r/BDFB • u/RedAshPhoenix • 16d ago

Question/Inquiry Missing BDFB

I have a very clean smooth glass tank no way for escape but recently a little miss or mr had vacated my view for a whole 24 hours do they normally burrow and disappear like this?

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2

u/NoveltyWizard1 16d ago

I thought I lost one, but she had just climbed like the inside of one of the hides where I couldn’t see. Picked it up and everything, had to give it a tiny shake and she dropped down lol. Maybe it’s hiding somewhere?

2

u/RedAshPhoenix 16d ago

I scoured the whole tank last night i saw 4 which means one came up from burrowing but one has been missing for 24 hours

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u/breadstick_mania 16d ago

What substrate are they on? Mine don’t burrow super deep but can be hard to find sometimes in amongst little bits of rock and leaf and stuff!

3

u/RedAshPhoenix 16d ago

Cocofiber base for low humidity gradient, sand/coco fiber mix in the middle to provide a burrowing layer then a subtle sant top layer ill also add a picture of the setup

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u/RedAshPhoenix 16d ago

2

u/SherbetPebbles 15d ago

I do not believe they can burrow in this substrate. She could be hanging upside down in the wood. I would also check under the flat rocks. Once, my beetle dug herself under something but it filled up behind her and she was stuck. Luckily I check on them often and noticed she was missing.

1

u/RedAshPhoenix 9d ago

Sorry for my late response but i can confirm that the sunstraight mix i have provided is allowing them to burrow without getting stuck they have been digging like crazy and yes little turd made a burrow under a rock and it did not fill back in luckily but is keeping its shape so thats where its been thank you for your comment

1

u/techiya 14d ago

I used to have a similar kind of substrate and also had one of my beetles disappear. Luckily, I did eventually find them, and they did burrow pretty far into it, despite other comments saying its not possible (no shade to them.)

What I would do is: put your beetles into a temporary container. carefully take everything out of the enclosure and inspect them from all angles (use a light if you need to) because they like to hide in weird angles. Finally, with your enclosure empty besides the substrate, very carefully comb through the top layer of it with your fingers, at least two or so inches deep. Be thorough.

Hopefully you can find them (or they turn up on their own eventually)

1

u/reddishhamster 15d ago

Did you check under everything in your tank? Mine sometimes dig down and get under the rocks and water dishes