Need some help with Blaberus giganteus.

[jebbewocky]

Ok, so I got these guys at a pet store--along with a pokie. I was just going in to consider getting hissers, and walked out with 70$ worth of bugs. Figures.
Anywho, talked to the guys there, and got some rough ideas, and I figured care for them should be similar to B.lateralis, and B.dubia. Except, I find out these guys need a place to climb, so that when they molt, they can dry their wings. I've done some more research, and I have conflicting info, so I decided I need some things clarified!

1.) Would a vertically-oriented, or horizontally oriented tank be better? I can do either easily, and would prefer vertical, just because I like the look better, and it takes up less space. I've seen care sheets, specifically petbugs.co.uk, describe them as arboreal (which doesn't make sense because they are cave roaches, and trees wouldn't be in caves, but I assume by "arboreal" they mean a vertical tank would be better--which would be odd for roaches, which usually live in detritus).

2.) Should they be kept arid or humid? I'm assuming humid, because that's how pretty much all the other roaches are kept, but I've seen info that they need it dry. Again, I can work with either, I just need to know which.

3.) Do they need leaves of some kind? I've seen info that they need oak, or mulberry leaves--which I can probably do eventually, but I can't help but be skeptical about it.

4.) Are the standard substrates--vermiculite, coir, peat--fine, or do I need something different? So far, I've used coir for all my invert substrate, but I am considering changing to peat. I've seen lots of stuff on substrate for these guys.

5.) How many adults should I reasonably keep in a 10 gallon?

 

[ZephAmp]

Ok, so I got these guys at a pet store--along with a pokie. I was just going in to consider getting hissers, and walked out with 70$ worth of bugs. Figures.
Anywho, talked to the guys there, and got some rough ideas, and I figured care for them should be similar to B.lateralis, and B.dubia. Except, I find out these guys need a place to climb, so that when they molt, they can dry their wings. I've done some more research, and I have conflicting info, so I decided I need some things clarified!

1.) Would a vertically-oriented, or horizontally oriented tank be better? I can do either easily, and would prefer vertical, just because I like the look better, and it takes up less space. I've seen care sheets, specifically petbugs.co.uk, describe them as arboreal (which doesn't make sense because they are cave roaches, and trees wouldn't be in caves, but I assume by "arboreal" they mean a vertical tank would be better--which would be odd for roaches, which usually live in detritus).

2.) Should they be kept arid or humid? I'm assuming humid, because that's how pretty much all the other roaches are kept, but I've seen info that they need it dry. Again, I can work with either, I just need to know which.

3.) Do they need leaves of some kind? I've seen info that they need oak, or mulberry leaves--which I can probably do eventually, but I can't help but be skeptical about it.

4.) Are the standard substrates--vermiculite, coir, peat--fine, or do I need something different? So far, I've used coir for all my invert substrate, but I am considering changing to peat. I've seen lots of stuff on substrate for these guys.

5.) How many adults should I reasonably keep in a 10 gallon?

A 10-gallon tank is fine. Set them up on a 4 inch mix of coconut chunks/fiber, cypress mulch (or any other HARDWOOD mulch,) sphagnum moss strands, and crushed, dead, dried (get these in the winter right after they fall from the trees) HARDWOOD leaves. Mix this in a 4/1/2/2 ratio, respectively.
Room temp is fine for these guys. In the wild they're found in tree hollows, caves, and other places like that.
Give them a few slabs of vertically oriented cork bark to molt from/hide behind. If you position one at the back of the cage and put something to block out the light there they'll love it.
Feed them a mix of dog/cat food, fish food, etc.
They love bananas, but other good supplemental foods are carrots, zuchini, apples, and oranges.
For humidity, I would cover 1/2 of the 10 gallon lid with plastic wrap. Once a week, spray the substrate on that side of the enclosure and mist the whole enclosure lightly.

 

[jebbewocky]

A 10-gallon tank is fine. Set them up on a 4 inch mix of coconut chunks/fiber, cypress mulch (or any other HARDWOOD mulch,) sphagnum moss strands, and crushed, dead, dried (get these in the winter right after they fall from the trees) HARDWOOD leaves. Mix this in a 4/1/2/2 ratio, respectively.
Room temp is fine for these guys. In the wild they're found in tree hollows, caves, and other places like that.
Give them a few slabs of vertically oriented cork bark to molt from/hide behind. If you position one at the back of the cage and put something to block out the light there they'll love it.
Feed them a mix of dog/cat food, fish food, etc.
They love bananas, but other good supplemental foods are carrots, zuchini, apples, and oranges.
For humidity, I would cover 1/2 of the 10 gallon lid with plastic wrap. Once a week, spray the substrate on that side of the enclosure and mist the whole enclosure lightly.

1.) Is there any particular reason that it has to be hardwood?
2.) How would I get leaves, is there some online supplier for those?
3.) I take it the tank should be horizontal then?
I plan on getting a slab of cork bark to the back of the enclosure, and giving them some more cork bark to hide behind.

 

[ZephAmp]

1.) Is there any particular reason that it has to be hardwood?
2.) How would I get leaves, is there some online supplier for those?
3.) I take it the tank should be horizontal then?
I plan on getting a slab of cork bark to the back of the enclosure, and giving them some more cork bark to hide behind.

1. Softwoods (at least the kind sold as pet bedding) contain oils that are harmful to roaches. Softwood that has been rotting for several years outdoors looses these oils. Hardwoods do not contain them at all.
2. You can collect the leaves outdoors and bake them in the oven at 220 degrees for 35 minutes. Make sure they are dead and dry. You don't want green leaves; roaches don't like these.
3. Horizontal tank is fine, just make sure you have that cork bark arranged to give them vertical room to molt.

 

[jebbewocky]

Cool, thanks. I have no idea how to tell if the leaves are from hardwoods though. I guess I'll have to figure it out. Thanks for the help.

 

[ZephAmp]

Cool, thanks. I have no idea how to tell if the leaves are from hardwoods though. I guess I'll have to figure it out. Thanks for the help.

Pretty much anything as long as they're not pine needles.
Oak leaves and maple leaves should be fairly abundant.

 

[jebbewocky]

Pretty much anything as long as they're not pine needles.
Oak leaves and maple leaves should be fairly abundant.

I'll see if I can buy some--I'd rather do that than chance it.
Oh, and another question!

I've noticed some care sheets mention they need rotting wood--is that what the mulch is for, or should I actually give them pieces of rotting wood?:?

 

[ZephAmp]

I'll see if I can buy some--I'd rather do that than chance it.
Oh, and another question!

I've noticed some care sheets mention they need rotting wood--is that what the mulch is for, or should I actually give them pieces of rotting wood?:?

That's what the mulch is for. It's also a good all-around substrate component too.

 

[jebbewocky]

That's what the mulch is for. It's also a good all-around substrate component too.

Sweet. I appreciate all the help ZA.
If I want some more roaches from you in the fall, I'll definitely let you know!

 

[jebbewocky]

Finally got some cypress mulch!
And the roaches had babies! yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy

 

[Mister Internet]

I've found them to breed a bit more readily if they get a decent amount of citrus in their diet as well... just toss a slice or two of orange in per week is what I do, and when I don't, I don't see babies for awhile...

 

[jebbewocky]

I did just give them some orange a little bit ago, first time I gave them any citrus. Hmmm.