Hate crix. Do phoenix worms work?

[Alaska Gecko Girl]

Hi,

I feed my 2 cresties CGD and wanted to add some meat so they grow better, but I hate crix!  I have always fed my bearded dragon worms and think they are waaaaaay better than crix. So since the geckos are still babies can they have phoenix worms? They have alot of calcium and are thought to be very healthy. They are also tiny and wiggle alot to stimulate the appetite of the animal.

Is it alright if I feed them to my geckos? Are they good for them? I wouldn't want to feed them something harmful so just checking with you guys!

Here is the link   http://www.phoenixworm.com/servlet/StoreFront

[justanotherfroginthepond]

Phoenix worms are fine as an additional protein source.  The trick is getting them to eat them!  Not even ONE of my brood has ever touched the things!  It's very frustrating, since I'd love for them to be used to boost my breeding females calcium levels, but alas... you can lead a horse to water, but you can't MAKE a gecko take a phoenix worm!

Some people have good luck, so it's worth a try, though!

[portal_reptiles]

i have had problems gettin them to eat the lil black things....

[marigold]

i have had problems gettin them to eat the lil black things....

my phoenix worms (calci worms) are not black.  they are off-white.    make sure you let them grow first if they are really tiny.  they should be at least half a centimeter long, and fairly robust looking...

i find that my girls who need them, eat them.  they are excellent to feed.  it is true that some geckos will not eat them, but the good question is why?  there are probably lots of variables.  it is worth a try.  here is how i feed them:

get a heavy mug or small jar.  (for a jar i use the small squarish ones that artichoke hearts come in.)  anyway, make sure it is clean and dry.  i sprinkle a small amount of the cgd powder across the bottom of the jar.  this is for gut loading, and helps to keep the worms from being able to crawl up the side of the mug/jar.  place 5 or 6 phoenix worms in there, and place the jar into the gecko cage into a strategic location.  the worms will crawl around for a few days in that jar.  it may help to skip a day or two in feeding so your gecko is hungry.  i would do this a few times to build up the appetite or habit of eating them.  if you can get your gecko to eat these worms, that's a very good and healthy milestone for your geckos!

OH, ALSO, be sure to *not* mist or spray into the phoenix worm jar at all, or the moist sides will become climbable, and the worms may climb out.

again, the effort is well worth it.  jmo,
marigold

[portal_reptiles]

not true,they turn dark (looks black to me)...which is the best time to feed them, so im told...

"The phoenix worms will begin to turn dark colored as they age."

quote from http://www.silkwormshop.com/phoenixworm_info.html

[justanotherfroginthepond]

Yeah, they do get darker as they age. Everytime I've tried them they start out white (with a couple black ones in the container), then turn black over time...

Either way, as long as they're moving they should be fine.

[marigold]

i believe when they turn black, they are about to become a fly.  (not positive)
i always feed mine when they are plump and white.  never black.  once mine are black they are no longer active.  infact they look hard and not alive when they are black.  i don't use those, and in my worm tubs the black hardened ones are rare.

now, maybe the difference is that i feed the calci worm from petco.  i assume they are the same, but i have never had the opportunity to feed phoenix worms from dr. phoenix.  anyway, i highly recommend them.  what i told you above, IS true, and i have used them for a year and a half, regularly.

marigold

[portal_reptiles]

my phoenix worms (calci worms) are not black.  they are off-white.    make sure you let them grow first if they are really tiny.  they should be at least half a centimeter long, and fairly robust looking...

[/quote]

i believe when they turn black, they are about to become a fly.  (not positive)
i always feed mine when they are plump and white.  never black.  once mine are black they are no longer active.  infact they look hard and not alive when they are black.  i don't use those, and in my worm tubs the black hardened ones are rare.

so now they trun dark, but befor you said they dont...anyway another quote
"
Q: Some of my Phoenix Worms are turning dark. Are they dead or dying?
A: Usually the answer is no. Turning dark is natural as the worm matures so this is seen more often in the large size. Dark worms actually have the highest levels of calcium. We suggest that you feed any dark worms first while they are still wiggly."

http://www.phoenixworm.com/servlet/the-template/faq/Page

it takes weeks befor a dark one will turn into a fly...think your wasting you $$ if your tossin out the best ones

[daniellec]

The calci worms/pheonix worms are the same thing and turn black before maturing when they are most abundant with vitamins too, but in my experience my cresteds would not touch them and the few that did barfed, lol!!  Save your money!!!

[marigold]

Lance,
I don't appreciate you suggesting that i don't know what i am talking about.  is that really necessary???
i feed calci worms regularly, and i have seen black "worms" but they are hard and appear to be dead. i don't pay much attention to them since i usually only see one or two per tub.   the only worms i have seen acting like worms are the plump white ones in the little tubs that i buy.  i am not wasting my $ or efforts, as my geckos have great calcium sacs.  i know that i am providing an excellent diet for them.   i originally posted just to share my own experience with calci worms, because they work for me.  i was simply trying to give the OP a point of view...  and quite frankly, i'm surprised to have my post picked apart.  what's the point?

my phoenix worms (calci worms) are not black.  they are off-white.    make sure you let them grow first if they are really tiny.  they should be at least half a centimeter long, and fairly robust looking...

i believe when they turn black, they are about to become a fly.  (not positive)
i always feed mine when they are plump and white.  never black.  once mine are black they are no longer active.  infact they look hard and not alive when they are black.  i don't use those, and in my worm tubs the black hardened ones are rare.

so now they trun dark, but befor you said they dont...anyway another quote
"
Q: Some of my Phoenix Worms are turning dark. Are they dead or dying?
A: Usually the answer is no. Turning dark is natural as the worm matures so this is seen more often in the large size. Dark worms actually have the highest levels of calcium. We suggest that you feed any dark worms first while they are still wiggly."

http://www.phoenixworm.com/servlet/the-template/faq/Page

it takes weeks befor a dark one will turn into a fly...think your wasting you $$ if your tossin out the best ones

[/quote]

[portal_reptiles]

sorry...but you started by makin it sound like i don't know what i am talking about.......thats the only reason i said something...i didnt appreciate that also, not tryin to fight......you made it sound like i was dumb about the color they turn and how much better the darker ones are for the reptile...thats all

[marigold]

sorry...but you started by makin it sound like i don't know what i am talking about.......thats the only reason i said something...i didnt appreciate that also, not tryin to fight......you made it sound like i was dumb about the color they turn and how much better the darker ones are for the reptile...thats all

well, in all fairness, i looked back at my post, and i noticed that there was a sad face with question marks above it's head.  i did *not* click on that.  i was just so curious about black worms that i put 2 question marks which did not show up as the sad face until i noticed that in my post later.   if that offended you i am sorry, and i assume now that, that little guy appears if you put 2 or more question marks, i am a little clueless about some of the details of these forums.   i can assure you that i will never put 2 or more question marks up again.

i am not here to argue either, and am really only here to learn and share.  so no worries here, and no offense meant toward you

[portal_reptiles]

me too......, its all good......think we both thought the wrong thing