15 replies to this topic

[KingLarryXVII]

I recently came to own a 120g(2'x4') aquarium+stand that I'm looking to convert into a formicarium and I was wondering if anyone has ever had success with hosting multiple colonies in a sufficiently sized outworld?  I understand conflicts on the surface might be inevitable, but if there are species that won't take it to the next level and actually raid nests, it seems like it might work.

 

Has anyone tried this before?  If so, does anyone have any recommended species (Michigan)?

 

Worst case, I can divide the outworld into two, but wanted to get opinions before I went there.

 

Thanks everyone!

[Loops117]

i am following this thread. I have a couple large reef tanks that i would love to use as a giant outworld for multiple colonies. I know certain species do this often in the wild, but that may be due to having endless space.

 

Next year i plan on doing this myself unless it can't be done.

 

Good Luck.

[KingLarryXVII]

This is definitely going to be a 'Next Year' project, if not longer if I have to develop the right colonies.  Would definitely be interested in seeing yours as it progresses though!

[sgheaton]

This was my original plan. I had a big ole fishtank that I was going to segregate -- but for saw all sorts of problems then. If I had a problem with one colony...I don't want to work on it and then mess up my other one. Definitely outside of my skill zone.

 

Going about it in a "more friendlier community" style might be easier.....Good luck. I've got multiple species commingling (I think) in the backyard, so why couldn't they cooperate (IF GIVEN ENOUGH ROOM)?? I'll be interested in seeing which species and how they get along...next year

 

Edit: You're going to be the pioneer doing all the scientific research that all of us will defer back to when we try to recreate this!

Edited by sgheaton, September 6 2016 - 8:56 AM.

[T.C.]

Hey KingLarryXVI, I will be likely tryng to do something like this. Only mine will be a a lasius niger and lasius alienus colony using the sma foraging area. we'll see. I conduct alot of tests, such as giving ant colonies eggs fro a different species of ant colony. This is of course a working process but it appears to be doing good so far.

 

[Mdrogun]

This almost never works, unless you selectively select species. You need a ton of space to have 2 colonies foraging in the same area.

[Canadian anter]

I've had temnothorax and camponotus live together

[KingLarryXVII]

Yeah, I completely agree that species selection is key.  Now I need to hunt down a Michigan native Temonothorax...It would be very interesting keeping a slave-making species in with its host species, but I imagine the host would not last long at all.

[Canadian anter]

You could use inquilists

[NZAntKeeper]

Could you do something like make a sort of thick line between both the colonys out world's and somehow use something that doesent absorb water so there will be a big line through the outworld separating one from another but it could also act as their drinking water? I don't know could work?

[Pyrosmog]

Like a river deciding the two halves? That would be legit!

[NZAntKeeper]

Yea

[Goldsystem]

Thief ants don't attack colony's their with ( I think )

[NightsWebs]

Ants are territorial as they claim resources if resources become endangered or even perceived in danger conflict would be inevitable.

[Works4TheGood]

If it were me, I might use that tank as a climate-controlled display case for showing multiple colonies, each one in its own formicarium in the display case. The trouble is, a tank with those dimensions is probably close to 30 inches deep, which might make maintenance inconvenient, unless you plan around that problem.

[Batspiderfish]

Gotta be good at taking care of one colony before thinking about taking care of two in the same enclosure. If you're going to divide the colonies with water, you might as well give them safe, separate enclosures to begin with.