Housing Rainbow Dung Beetles

D

Dak.the.bug

L3
Hey all!

So I just purchased seven rainbow dung beetles, and I was not thinking at the time I purchased them. Pretty sure I cannot keep them communally in a 20 gallon tank, as the males will constantly be fighting.

Could I keep a male and 2 females in a 15 gallon aquarium? I have plenty of aquariums at my disposal so it won't be an issue to use more. 

 
I kept exactly seven (five female, two males) in an 18-gallon tote with a custom lid so I could see them, and I legitimately never witnessed the males interacting with eachother at all. Then again... the entire group spent most of their time below the surface.

 
Dak.the.bug said:
Hey all!

So I just purchased seven rainbow dung beetles, and I was not thinking at the time I purchased them. Pretty sure I cannot keep them communally in a 20 gallon tank, as the males will constantly be fighting.

Could I keep a male and 2 females in a 15 gallon aquarium? I have plenty of aquariums at my disposal so it won't be an issue to use more. 
Click to expand...
Keeping seven Phanaeus together in a 20 gal. tank will definitely not be a problem.  Males may occasionally push each other around a little bit, but they're really not that prone to fighting, and certainly, they don't have the potential to actually injure each other.  Phanaeus have greatly reduced tarsal claws since they would be of no use for digging, and so unlike beetle species that climb, they have no ability to grip.

Are you planning to try to breed them?

 
Dak.the.bug said:
I have a breeding tank I am currently setting up roughly based on a study on the breeding habits of the species. I did forget to purchase the book though. 
Click to expand...
For breeding, be sure to use clayey soil - they can't construct brood chambers using organic substrate types.  The soil should also be packed, rather than loose.

 
Agree with Goliathus. They cannot potentially injure each other with such short horns and with reduced tarsal claws. As they cannot grab onto anything, they cannot push hard enough. I kept two pairs in a small container in size of about 16 oz. No fights ever occurred, but survived more than several months without any issue. It was interesting. I'm thinking about collecting some and try breed them. Please share your updates!

 
I have been looking into clay soil for them. Do you guys think I could use excavator clay? I know it hardens after being wet or whatever. 

 
Dak.the.bug said:
I have been looking into clay soil for them. Do you guys think I could use excavator clay? I know it hardens after being wet or whatever. 
Click to expand...
What you really need is a natural, clay-rich soil that's in the ultisol , alfisol or vertisol classification.  Hopefully, you can find something in your local area that will work similarly.

I'm not familiar with excavator clay, but if it hardens after being wetted, I'm sure it wouldn't be suitable, since the substrate for Phanaeus needs to be kept reasonably moist (though not soaking wet, of course).  In nature, these beetles excavate to a depth of 8 or more inches to make brood chambers.  A tank with at least 6 to 8 inches of soil would probably be adequate to prompt them to do so.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top