Marking roaches to tell them apart

[Milly]

I've got a few hissers that are similar in size and, aside from their horns and the fact that one has recently molted, it's a bit difficult to tell them apart. I'd love to put a different colored dot on each of them. Obviously it'll have to be replaced every molt, but that isn't a big deal.

Are there any easy ways to mark a roach that aren't dangerous to the roach, like a paint? Someone on a different forum suggested paint markers, but that was for honeybees. I'm also concerned about what would happen if the roach ate the paint, because they have a tendency to eat their exoskeletons after a molt.

Any ideas?

 

[mmfh]

Interesting idea. Curious about any responses.

 

[dementedlullaby]

Never thought I'd link GamesWorkshop on Arachnoboards!

http://www.games-workshop.com/en-CA/Citadel-Base

I've used these paints to differentiate baby turtles. As long as allowed to dry properly I see no reason it wouldn't work with roaches. Just your typical acrylic based non toxic paint. It probably helps I already had them for my models .

 

[Introvertebrate]

You could even make your own Domino Roaches.

 

[NTslinger]

Bedazzle them with crystals! Just search up "roach brooch" on Google, and you'll see that you can make your very own without paying an extortionate sum :laugh:

I'm just kidding. I've never actually tried to glue gems onto my hissers, but I do personally use queen bee markers to mark multiple species of roaches. When they undergo ecdysis, just mark them again. If your hissers are mature, there's no need to worry about them molting again.

 

[Tenevanica]

Bioquip sells a few products that are used to scientifically mark insects. I would browse through there if I was you.