Blacklights to diagnose Mycosis

Has anyone had success using a blacklight to diagnose a Mycosis infection? I'm worried about my Emps - who seem to be showing odd coloration on their carapace - but when I shine a blacklight on them, it looks completely normal.

I can't get pictures quite yet, but I was wondering if anyone has had success finding and diagnosing Mycosis with such things.

I've never heard of Emperors getting mycosis. As far as I know, mycosis only effects desert species that are kept in humid conditions. If you could post a photo of the odd coloration on the Emperor maybe we can help.

Mycosis on forest scorpions are very rare but there are cases where they have been infected.

Mycosis does rarely infect forest scorpions; usually it's in a very small amount around the pectines. However I've never heard of a case where it harmed the scorp.

As for the odd coloration on the carapace...it could be a number of reasons. Natural variation in color, odd lighting, calcium marks from water, feces, etc. Really as long as the behavior is normal there's nothing to worry about.

So, the bug hiding in their hole for days on end is completely good then.

Like literally, I've not ever seen them out of their burrow more than a few inches. I'm able to observe them pretty constantly - even at odd hours in the night. So far, I consistently see one guarding the burrow - but the other two RARELY appear at the entrance. Maybe once a month.

I also keep running into an issue with a white fungus in the tank. So far, after three new batches of substrate, and new decorations, I keep getting it. I thought it may be from the Scorps, but their burrow is the only place it ISNT showing up.

Yeah, typically a happy scorp is one that stays in its burrow.

As for the fungus, you have a couple options.

The first is to increase the airflow in the tank if possible. The second would be to introduce isopods into the tank to help keep things clean. (Do a search is this is unfamiliar).

Are both your scorps adults?

Nope, the three Emperors I have are sub adults. I4 and I5 if my guess is correct.

The airflow thing makes sense. I got them in July/August and the mold only started showing up in the winter, after everything got buttoned up in the house. With spring here now, I'll keep an eye on the tank. Will probably repot them once more to be safe.

Yeah it's totally normal for them to stay in their burrow, my 3 dug a tunnel in their viv and didnt come out (that I could see) for a year! Does get a bit boring having a "pet hole" right enough :-P

As for the mould, I just throw in some woodlice whenever i notice mould in any of my tanks and they usually clear it right up.