Culture of green roach colony

[KevinsWither]

Could I culture them (both the regular and giants) in a 5 gallon bucket? With substrate on the bottom (coco fiber)? Any heater needed?

 

[le-thomas]

This size will suffice, although you'll need to upgrade eventually, unless you implement some sort of population control (my G. lurida colony is self-managing, not sure about Panchlora sp.). Heat and humidity are good, but head bulbs tend to counteract humidity, and heat mats are not good for inverts in general. Ambient heat in the room is ideal. Otherwise, so long as it isn't cold (i.e. Less than 72° F), they should be fine. The hotter the environment, the faster the reproduction.
Coco fiber is a great roach substrate. Be very wary of mold. Adding in sticks and dried leaves from outside can make it visually more appealing, as well as provide shelter and, potentially, food for your roaches.

Not sure about cohabitation. I myself would keep them separate without a doubt, not only to avoid risks but to also make sure that I know exactly what type of roach I'm dealing with when selling/trading/documenting/data collecting and so on.

Good luck!

 

[KevinsWither]

I agree. They are controlled by selling samples, feeding them off to praying mantids and fish. Basically, there should be at least a good amount of adults. How do I feed them? Do I use a food dish? Cork bark? How big are the roaches at birth and when an adult? Any natural cleaners?

 

[le-thomas]

I agree. They are controlled by selling samples, feeding them off to praying mantids and fish. Basically, there should be at least a good amount of adults. How do I feed them? Do I use a food dish? Cork bark? How big are the roaches at birth and when an adult?

I haven't kept these particular species, but my roach knowledge is relatively extensive, so I'll answer to the best of my ability. Take my thoughts with a grain of salt, though.

Using a food dish is not necessary so long as you limit how food you put in – if it is all eaten, there is no need to be able to remove it. However, a food dish can be helpful when you don't know exactly how much they will eat. For things like fruit slices, I never use a dish. However, when feeding dry dog/cat food and other "piecey" foodstuffs, a dish can help by preventing pieces from being buried or covered up and then molding. Be careful when removing food because the tiny little nymphs could be on/in the food or the dish. A tall food dish may pose problems because the nymphs cannot climb smooths surfaces and so would have trouble accessing it.

Cork bark is a good hide and decoration. Always be wary of nymphs when removing it from the tank.

As nymphs, Panchlora sp. are remarkably small but, because they cannot climb smooth surfaces, are still relatively easy to maintain. The largest regular Panchlora nivea are around one inch (females) or less (males). The giant morph may get to around 1.25 inches. Adults can climb and fly pretty well, so take care to secure them properly.

 

[Scorpling]

I use a piece of paper plate to feed my roaches and just throw it out every morning and replace it. Thinking about getting some giant panchloras as well, they're pretty cool

 

[le-thomas]

I use a piece of paper plate to feed my roaches and just throw it out every morning and replace it. Thinking about getting some giant panchloras as well, they're pretty cool

That sounds like a good way to do your feedings; all life stages can probably get on top of the plate.

I would definitely culture the giants and the regulars separately.

 

[Scorpling]

That sounds like a good way to do your feedings; all life stages can probably get on top of the plate.

I would definitely culture the giants and the regulars separately.

Yeah it works pretty well especially because I mix up my own roach food recipe (it's a mush kind of, easier for little nymphs to eat and the adults love it) and freeze dollops of it. Whenever I need more food in there I just thaw out another dollop on a paper plate and put it in there. Keeps it sanitary and easy.

And I agree with keeping the Giants and niveas separate, they could hybridize easily and contaminate the captive cultures

 

[KevinsWither]

I should separate the colonies. How do I clean the bucket that the roaches will be cultured in?

 

[KevinsWither]

What foods do roaches pefer?

 

[Scorpling]

I clean my roach boxes with a paper towel soaked in alcohol, just remove the roaches, dump the substrate, and wipe down. Then let it dry fully before adding new roaches and substrate. As for food they like fruit, I like to make a purée with papaya and melon and whatever other fruits I have, a little Palm sugar, and peanut butter for added protein. The roaches love it and it makes a great gut load for feeders.

 

[KevinsWither]

Do they eat bananas and cucumbers? Oranges? Can you breed without substrate? They are a feeder colony, and they will be fed to mantids and other invertebrates.

 

[le-thomas]

Do they eat bananas and cucumbers? Oranges?

Oranges seem to be well-received across the board by all of my roach species. Bananas are very difficult to remove from the container because they do not have some sort of outer skin, and they mold very easily. I would think, however, that this species would consume them with gusto given their common name? Not sure; look into their natural habitat if you can! Cucumbers probably don't provide much nutrition, but they're a great source of moisture without the need for water crystals (the same goes for oranges).

Be very wary of mold! I've had entire populations of small roach species die thanks to moldy cat/dog food overnight.

 

[KevinsWither]

Can they be bred without substrate for easier maintenance? Or do they need it?

 

[le-thomas]

Can they be bred without substrate for easier maintenance? Or do they need it?

I would say that they need it.

 

[KevinsWither]

Coco fiber works? With pill bugs and other clean crews?

 

[Liverwort]

Just follow these caresheets. They've answered every question you've asked: https://www.sites.google.com/site/cockroachcare/panchlora-nivea
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...ition/53949-feeder-roaches-care-breeding.html