Kit Crystal

• Formicarium Crystal — acrylic ant nest, 20×13 cm, 16 mm chamber height. 2 humidification chambers, 2 latches, 2 × 16 mm tubing ports. The 16 mm chamber height is what sets the Crystal apart — Camponotus workers, particularly majors of nicobarensis and fedtschenkoi, reach 10–14 mm in body length and need tall chambers to move comfortably. The Crystal is built for them. Made in Poland from 3 mm layered acrylic.
• Camponotus colony — living carpenter ant colony with laying queen and approx. 15–40 workers. Species: Camponotus nicobarensis, Camponotus fedtschenkoi, or Camponotus irritans — depending on availability at the time of order. All three are popular, visually impressive species that thrive in the Crystal formicarium. Workers are large, orange or bicoloured, and highly active. Queen lifespan 15–25 years.
• Decorative sand × 2 — two bags of quartz sand for the arena floor.
• Arena decoration — one decoration piece for the foraging area.
• Tweezers — for food handling and arena maintenance.
• Acrylic drinking bowl — Camponotus species have a high carbohydrate requirement. A bowl for sugar water or honey syrup is essential from day one.

Messor structor is the beginner standard. Camponotus is the upgrade. Workers are two to three times larger, move purposefully and visibly, and have distinct personalities between castes — small minors scout and forage while large-headed majors guard and process food. Watching a Camponotus nicobarensis or fedtschenkoi colony move through a formicarium is fundamentally different from watching smaller species. They are individuals you can follow with the eye.

The Crystal formicarium is sized for this. The 16 mm chamber height means workers move without crouching. The 20×13 cm footprint gives a growing colony enough territory to organise without being oversized for a starting colony of 15–40 workers. The 2-latch system allows staged expansion as the colony grows.

Camponotus is easy to keep but different from Messor in one important way: they eat both protein and carbohydrates. They need insect protein (small insects, Cricket Jam, or Blanched Crickets from the food range) alongside liquid carbohydrates. The drinking bowl included in this kit handles the carbohydrate side — add sugar water or honey syrup and replace every 2–3 days. Protein should be offered 2–3 times per week. Keep the setup at 24–28°C for optimal activity.

1. Layer sand across the arena floor. Place the decoration piece.

2. Add water to both humidification ports. Place sugar water or honey syrup in the drinking bowl in the arena. Cover the nest section.

3. Close both latches. Connect the transport tube. Leave undisturbed at 24–28°C.

4. Once workers are active, offer a small insect or a piece of Cricket Jam as the first protein feeding.

5. Open the first latch after 2–4 weeks when the first section is populated. Water twice per week.

• Cricket Jam or Blanched Crickets — protein food for Camponotus; essential alongside the carbohydrate bowl
• Honey syrup 10 ml — ready-to-use carbohydrate liquid for the drinking bowl
• More decorations — enrich the arena as the colony becomes more active
• Syringe — for precise humidification; available at any pharmacy

The Crystal holds approximately 500–1000 workers of Camponotus species. When the colony is consistently active across both sections and the arena is busy, consider: Formicarium IDEAL, Formicarium Giant, or the modular nest range. Custom combinations available on request.

Beginners who want large, visually impressive ants from the start. Experienced keepers adding a Camponotus colony to their setup. Teenagers and adults who have seen Camponotus content online and want to experience them firsthand. A genuinely striking gift — large orange carpenter ants in a transparent formicarium are hard to ignore.

Live delivery of queen and colony guaranteed. Species (nicobarensis, fedtschenkoi, or irritans) assigned based on availability — all three are excellent choices for the Crystal formicarium. Contact us before ordering if you have a species preference. Care instructions and setup video at youtube.com/@AntOnTop.

Which Camponotus species will I receive?
Camponotus nicobarensis, fedtschenkoi, or irritans — depending on availability at the time of order. Contact us if you have a specific preference.

Do Camponotus need seeds?
No — Camponotus are not seed-harvesters. They need insect protein and liquid carbohydrates. The kit includes a drinking bowl for sugar water; add Cricket Jam or small insects as protein food.

Is Camponotus safe for children?
Camponotus workers have strong mandibles and can bite if handled, but they are not aggressive and do not sting. Normal observation through the acrylic walls is completely safe. Recommended from age 10 upwards with adult supervision.