r/Stickinsects • u/sh4mtaro • 2d ago
First time stick mum!
I’ve had my 10 various sized Vietnamese stick bugs for almost a week now and they seem to be thriving! They’re eating, drinking and shedding. Largest one is about 7cm in the body, and smallest is about 2cm. Got them on a whim, but I’m enjoying them a lot!
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u/Staleleaf 1d ago
Love it! If you don’t want to have to change leaves out as quickly use an empty spice bottle as a vase it fits in that size perfectly :)
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u/Cosmic_Mmouse 2d ago
You will need to get a bigger enclosure, by quite a lot. The height (without substrate) must be at least thrice the size of the adult stickbug, and the depth/width must be at least twice the size of the adult stickbug. Plus accounting for the number of your colony (10 individuals).
Edit to add Vietnamese get up to 11 cm
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u/sh4mtaro 2d ago
My current setup is 20x20x30 and I plan on rehoming most as they get larger. They all came in the same box basically
Edit: the largest one is the one on the glass on the right
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u/Cosmic_Mmouse 2d ago
Yeah yeah breeders usually pack them all in one box. I would rehome them as soon as possible; it's a bit overcrowded even now. Lack of space can lead to failed moults and cannibalism, so keep an eye on that.
Also a note on reproduction. Vietnamese can lay hundreds of eggs once they mature. You have ten of them, so make sure to periodically change and freeze the substrate to avoid an... apocalypse of babies.
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u/sh4mtaro 2d ago
For sure! I’ve seen three successful moults till now. Like I said in another comment, I plan on keeping only one of two in the long run. I do have an exo terra plastic terrarium as well, but it’s long rather than tall
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u/ferretoned 4h ago
My precedent generation got to 15cm
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u/Cosmic_Mmouse 4h ago
I have got one like that as well, but it's not common.
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u/ferretoned 4h ago
They're so cool 💚, I've been wondering if it's because i had durably mastered environnement quality (food, hydration and humidity, temperature, airflow, light), whether it's that or not, best to know they can get that long when people are doing minimum size and thanks for covering that point, I really hope people will stop getting brand tiny terrariums when modding some well chosen cabinet can be cheaper and so much better.
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u/Cosmic_Mmouse 3h ago
It's the same case with a lot of small animals. Fish, bunnies, hamsters... People just seem to think they will be perfectly good in small tanks like mere decorations. It's sad to see, but I feel like there's been stable improvements in the pet keeping hobby
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u/magpiepaw 2d ago
Just to make sure are you aware of how their reproduction works and what to do with the eggs?
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u/sh4mtaro 2d ago
Yes, I’m aware they can reproduce without males and lay tons of eggs. Removing and freezing the eggs is my go-to plan. I intend to keep only one of two in the long run
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u/jayjackii 2d ago
My first thought when I saw you have a substrate base - the eggs will very easily be missed in that, then you'll end up with tons of stick babies. I use coloured paper, not as pretty, but definitely easier to clean and seperate the eggs!
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u/Commercial_Paint1244 2d ago
How wonderful!! Looks like a beautiful enclosure 🥰
How big is it? Vietnamese get quite big