Feeder Roaches For Centipedes

Twilight

Arachnosquire
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
149
Okay I think I read a few threads about them but I still have a few questions.

-I only have 4 centipedes and a T at the moment, should I keep roaches? I'm thinking yes because the centipedes eat quite a lot and they're just babies, so when they grow up they would eat more. I dunno. They're only like 4 inches at the moment.

-What is the most favorable feeder roach that does not climb tank walls and stuff because I've lost many roaches because of that and I much rather not keep a climber. At the moment I'm settling on B. Dubia since they seem to be so popular.

-If I get B. Dubia....is getting a bunch of nymphs a good idea? Like will they grow fast and start breeding and are they more prone to dying more or something? Because I can get 25 for $7, really broke at the moment.

-Can anyone here hook me up or sell me some extra feeder roach species that they have and think are good? I just want a few...if you can I'd be really grateful. I'm way pass my budget and school books are murdering me. BTW if you are willing, I'll have to know you quite a bit and I pay through paypal

I'm going to go search some more...if someone can help...then thx a bunch. Later everyone.
 

Stylopidae

Arachnoking
Old Timer
Joined
Jul 7, 2005
Messages
3,200
Feeder roaches are only a good idea if the whole bug thing is long term for you.

Lots of people like B. dubia...I use discoids (or will when my colony matures) for my centis. For my spiders, I'm planning on using lobster roaches and discoids.

Either way, roach colonies will take a very long time to mature. My lobster colony will probably mature in about 9 months or so. My discoids will take much longer than that. Roach colonies require you to be very patient, but once they're established they're worth. My colony of lobster roaches will pay for itself in a year and a half after they mature.

If you're planning on getting more centipedes, I would certianly reccomend getting a roach colony.

Many people like B. dubia, but I think they're over-rated. They're decent breeders and don't climb but I've heard that many arboreal tarantulas will ignore them. This isn't a problem with centipedes, though.

I'm planning to use H. flexivatta and N. cinerea (giant lobsters and normal lobsters) for my arboreals and discoids and dubia for my terrestrials.

I usually try to give myself a mix of nymphs and adults for my first culture. If you just get a bunch of nymphs that are the same age, it will take much longer for you to have a mix of proper sized roaches.

To each their own, though. My discoid colony is starting from a dozen adults that I got from a friend at a really great price. :)

As for the climbing factor...olive oil or vasoline should be sufficient to keep them in line. I've found that most roaches can traverse vasoline if they really want to (like if you suddenly remove ALL hides in the enclosure), but for the most part they won't cross that barrier.

I can't hook you up with non climbing roaches, but if you want to shoot me a PM I can tell you where you can get some roaches at a decent price.
 
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