Cockroach moulting problems - please help!

[owen_mitch]

Hi all-

I've recently been having some trouble with my cockroach colony; all four animals which moulted this week have had problems doing so. One got stuck and died in the process, two came out of it with deformed and discolored carapaces (one of which later died), and another took an abnormally long time to harden and "color up" (this usually seems to only take a few hours, but this male remained pale and soft for several days).

I have had these colonies for over a year now, and have never seen a single instance of similar problems in any of the dozens or hundreds of previous moults, let alone four in a row.

These issues have occurred with both Hissing roaches (Gomphadorhina) and Caves (Blaberus). The animals live in a large plastic tub that is kept in the
90s F, with relatively low humidity, an extremely varied diet, and constant access to fresh water. The only recent change to their environment has been the consolidation of the Hisser and Cave colonies, and the addition of a few Lobster roaches as well. Could keeping all three species together be part of the problem?

any and all advice will be greatly appreciated!

thanks-

-Owen

 

[RVS]

90 seems way too warm. I keep my roaches around 80. Between that and the low humidity lies your problem.
Try lowering the heat and boosting the humidity.

 

[owen_mitch]

OK, will give that a try. Seems to me I read somewhere to aim for the highest temps and lowest humidity possible, but could easily have got that wrong. I'll turn their heater down; as for humidity... well, I live in Portland, so when I say "relatively low humidity," 'relative' is the operative word. Average (indoors, when not raining out) is probably somewhere around 60%; I suppose I could mist them daily to boost that. Do yours really breed at only 80F?

thanks for the reply-

-Owen

 

[RVS]

I don't think you neccessarily have to spray them daily. I usually spray mine once or twice a week (this also helps provide water for the really young nymphs). At 60% they shoould be fine.
I keep them in my spider room which is normally between 80 and 85 and have had no problems with breeding. I know several people who keep hissers at room temperature and already have more than they can handle. Hope this helps.

 

[Digby Rigby]

bad molts

Bad molts are a classic symptom of not enough humidity. Also 90+ degrees is very good for breeding. High temps and higher humidity is the answer here.
keep the temps lower if not breeding for food.

Digby Rigby
DigbyRigby@exoticfeeders.com

 

[roach dude]

i keep my roaches at romm temp but my room is boiling so...they havent bread yet but thats okish with me coz i keep em as pets

 

[owen_mitch]

Thanks to everyone who offered advice. I've lowered the temp from the mid 90s to high 80s, and sprayed daily, and the last four or five moults have gone perfectly! So thanks again!

-Owen