Gryllus assimilis care

Choose Gryllus assimilis, Jamaican field crickets, as an alternative to banded crickets for a species that is easier to care for, has a more pleasant sound, and does not require diapause. These large field crickets are perfect for feeding reptiles and other pets.

"Eggs are maintained/defended by dense springtail population's"

Housing:

  • House a small group or colony in large tall terrariums like the Exo Terra PT2265.
  • Cover any openings, such as the top, with a cloth to keep unwanted pests out of your cricket colony.
  • For 10-gallon tanks, place an inch of sand at the bottom, followed by a layer of horticultural charcoal, and then a few inches of substrate mix packed down on top.

Substrate:

  • Maintain a minimum of 2 inches of bioactive substrate, similar to the roach substrate mix.
  • Keep the substrate moist but not soaking. Avoid letting it dry out completely.
  • Maintain a healthy springtail population within the substrate.

Temperature:

  • Keep the room temperature at 75°F (23.9°C) during nighttime and 80-90°F (26.7-32.2°C) during daytime.
  • These crickets do not require an additional heat source.

Feeding:

  • Offer high-quality fish food for protein and rabbit feed pellets for vegetables.
  • Treat your crickets with fresh apple occasionally, just like the roaches.

Breeding:

  • Adult Gryllus assimilis are hardy, and females will lay hundreds of eggs.

Additional Tips:

  • Starting with a small group of 12 crickets, you can experience rapid growth in population within 3-4 months.
  • Encourage others to embrace new feeder options like Gryllus assimilis, which are a superior alternative to banded crickets.
  • Maintaining springtail population in critical to this method working.
  • adults removed from setup every 3-4 months after population boom
  • Substrate moisture gradient populated by springtail population
  • Daily check in is required
  • Split colony when overloaded within 3-4 months.

Following this care guide will help you successfully raise a thriving Gryllus assimilis colony, providing a great alternative feeder option for your reptiles and other pets.