ANTSTORE World of Ants

[gizmo86]

So is there any easy exotic specie what would be nice?And not really expensive specie.

[Skippy]

Hi gizmo86 ,and welcome in this forum!

I think ,not really expensive specie (exotic) in AntStore is specie Polyrhachis dives ,very nice black-silver 1cm fo size ant from Indonesia. It is weaver ant like Oecophylla ,so you can have it on flover ,but better on start is keep them in test tube. It is polygyn specie ,so you will have no only 1 queen ,but more. If you had ever Formica specie ,this is like that. It eatting honey water and insects ,no more ,very simple. Try to look on some photos of some forums or here ,like this spec. look on ,or look on some experience of antkeepers else.

Greetings

Skippy

[gizmo86]

Yeah i have thinking about that Polyrhachis dives but i think they grow fast because can have many queens.If i am getting that specie what kind of system is best way to keep them?I have been thinking about basin+somekind of nest or does only basin enough for them?Basin would be size of 40x30x30.And how long about that size of basin would be enough for them?Starting ofc would be in test tube.

[Necturus]

Hey,
i usually point out that exotic species need all the experience one collects from the local species..especially in terms of preventing escapes. So i would suggest you to start with an european species... How about Camponotus sp. or Formica sp. ? Camponotus are the biggest european ants and have a nice polymorphism, and Formicas produce very nice colours:) For example, Have a look at F. cunicularia and F cinerea.
Your 40x30x30 Tank is suitable for the first year for about any species. But after that, you will have to continue to add more Tanks as the colony grows. Maybe starting with 60x30 is a better move.
Greetings

@Skippy: Hey, i think because of the incest they conduct and the rapid growth of colonies, Polyrachis dives are absolutely no starter species. Please dont go on telling Beginners they mean no problem. Nesting behaviour is of course very interesting, but the backsides have been pointed out a lot. Beginners tend to ask for exotic species, a friendly "no" is better then a "yes" without any concerns expressed.
Greetings,
Necturus

[gizmo86]

Yea maybe its better to start with european species.F cinerea can be one option but what about Messor barbarus or Messor spec.?

[Necturus]

Messor are considered troublesome while founding as they devour theyre own brood at times. Also the Nestconstruction takes some expertise, as you need to offer different areas in it - some moist, others very dry, paired with different temperatures for all theyre needs (seed storage,brood developement etc.)
Im a big fan of Formica cinerea, very active and fast little creatures with a distinct way of moving, and they have a very nice metallic shine in the right light.
Also, dont neglect the different Camponotus. The different sizes are very impressive, and although they grow slowly, they are very interesting. And since they are so big, you can well see the brood beeing taken care of or ants passing on food to one another.
Greetings,
Necturus

[Biolog1]

I like Messor species... Now I have some experience with our Slovakia species, and I´m looking for Messor barbarus. I think, Necturus have true with that, than you need some experience with your´s country species... But Polyarchis dives is also beautifull... too..

[JimmyVe]

Hi gizmo86 and welcome,

I must say i agree with Necturus, it is always better to start with an 'easier' European species, i now exotic ants are sometimes more interesting, but European ants are a lot of fun to. I is better having a bit of experience before taking a exotic species.

Happy ant keeping.

[gizmo86]

I have ordered one Camponotus Herculeanus queen and should arrive soon.But i am trying to get now some other specie cos Camponotus grows slower.Messor's would be nice so like to get help what i should buy for them.

edit:Like basin 40x30x30 and betonnest 290 x 160 x 50 mm.

[Varban]

Messor are considered troublesome while founding as they devour theyre own brood at times. Also the Nestconstruction takes some expertise, as you need to offer different areas in it - some moist, others very dry, paired with different temperatures for all theyre needs (seed storage,brood developement etc.)
Necturus

Tell me about it , i can't teach my queen to eat the eggs or larvae instead of the puppaes

[gizmo86]

Here is some stuff what i have thinking about.I make 2 x Ytong stone nest's and connect them to 40x30x30 basin.First Ytong stone nest is for moist (60 x 20 cm) and another one is dry for seeds (30 x 20 cm).But what sand/ground i should use on arena?

link for shopping cart:
antstore

[Skippy]

@Necturus

Sorry I dont know ,if gizmo86 has experience with European ants ,I thought he has... so sorry.

So it is 100 percent true what told Necturus and other guys ,to start with ants you must keep European species ,because If you will have trouble with exotic spec. you will not know what to do ... and when exotic ant die ,it bigger problem like when die some ant from your garden . If you are beginner ,I think ,to start is good some Lasius spec. ,later you can try Camponotus or Formica .

.really sorry for my bad answer ,in fact I dont know who newbie is beginner or if he has experience ,sorry

Thanks

Skippy

[Necturus]

No need to be sorry Skippy, i just wanted to point out i understand peoples enthusiasm for exotic species it was not a bad answer, i just think its usefull to think about bad problems before:)

Gizmo, 2 separate Nests are the best way to go. connect them with a short and nontransparent(!) tube. I think the size of the Ytong is way to big for the start, you will probably be fine with 2 or 3 chambers on each side for a few months when you start out with a single queen. Sand/Loam will be ok as groud material, wet it once, then let it dry out, and it will form a resistant and solid underground.

Varban, so i heard, must be very annoying;) Tried not checking up on her as often? Some quiet time can work miracles

Greetings, Necturus

[gizmo86]

Yea i make first little nest's at start and then upgrade it for bigger one.Getting 4 Ytong stones some different sizes so can make different one's.What u mean by "nontransparent" tube dont know that word

[miszt]

opaque or non-see-thru