1 reply to this topic

[Vendayn]

I got the pinnacle, so nice sized for pretty much any species. And all the ants listed (except maybe Crematogaster, never had a successful colony of any Crematogaster, so no experience there) will quickly use up the space.

 

The pinnacle is still being made, but guess it takes 10-14 days (not including weekends), plus shipping. The labyrinth I believe took 3 weeks, plus a couple days. Gives time to choose what I should use.

 

Also, for the Pheidole megacephala, if I don't use them, I'm just gonna pour soapy water on their nest since they are really invasive. Only one colony around here, all the others got killed off. I gotta actually dig them up if I want them. The downside with this species is they are so small, depending how the formicarium is, they could escape easy. I had that issue with workers I put in, in the labyrinth I had. Plus, they are kinda boring to me to be honest. But they are listed because they are pretty easy to keep.

 

Pogonomyrmex rugosus I can put in a substrate setup if I don't use them, though viewing isn't as good. I can always put something in the center anyway. They are nice and large though, so I'd never have to worry about them escaping out of any formicarium. They are really awesome though, and a lot of fun to watch.

 

If I don't use the Solenopsis invicta (which has two fertile queens), I'll put them in another of Drew's formicariums I have available. Since I don't really want to use a substrate nest for them. My personal feelings kinda leans toward this species (but keep going back and forth), since they are super fun and Antscanada has an awesome Solenopsis geminata colony (kinda similar species). Plus S.invicta have bred in captivity for me, which is a huge bonus (for me). It comes with challenges...like...holy cow superman batman flash do they breed fast. I had a colony go from 1 queen and 200 workers (with no brood or very little), to over 100,000 in 6 months. Yeah...lol. That was an issue for my first actual species outside of Argentine ants that I kept Not so much an issue now. Plus it was kinda funny seeing alates flying all over the garage...my parents...not so happy ;p

 

Crematogaster species I have looks really cool and the queen is the size of Camponotus queens. But I never had a successful Crematogaster colony, so kinda would rather keep them in Drew's formicarium since I can manage them better. If they get big, then I can get another Tarheel formicarium or one of Drew's and put them in that But I put them on the list because the queen DOES have larvae now.

 

All of the species are pretty cool and interesting though. Which makes it hard to decide.

Edited by Vendayn, September 11 2016 - 10:45 PM.

[Vendayn]

I decided any formicariums I get (so the Pinnacle that I got, plus the Antscanada one that I'm getting next month. Though Antscanada takes a long time to ship supposedly, so I'll be likely waiting a while for that)...will be all going to my Acromyrmex versicolor colony.

 

My Pogonomyrmex rugosus will go into a typical substrate setup, but I'll be putting something in the middle of the plastic aquarium (only like 3 gallon size) to force them out on the outer edges. Otherwise I'll just never see them. But, I much prefer Pogonomyrmex in substrate nests as they make awesome underground colonies and tend to do better with soil to dig anyway.

 

Killed the Pheidole megacephala colony by the garage, don't need more invasive ants. I'm pretty sure that was the last colony around here. Plus they are kinda really boring. They are almost as boring as Argentine ants to keep, except the only upside is they are really easy to keep.

 

And my Crematogaster queens all died, so can't use them.

 

My Solenopsis invicta queens drowned, and I'd kinda rather focus on my Acromyrmex colony anyway.