Eupalaestrus campestratus death

[Chris Taylor]

A few days ago my Eupalaestrus campestratus died. I found him/her (unsure of sex) in the classic death curl position, with white stuff around the mouth area. Can anyone tell me what may've caused his/her death? Any help/guidance would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Stephen jordan]

First thing is if you have any other T's make sure they are safe and out of the way. Start making sure all feeding utensils etc are clean for use with each spider. I don't have any idea what this is but it could possibly spread if it is an infection of some type...Better to be safe than sorry.

[Steven Hindmarch]

Hello Chris,

this looks like a classic case of nematodes. Nematodes are a widely spead parasite (worm) in the hobby. This parasite is mainly found in the tanks substrate caused by parasites "in" the larvae from the "scuttle fly" or also known as phorid fly (family Phoridae). They are a wormlike parasite who infest the T´s as a host and slowly eat it from inside. It is found mainly in wet or damp areas of the tank.
An antidote has been developed but i have to find out about it from a german specialist named Frank Schneider.

The best thing to do is to take the tank away from your others and clean it with very hot water and some alcohol.
I also advise you desinfect your cleaning and feeding utilities.
If you have the possibility please change the substrate of your other tanks, because the larvae "live" in it.
You can also check if you have tiny black flies around your tanks or substrate.
As a precaution you can also put sticky yellow flystraps near the tanks.

A helpful enemy against the larvae are, as i had already posted once, white isopods (Trichorhina tomentosa).

Best regards Steve

[phil bates]

i've seen this on a vet program a guy had the same problem with a red knee the vet took a swab of the foam and put it under a microscope and confirmed it was an infestation of parasitic worms round the mouth he had to put the spider to sleep as there was no treatment for it he told the guy to sterilize everything the spider had been in if he was goin to use it again

[Chris Taylor]

Thank you for your help and advice. I have already ditched the contents of his enclosure. i.e. the substrate, waterbowl, fake plant and plant pot cave. I put the T in the freezer to ensure he was fully dead and to hopefully kill the nasty, whatever it was, that killed him. I had noticed a few small flies around, but I assumed they were fruit flies - but perhaps they are the parasitic ones. I'll check in my other T enclosures for them and change their substrates. I have used coir substrate in the past is this okay?

[Steven Hindmarch]

Hey,

no problem mate. Your substrate is ok but i prefer natural potting soil without additives.
Another good method to catch those pesky little buggars are carnivourus plants like sundew. I have quite a couple of them on top of my tanks and i haven´t had any problems in years.
Regarding the fruitflies......you would recognize them because they have large red eyes. Google for Drosophila hydei or Drosophila melanogaster for a comparison. I breed them myself for very little slings when i have them.

BTW. i have got the best food for smaller tree living T´s who don´t take food so good. Search for Panchlora nivea. If anybody wants some i think we could make that work out.

Best regards Steve

[the ming cu]

hmm... you don't check your T after touching the dead T and it's enclosure right? Because it will spread the worm to the health T, which I hope don't happen. some suggest that one don't touch healthy T before you went for a bath after touching dead T die from nematodes. it is best to sterilize everything you have used on your dead T or change everything, like others have said.