120 replies to this topic

[Kennethlwr]

Hi everyone, my name is Ken and I am a new Ant Keeper from Singapore, Asia.

5 weeks ago I purchased my very 1st colony of Carebara Diversa in a test tube set up with about 40 workers with Queen and broods. I was very shock and find it cool at the size difference of the queen and workers are so huge compared to other species.

I will share with you all my journey here and hope to learn many things from you all along the way too!

 

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Edited by Kennethlwr, August 11 2020 - 12:48 AM.

[Antkid12]

Good luck!

[Kennethlwr]

I researched and found out that this sp preferred substrate so I bought cocopeat and it was amazing to see how the worker ants working so hard to build a tunnel within the test tube to protect the queen and her eggs, sort of creating a barrier to the “outworld” within the test tube.

Anyway, I got so excited that I ordered a plaster side wall formicarium and a tank and some decorations as I can’t wait to move them into the new formicarium when they grow to about 50-60 workers! Will update very soon after I arrange the photos!

Seems like I can’t upload videos here is it?

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Edited by Kennethlwr, August 9 2020 - 9:45 AM.

[TechAnt]

You can upload YouTube links but I’m not sure if you ca post videos directly from like, your photo library.

[CatsnAnts]

This genus is definitely one of my favorites, I’m really jealous. Good luck!

[ponerinecat]

My advice, wait for more workers before moving. Carebara are pretty sensitive ants and won't appreciate a rough move into an oversized nest.

[123LordOfAnts123]

Looks like C. affinis, not diversa.

[TechAnt]

Looks like C. affinis, not diversa.

Uh. How can you tell?

Also I love how the queen is like a tank compared to the workers in size.

Edited by TechAnt, August 9 2020 - 1:31 PM.

[Antkid12]

 

Looks like C. affinis, not diversa.

Uh. How can you tell?

Also I love how the queen is like a tank compared to the workers in size.

 

Yeah I know, its incredible!

Edited by Antkid12, August 9 2020 - 2:45 PM.

[Leo]

Remember, humidity and temperature are very, very, very important. Mine died because I neglected those two factors.

[Kennethlwr]

Thanks all for the advise!!

By the way this is the new set up that I prepared for them.

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[Kennethlwr]

After keeping them in a test tube set up for about 2 weeks, I am ready to introduce them to the new formicarium/ outworld. I went ahead to place their test tube in and open the cotton to let them explore.

After 1-2 hours.. I realised a mistake that I have done. I should not have put the driftwood inside the tank, or perhaps it’s because the humidity of the plaster formicarium is not to their liking. End up they all moved, but not into the formicarium instead they all move under the driftwood. The workers carrying all the broods and disappear under the wood. means I can’t get to see my queen and brood in action!

I can either leave them and hope when they grow bigger they will move or I can try to move them in near future...

 

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Edited by Kennethlwr, August 11 2020 - 12:48 AM.

[DDD101DDD]

Well the colony is too small for the formicarium, so it was probably better for them to nest in the dirt.

[Kennethlwr]

Yea.. oh well.. I left them be and see how it goes for about 2 weeks.

I fed them their 1st earthworm meal and they loved it! Previously they only eat mealworm! Probably because earthworm does not have any shell, the earthworm can be attacked from all direction and they quickly brought their kill into their nest!

The workers are really to small to be seen in close up.

 

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Edited by Kennethlwr, August 11 2020 - 12:49 AM.

[TechAnt]

Awesome! They must appreciate prey that does not have a bit of armor.

Edited by TechAnt, August 9 2020 - 9:55 PM.

[Antkid12]

Nice!

[ponerinecat]

Honestly better that they moved under the wood, at least for now when they're so small. 

[Kennethlwr]

After leaving them under the wood for 2 weeks.. I noticed that the workers are growing as whenever feeding time, there are more workers coming out to hunt. But I still can’t see any majors coming out to hunt yet, and I really want to see the queen and her broods while they grow..

So one day I decided to... force move them! I know it’s abit bad.. but in a way it can help them to grow faster and better as the wood is not very big as well.

What I did was I removed everything in the tank, except for the wood and the formicarium. Then I lift up the wood, causing them to panic and starts to scramble (sorry!). Then I place the wood near to the opening of the formicarium. But what I saw was the most amazing view of my life!! A close up of the whole colony!! I get to see the queen, the massive broods and Guess what? I saw some majors as well!! And the best thing is, I saw a soon to be super major brood! The egg is like the size of the queen butt! So cool!!

After about 5-10mins, they starts to find another place to nest, and finally! They found the opening of the formicarium
And proceed to carry all the broods into the formi! After another about 5-10mins, the Queen starts to make her way into the formicarium as well, escorted by workers trying to cover her up and a major leading the way.

Soon they starts to settle down into their new formicarium! Will update more photos of inside the formicarium soon!

 

 

 

 

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Edited by Kennethlwr, August 11 2020 - 12:51 AM.

[Kennethlwr]

Alright!! This is how the inside of the formicarium looked soon after they have moved in, I noticed that the workers are trying to cover the broods and queen using the dirt to protect her.. but I know the colony will grow better and faster inside here.

To reward them.. I feed them another earthworm!!

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Edited by Kennethlwr, August 12 2020 - 4:24 AM.

[DDD101DDD]

How has it been 2 weeks? The last update was yesterday???