FF as a staple food?

**schmoogiewhat** · 25th August 2009, 01:16

How many fruit flies would it take to sustain a 1.1 of bearded chams? I only ask because I absolutely hate crickets but maintain a collection of dart frogs that I feed melos to. I also have plenty of bean beetle cultures going that I could try. I might possibly get some hydei if that works better.

**dragongoddess** · 25th August 2009, 02:49

Not enough of the proper nutrients. I wouldn't try sustaining your chams on just fruit flies, even if you supplement with bean beetles. Your chams will more than likely starve or have severe health problems. Variety is good but crickets are usually essential, unless you plan on using small roaches as your staple.

**schmoogiewhat** · 25th August 2009, 03:01

Any idea of what type and where to get the roaches? I could get crickets if I absolutely have to.

I'm sure meal worms aren't the best choice either because of their non nutritional value correct?

**dragongoddess** · 25th August 2009, 04:41

Mealworms would not be a good idea as a staple in most peoples opinion, not enough nutrition and risk of impaction.

I don't feed roaches (they give me the creepy

) but most people suggest dubia. Here on the west coast I buy all my feeders from LLLReptile.com , they ship US and world wide. Roaches can be more expensive than cricket but they are very easy to breed and they do not smell. You will only be able to use small roaches for pygmies. If you chose roaches I suggest a breeding colony, you will have large roaches you can not use but they will make you lots of little roaches.