Cockroaches...but what species?

[danfekar]

Hello.

I'm planning to terminate my cricket-breeding and start a colony of roaches.

I brought home 10 of these little babies today, but the store didn't know excactly what kind it was.

What are these? And are they a good feeders for my tarantulas?

I have a couple of blondi's who might fancy them if they are unsuitable for breeding

 

[Israel2004]

I believe those are Discoids. But since I don't keep that species just yet, I'm taking a guess.

 

[chuck]

do a search on this forum for "Discoids" or "death heads". you'll get a lot of pics and debates on which is which.

 

[Rourke]

I would say Blaberus fusca, but I would be guessing.

Might be giganteus. Depends on how big your hand is!

 

[danfekar]

I would say Blaberus fusca, but I would be guessing.

Might be giganteus. Depends on how big your hand is!

Well, my hands are not too big The adult one on the top most image, measures 55mm from head to cerci, and 65mm from head to tip of wings.

 

[Valael]

I'm going to guess Discoids also.


http://www.angelfire.com/oh2/Roaches/

 

[Mendi]

Blaberus craniifer looks like from the nymphs...

 

[Rourke]

OK, now I'm thinking discoidalis. I've taken photos of an adult from my discoid colony (left) and an adult from my fusca colony (I'm assuming my supplier accurately identified the animals to start with!). The difference in hue between the two is because 1: different light conditions, and 2: the discoid was more recently molted. Generally the color is similar between the two. I didn't measure them, but I think I got the relative sizes about right when I pasted. I guess the discoid in the pic is roughly 6 cm.

Anyhow, if you look at the flat, roundish plate thingy above and slightly behind the head, you'll see it's wider and more oblong on the fusca. Also, the dark blotchy deal on top is shaped differently. Can you tell I am a roach EXPERT? Yours looks similar to the discoid, don't you think?

I think the craniifer get much darker as adults, which makes me hesitant to call it that species. Nice picture you got of the nymph, by the way! I tried, but I couldn't get them to pose. They both looked the same, just about like yours.

 

[FryLock]

I Believe Mr Rourke is right check this thread Link

 

[cichlidsman]

what about the hard shell. will the spider chip a tooth :}

 

[danfekar]

Ah, so B discoidalis it is....or most likely is

Thanks to everyone for replying.

Hope they start reproducing pretty soon (the roaches...)


Regards
Danj J

 

[james]

I'll take a new guess.

This looks like a cross of B. craniifer and B. fusca which are commonly sold in the U.S.. As nymphs mature into adults some will be blacker like a true craniifer and some will look more like the fusca. They make great feeders none the less.
James