should I check on my larvae often?

M

Mykei

L2
I just got my goliathus goliatus larvae yesterday, it's an L2 and I'm super anxious since I can't really see it because it's in the substrate. should I check on it? if so how often? am i being too paranoid?

 
Also I just looked into Goliathus goliatus and apparently they may need more food that just substrate? is this true? thanks in advance

 
Mykei said:
Also I just looked into Goliathus goliatus and apparently they may need more food that just substrate? is this true? thanks in advance
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Yes. Almost 95% of their diet is protein. Without it, they will die. Most people feed them koi pellets containing at least 32% protein(more protein the better). Please do your research before getting the larva. I believe BIC already has the basic guidelines for keeping them. https://bugsincyberspace.com/product/goliath-beetle/

 
Oak said:
Yes. Almost 95% of their diet is protein. Without it, they will die. Most people feed them koi pellets containing at least 32% protein(more protein the better). Please do your research before getting the larva. I believe BIC already has the basic guidelines for keeping them. https://bugsincyberspace.com/product/goliath-beetle/
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I ordered some because I thought they'd just suggest it for a larger sized one, but it'll take nearly 3 weeks to get it. is there any substitutes i can use in the mean time?

 
Mykei said:
I ordered some because I thought they'd just suggest it for a larger sized one, but it'll take nearly 3 weeks to get it. is there any substitutes i can use in the mean time?
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update: i ran to my local pet store and bought some koi fish food. 35% protein. went ahead and put 5 pellets even spread in the terrarium so that no matter where it is it can get to one. worried however since I didn't give it any yesterday when it arrived.

 
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Mykei said:
update: i ran to my local pet store and bought some koi fish food. 35% protein. if i hadn't fed it any since it got here should i go ahead and double the amount suggested on the care sheet?
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try putting a few pellets at the top and see if the larva eats it. You can either increase or decrease the amount based on how much they eat. What container size are you keeping them in? Usually, smaller containers are better since they are able to find the pellets easier. 

 
Oak said:
try putting a few pellets at the top and see if the larva eats it. You can either increase or decrease the amount based on how much they eat. What container size are you keeping them in? Usually, smaller containers are better since they are able to find the pellets easier. 
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it's a terrarium I got online, it's 18x18x24 but its about 6in of substrate. i put 5 pellets in there about a inch or half in the substrate and evenly spread them out. hopefully I'm not too late or still doing anything incorrectly.

 
Mykei said:
it's a terrarium I got online, it's 18x18x24 but its about 6in of substrate. i put 5 pellets in there about a inch or half in the substrate and evenly spread them out. hopefully I'm not too late or still doing anything incorrectly.
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You aren't too late so you will be fine. How many larva are you keeping in that container? To be honest, I think a L2 should be in a container no bigger than 12oz. If you look at people rearing Goliath larva in Asia, they keep them in really small containers. Also, here is a rough idea on how to keep them: 





 
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Oak said:
You aren't too late so you will be fine. How many larva are you keeping in that container? To be honest, I think a L2 should be in a container no bigger than 12oz. If you look at people rearing Goliath larva in Asia, they keep them in really small containers. Also, here is a rough idea on how to keep them: 
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it's just the one. should I get it out and move it to a smaller container? I have a beetle jelly container I got from USBeetles but I think it's a bit too big

 
Mykei said:
it's just the one. should I get it out and move it to a smaller container? I have a beetle jelly container I got from USBeetles but I think it's a bit too big
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You can fill the jelly container around 1/4th the way. That should be sufficient. Put the pellets on top of the container so you know how many it eats in a week. 

 
Oak said:
You can fill the jelly container around 1/4th the way. That should be sufficient. Put the pellets on top of the container so you know how many it eats in a week. 
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so just take the substrate I had in there and fill it up to that 1/4th mark?

 
Oak said:
Yes. 
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update: i moved it, got the substrate mix in there to about 1/4, put about 5 pellets on the top as per the caresheet, have my heat lamp above it atm, and currently working on making the lid with small air holes to avoid pest issues. anything else i need to look out for??

 
Mykei said:
update: i moved it, got the substrate mix in there to about 1/4, put about 5 pellets on the top as per the caresheet, have my heat lamp above it atm, and currently working on making the lid with small air holes to avoid pest issues. anything else i need to look out for??
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How cold is your room? Heat lamps may not be necessary if it's not that cold. Just make sure the substrate doesn't heat up or dry out too much.

 
Oak said:
How cold is your room? Heat lamps may not be necessary if it's not that cold. Just make sure the substrate doesn't heat up or dry out too much.
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thermostat says about 71F but I like to keep my windows cracked in the room I keep it in

 
I'm not rewriting this again- look at "general beetle discussions", I posted some useful information. I don't know how to make a link, you'll just have to

type in the addresses.

 
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