Madagascar fire millipede (Aphistogoniulus corallipes)

Short answers

Madagascar fire millipede: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×30×30 cm for a small group; offer climbing branches (part of the genus is arboreal).

Madagascar fire millipede: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Madagascar fire millipede: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Madagascar fire millipede: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 5 years.

Madagascar fire millipede: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–80 %

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×30×30 cm for a small group; offer climbing branches (part of the genus is arboreal)

Substrate

10–15 cm of forest humus plus white-rotted wood and fallen leaves; a calcium source

Feeding

Food

Rotting leaves and white-rotted wood as the base, fruit and vegetables to supplement, calcium

Feeding interval

leaf litter and wood always available; fruit and vegetables occasionally in small amounts

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 11–12 cm (the genus reaches ~18 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 5 years

Origin

Madagascar (tropical forests)

Protection status

No CITES; a Madagascan endemic – wild-caught animals are problematic, prefer captive-bred ones

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Group housing possible (sociable). A group is an option, not a necessity: kept singly, these animals lack nothing. Anyone housing them together needs a large enclosure, its own hiding place for every animal, and plenty of food — otherwise the group becomes one.

Notes

Striking red-black or orange warning colouration (aposematic), with a defensive secretion when disturbed – wash your hands. Species-specific husbandry data are thin, and some are derived by analogy from the genus.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Madagascar fire millipede (Aphistogoniulus corallipes) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) – Beginner
• American giant millipede (Narceus americanus) – Beginner
• Bumblebee millipede (Anadenobolus monilicornis) – Beginner
• Fire millipede (Centrobolus splendidus) – Beginner
• Ghana giant millipede (Ophistreptus guineensis) – Beginner
• Ghana black-foot millipede (Spirostreptus gregorius) – Beginner
• Green millipede (Telodeinopus aoutii) – Beginner
• Mozambique giant millipede (Centrobolus sp. Mosambik) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Madagascar fire millipede (Aphistogoniulus corallipes) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×30×30 cm for a small group; offer climbing branches (part of the genus is arboreal)), substrate (10–15 cm of forest humus plus white-rotted wood and fallen leaves; a calcium source), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.