tried fruit flies, aphids, micro crix, and chopped up dead crix. It's not having any of it. I'm starting to get a little concerned, as its abdomen is looking a little on the skinny side all of a sudden.

Any advice? What else can I try to get this little one eating again?

[angie starr]

How long is it since he has eaten? and when did he last molt?

[Martin Whaley]

Moulted about 2 weeks ago, and hasn't eaten since from what I know.

[angie starr]

If his abdomen is looking skinny it could just be he's taking his time 2 get over his last molt. Its hard 2 work out if they've eaten when feeding them on fruit flies as they r sooooooo small (I usually have quite a few escapee flies lol) I have know my spiderlings 2 molt in less than 2 weeks (but usually when they r eating well) I'd also check his temp's and humidity if ther fine just carry on offering him food every couple of days but remember 2 remove any un-eaten food. I'm sure he'll be just fine.

Good Luck

[Kate Arbon]

Have you tried giving it live prey? (I couldn't tell from your post). I used to feed all my slings pre-killed crickets but I had problems with a few of them not eating. Now I have switched to small live crickets and they eat much better. It is a pain in the backside for me tho, lol.

[Martin Whaley]

Yep, I've been trying live and pre-killed prey. I think he may have taken a little 'mashed-up cricket' over the weekend, but can't be entirely sure...
His abdoment isn't looking as skinny as it did tho, which has got to be a good sign hey.

[Nicola Dolby]

Hello,
Since I've been keeping tarantulas I've always fed my spiderlings on small maggots. You can get them from any fishing shop and they are between 0.5cm and 1cm. I pre-kill them for the litttle ones (but not mash them, the spider needs to be able to pick them up and carry them) and place them , if the spider is small I'll put the maggot in front of it and "introduce" them by pushing the maggot towards the front legs. The spider "atacks" the maggot, thinks its killed the thing and carries it off for lunch. Small maggots also have all the nutrition (apparently) that a spiderling needs and if you keep them in a tub at the bottom of the fridge they won't pupate or stink. also if its a big pot the maggots won't go off so fast (don't ask why). Hope this helps

[James Box]

hi Nicola, i have a few sizes of maggots in the fridge. i had a mass outbreak (horrible!) and realised i needed to switch to far more secure means of keeping them captive. i switched to normal sized jars, what you'd get peanut butter in.
since you say a large pot keeps them from going off, am i going to have to switch to something else?

[Nicola Dolby]

Hi James,
the honest answer is I dont know. I used to keep mine in a small tub and they went off quickly (about 1 month). Now they're in a tub about 6" x 10" and 2 months later all still wriggling! (those my spids haven't eaten that is). Sorry I can't help more.

[James Box]

that's alright, thanks Nicola
well hope they last. i don't want to mess about with tubs again. was horrible finding them everywhere. i only pray i didn't miss any...my flatmates would not be amused!

[Nicola Dolby]

I know the feeling, it happened to me once. Fortunately the tub was the only thing on the bottom shelf and maggots don't seem able to climb in my fridge! All the best.

[James Box]

yeah that's where i kept mine...unfortunately, they got in the lining round the door! i didn't have to ruin it but had to pry it open to get them out...not fun!