Turkistan vs Dubias

[cbentley]

I was thinking about starting up a roach colony but I can't decide what kind of roach. I was thinking of Turkistan or Dubias. I would like to now what you guys and girls prefer and why?

Thanks

 

[twigtwig]

100% dubia. more meat, more nutritious and also a slow mover which is great for geckos. :main_thumbsup:

 

[Tony C]

I use both. Turks are a great staple, work well for a variety of animals because they come in a range of sizes similar to crickets, and their speed promotes active hunting. Dubia are great for older geckos and larger lizards, very meaty and nutritious. Why not culture both? I keep four roach species and plan to add more in the future.

 

[T-ReXx]

I use both. Turks are a great staple, work well for a variety of animals because they come in a range of sizes similar to crickets, and their speed promotes active hunting. Dubia are great for older geckos and larger lizards, very meaty and nutritious. Why not culture both? I keep four roach species and plan to add more in the future.

+1. I keep both turks and dubia, and both have their merits. For handling, the dubia are a bit easier, as they are much slower moving, but for feeding purposes I prefer the Turks generally, they're a lot more active than dubia, getting a better feeding response, and as Tony said the size range is quite useful. I also like the fact that turks make leos work for their food, triggering natural hunting behavior and making sure they get a bit of exercise.

 

[cbentley]

Thanks for all the answers. As of now I only have room for one roach colony in my room. The size range of turks is defiantly a plus, and the slowness and easier to handle of the dubias is a plus. I think I might just go with the turks so I just don't have big adult dubias that I can't feed.

 

[sablebeauty]

how big do the adults get for the dubia?

 

[thegeckoguy23]

I never have bred roachs. I have fed dubias before. My reptile store has roachs and he feeds them to his moniters and bigger reptiles and for some smaller reptiles... He breeds dubias and giant hissers he says that the dubia is never ending babys lol, He even sells them now.



Jake

 

[Tony C]

how big do the adults get for the dubia?

Adult male:

Adult female:

 

[sablebeauty]

Adult male:

Adult female:

lol i think i just had a heart attack because you touched them (my phobia speaking)! lol but they can be caught with tongs and fed right? cause i'm not exactly planning on touching them with my hands cause I'm afraid of roaches generally

 

[Tony C]

but they can be caught with tongs and fed right?

Yeah, just grab them by a leg or carefully on the body.

 

[robin]

i think i am fgoing to be buying some of those gross turks this weekend blah

 

[Tony C]

Do it, you'll love them.

 

[robin]

ugh they are small and fast

 

[sablebeauty]

Yeah, just grab them by a leg or carefully on the body.

how many breeders do you need to start a small steady colony? and how do you set up the breeding bin?

 

[Tony C]

I started with 20 or 25 adult pairs and 250 mixed nymphs. I set mine up in a bin with lots of eggcrate to crawl on, feed fresh fruit and vegetable scraps, and keep them in a warm closet next to the water heater. My colony is only about a month old and is not self sustaining yet.

 

[prettyinpink]

i think i am fgoing to be buying some of those gross turks this weekend blah

*shivers* just looking at them makes me! I think I'll join ya though! :main_laugh:

I hate crickets...and these are more weird. But they don't jump! erm... or do they? I see wings...

 

[sablebeauty]

My house is generally warm around the 80s so i dont think heat would be a problem. they wont escape from the bin? i know they're not supposed to be able to crawl up the sides but will they fly out if I dont keep a top on them?

 

[Tony C]

They don't fly, but you will want a lid to keep in humidity.

 

[Tony C]

I hate crickets...and these are more weird. But they don't jump! erm... or do they? I see wings...

Once in a while a male will jump and flutter to the ground, but that is rare. They can't fly.

 

[Grip Fast]

i started with 100 mixed adults to small nymphs, i got them on April 30th there where 19 adult males and 23 adult females plus the other youngsters i now have around 350-400:main_thumbsup: they are in a 10 gal. tank with UTH with rheostat set to 91F on the tank floor and lots of egg crates.

also i did not notice until they where adults but i now have about 50 lobster roaches in with the dubias they all get along fine, has anyone else put different roaches together:main_robin: