Discoid set-up

[geckosunlimited]

I've had my discoid colony for a couple of months, and I just want to make sure that I have them set up properly. I keep my breeders in a 66-quart Sterilite box, without substrate. The temp in the enclosure ranges from 85-90 degrees F. There are several egg crates for shelter. I feed them a plethora of fruits and veggies, and I also keep a dish of chick mash in the enclosure at all times. I assume that they are getting enough water from the fruits and veggies, but I'm just not certain.

The nymphs are set up in the same manner, but I keep them on a coconut fiber substrate that is misted regularly.

Am I on the right track? I know plenty about gecko husbandry, but I have a lot to learn about these inverts.

 

[Wade]

These roaches are easy to keep and breed, you should succeed with your methods. I keep mine much simpler and they do great. How is the box ventiltated? Big colonies do best when well ventilated.

No need to split nymphs and "breeders" though, all stages can be kept together, Some even say they breed better when they're crowded. Once the colony gets big enough, you'll be able to feed them off heavily withoit making a noticible dent in the population.

Wade

 

[geckosunlimited]

Excellent. Thanks for the input. I have to say that this is a wonderful forum, and I've been lurking on it for quite some time.

 

[james]

roaches

I have better luck geting them to eat cat or fish food over chichen food. You can keep them together, but overcrowding will lead to eggcase losses and even some cannabalization. I usually clean my adult bins every month or two and keep the 1,000-1,500 nymphs in a new bin. I'm sure I could keep more, but I keep 200-300 breeders per bin with four egg crates cut in half.
James