Avicularia avicularia sling refusing food

[Dusty1]

I got a 1cm Avicularia avicularia sling last Tuesday but I can’t get it to eat, I know it’s only been 5 days but I’m a little worried as it is so small and it’s abdomen looks small compared to its carapace, I’ve tried pre killed tiny crickets and flightless fruit flies so far.
Does this sound normal?
Anyone have any other ideas in terms of food for it?
Cheers

 

[Konstantin]

Hi
Post a pic of the enclosure setup.
Otherwise is just a guessing game.
Regards Konstantin

 

[Dusty1]

Hi
Post a pic of the enclosure setup.
Otherwise is just a guessing game.
Regards Konstantin

Here’s a few pics

 

[Josh]

good looking enclosure. I don't see any immediate issues. I know you're probably nervous and anxious but I would try to feed once per day and that's it. Anything more and you might be stressing him out more than is necessary

 

[Phil]

did you have any moult history from the last owner/store?

The colours are very pink so may have recently moulted. If that's the case, several days is always recommended before offering food (5 to 7 days normally)

The abdomen in the pics shared when I have zoomed in does not look overly skinny to me. If there is webbing or areas on the side of enclosure, put a few drops of water for the sling to drink if you dont already have a cap with water.

Apart from that, follow what @Josh has already advised. And don't overly wet/mist the enclosure.

Hope that helps

 

[Dusty1]

good looking enclosure. I don't see any immediate issues. I know you're probably nervous and anxious but I would try to feed once per day and that's it. Anything more and you might be stressing him out more than is necessary

Ok thanks Josh

what would you say is the best option for food, pre killed tiny crickets or flightless fruit flies? or something else entirely?

 

[Dusty1]

did you have any moult history from the last owner/store?

The colours are very pink so may have recently moulted. If that's the case, several days is always recommended before offering food (5 to 7 days normally)

The abdomen in the pics shared when I have zoomed in does not look overly skinny to me. If there is webbing or areas on the side of enclosure, put a few drops of water for the sling to drink if you dont already have a cap with water.

Apart from that, follow what @Josh has already advised. And don't overly wet/mist the enclosure.

Hope that helps

Thanks Phil

No unfortunately no moult history, that’s a good point though, maybe I should leave alone for a day or so and then try again

 

[Phil]

Thanks Phil

No unfortunately no moult history, that’s a good point though, maybe I should leave alone for a day or so and then try again

you are welcome. In response to your other question to Josh. I take the "Jurassic Park" approach where I can. I will explain. Goat comes out for the T-rex and refuses it. Dr Grant says 'T-Rex doesn't want to be fed, she wants to hunt'. The point being ideally always feed live food (usually no larger than the size of abdomen). Micro crickets or L2 crickets should be fine at that size (approx 2cm I am guessing?). if you cant get any that small, pre kill but try to drop close to the T so that any body twitches from the dead cricket provoke an attack response.

 

[Arachnoclown]

A sling the size of yours I dump about 10 fruit flies in there...your not just putting one in there are you?.

 

[Josh]

For a sling that hasn't yet fed it may not be a good idea to toss 10 in there that you'll then have to subsequently fish out.
Throw 2-3 live fruit flies in there after 24-36 hours of being left alone. She'll take.

 

[Dusty1]

A sling the size of yours I dump about 10 fruit flies in there...your not just putting one in there are you?.

I was doing a couple at a time! Ile try a few more next time then. Would yours eat all 10 then or would you end up removing whatever is left later on?

 

[Dusty1]

For a sling that hasn't yet fed it may not be a good idea to toss 10 in there that you'll then have to subsequently fish out.
Throw 2-3 live fruit flies in there after 24-36 hours of being left alone. She'll take.

Ok ile give that a try. Cheers

 

[Josh]

Pinhead crickets would be a perfectly fine alternative if that's all you can find

 

[Arachnoclown]

For a sling that hasn't yet fed it may not be a good idea to toss 10 in there that you'll then have to subsequently fish out.
Throw 2-3 live fruit flies in there after 24-36 hours of being left alone. She'll take.

I do this with all my newly molted 2nd instar slings. Fruit flies are harmless and many die off. This gives it a chance to grab a couple.

 

[Josh]

Sure. You're en experienced keeper. Your method works. It's just not tuned for a newer keeper with concerns

 

[Arachnoclown]

I guess I have alot of fruit flies to remove....

Seriously this is why breeders use fruit flies. You have to use alot because they aren't very nutritious. They are 100% safe compared to pinhead crickets and roaches that will kill your sling. You dont have to remove fruit flies but you do have to remove pinhead roaches and crickets...which the process stresses out your sling more. Always use prekilled crickets and roaches at the stage of your spider.

 

[Arachnoclown]

One other point. When using prekilled crickets and roaches, they dont always eat the entire pre killed item. Often it's still there. They may have however came over for a snack. Just toss it out and add another. I promise you they will eat it. They have instincts to scavenge.

 

[Hemolymph]

Sure. You're en experienced keeper. Your method works. It's just not tuned for a newer keeper with concerns

Why wouldn’t it be the same?

 

[Dusty1]

Pinhead crickets would be a perfectly fine alternative if that's all you can find

Thanks Josh, the advice is much appreciated

 

[Dusty1]

One other point. When using prekilled crickets and roaches, they dont always eat the entire pre killed item. Often it's still there. They may have however came over for a snack. Just toss it out and add another. I promise you they will eat it. They have instincts to scavenge.

Thanks Atachnoclown, the advice is much appreciated.