I just got a Petco 10-gallon glass tank for free, so I'm thinking of doing a little beetle keeping. I love entomology, and I'm an antkeeper, but beetle keeping is new to me. Can I get some recommendations for a cheap, relatively small beetle species that's around half an inch, colorful, has cool patterns, and is fascinating to watch? I'd also prefer for them not to have to eat any animal prey, and that their population will self-replenish, but not explode so much that the tank is crowded. Thank you!
Beetle species suggestions and tips
- Thread starter isegal
- Start date
A lot of flower beetles would do great communally in a 10 gallon. Our native species such as Cotinis sp, and Gymnetis thula fits the bill. If you want to lean towards exotic species Pachnoda sp and Dicronorhina derbyana are also great. Make sure to have a mostly solid lid so that the humidity of the substrate doesn't escape too much.
Eduardo
Pupa
It sounds like darklings are what you’re looking for! Even though they usually aren’t colorful, they come in all shapes and sizes, some with pretty cool patterns. They are extremely low maintenance and can be kept with other darkling species, and some (like the blue death feigning beetle) can easily live over 5 years.