Roaches

[Slager]

Does anyone feed discoid roaches, or any other type of roach? If so are they easy to breed? I hear they are more popular over in Europe.

 

[Paco]

Aaron... Almost all the species of roaches are catching on as feeders over here in the US. There are several Non-Glass climbing species that are very popular. Dubia, Disciods, Lateralis, are some of the most popular right now. Hissers and Lobsters are also very popular species. They are a superior feeder compared to crickets in many ways and will become the re-placement here in the near future. IMO It just takes getting over the stigma we have on roaches over here in the US. I just look at it as, a Feeder is a Feeder and that the Roaches are no different than a Mealworm just a bit bigger. Then they are easy to work with once you get used to them.

As for being easy to breed. They are Roaches. So yes. Certain Species Require specific conditions to thrive and do well. If these conditions are met the roaches thrive and multiply.

 

[hoppslover]

Aaron you should give them a try. I have been working with Dubias for about 6 months now. They havent been reproducing real fast, but my leos love them. It has definetly been something that I am happy to have for them. I was alittle nervous at first, but they really arent bad.

 

[LeapinLizards]

I'm with Tim...I've been breeding Dubias for about that long I believe. Mine are breeding like crazy, I have them setup very warm. I would definitely give them a try Aaron.

Granted, the large adults terrified me at first, but now I just reach right in, grab their dinner, and I'm good!

I had a VERY sick gecko I picked up from a local chain store (first and last one I ever bought from a store) and she was fed on a steady diet of Dubia. She's GIGANTIC now. I can post a picture if you would like...the difference only a few months on dubia made.

 

[Gregg M]

One word... DUBIAS!!!

When kept in the 90 degree range, they multiply fast... I have had my colony going for just about 3 years now and they are great... Every 6 months or so, I introduce some new blood lines into the colony to keep it strong... They are real easy to keep and breed and a colony with thrive easily...

The less you clean the bin you keep them in, the better... They make their own substrate... Once there was a good amount of frass (roach droppings) on the floor, the colony pretty much took off... The nymphs get lots of nutriants from the droppings... I have not cleaned the bottom of the bin in about a year... There is still no offensive smell... They smell like the food they eat... You just need to remove any dead adult and uneaten veggies...

Use water gel for moisture... It will also add humidity to the air in the bin... You should cut a vent in the lid over the area where the water gel is so you do not get a mold build up...

I use a dry food for them daily and that is just piled up at one corner of the bin away from the water gel... I offer fresh greens once or twice a week... Thats it...

 

[Nigel4less]

One word... DUBIAS!!!

When kept in the 90 degree range, they multiply fast... I have had my colony going for just about 3 years now and they are great... Every 6 months or so, I introduce some new blood lines into the colony to keep it strong... They are real easy to keep and breed and a colony with thrive easily...

The less you clean the bin you keep them in, the better... They make their own substrate... Once there was a good amount of frass (roach droppings) on the floor, the colony pretty much took off... The nymphs get lots of nutriants from the droppings... I have not cleaned the bottom of the bin in about a year... There is still no offensive smell... They smell like the food they eat... You just need to remove any dead adult and uneaten veggies...

Use water gel for moisture... It will also add humidity to the air in the bin... You should cut a vent in the lid over the area where the water gel is so you do not get a mold build up...

I use a dry food for them daily and that is just piled up at one corner of the bin away from the water gel... I offer fresh greens once or twice a week... Thats it...

Dubias are King! :main_laugh:

 

[spykerherps]

I like my dubias so do my herps . I also want to try some smaller non climbing species. i think terks. but can find the site i'm looking for.

 

[Nigel4less]

I like my dubias so do my herps . I also want to try some smaller non climbing species. i think terks. but can find the site i'm looking for.

A slower alternative to Turks would be Byrsotria fumigata also known as the Cuban Burrowing Roach they are a bit bigger yet smaller then Dubias. They are more expensive but are just an easier alternative all around for anyone looking for a Small Slow Roach...

 

[SJP]

Every 6 months or so, I introduce some new blood lines into the colony to keep it strong...

What are the benefits of doing this?

 

[fOOlsgOld]

Same as with any living thing, constant (long term) inbreeding can cause week insects. Introducing 'new blood' just keeps the line strong and helps to keep healthier bugs.

 

[Gregg M]

Same as with any living thing, constant (long term) inbreeding can cause week insects. Introducing 'new blood' just keeps the line strong and helps to keep healthier bugs.

That is pretty much what I was going to write... LOL:main_thumbsup:

 

[combadao]

I'm curious.

when you reach a number of thousands of adult breeders, inbreeding should not be a problem, or at least a severe problem.

I know most people will not have so many roaches, but does anyone have thousands of adult breeders and saw deleterious effects due to inbreeding?

a little off-topic, sorry.

 

[Gregg M]

I'm curious.

when you reach a number of thousands of adult breeders, inbreeding should not be a problem, or at least a severe problem.

I know most people will not have so many roaches, but does anyone have thousands of adult breeders and saw deleterious effects due to inbreeding?

a little off-topic, sorry.

I have thousands... I have not seen any issues with my roaches but I do introduce new bloodlines...

You can get thousands of roaches by starting with a colony of 100 pretty fast... Most of those roaches will be related somehow... They are lower life forms and inbreeding is fine for many generations but things will happen if the bloodline is not eventually outcrossed...
Common issues are loss of vigor and small adult sizes...

 

[combadao]

Thanks for the reply.

Ok, I know the principles. But somewhere it must stop to be a thread... But, as you said, introducing new bloodlines of roaches is not difficult.

As you said, when you start with 100 roaches you may have a maximum of "200 different genomes", but I bet a lot of them are almost equal because they should be already inbred. So even if you start with 100, it is like you start with less (in terms of genetic diversity).
What I was really thinking, in this case, is if the expansion in the number of individuals would be enough to maintain the average vigor.

But I bet that if you could get thousands of outcrossed wild ones and if you could maintain a large population it would never be a issue.

I started a colony from 100 a few months ago. I will see if I will encounter some problems or not, along the way. Just for fun...

Well, I will stop writing...

 

[Slager]

Thanks ya'll for all the information!!! I haven't purchased my first leo as of yet, but am just trying to cover all of my bases. This really helps me out a lot because whichever feeder I decide on, I would like to breed because the nearest pet store is about 45 minutes away. Ha Ha. Thanks again!!!