Roach colony questions

[Aquanut]

Discoids are my favorite also. I started with 15 and it took a long time to get a decent colony. Part of the problem was i didn't have access to decent info as to how to care for them to get decent growth out of the colony. Now that prices have dropped so much i would suggest starting with at least 50 or 100, you'll be in business so much faster

 

[Stylopidae]

Discoids are my favorite also. I started with 15 and it took a long time to get a decent colony. Part of the problem was i didn't have access to decent info as to how to care for them to get decent growth out of the colony. Now that prices have dropped so much i would suggest starting with at least 50 or 100, you'll be in business so much faster

Any tips? I have a dozen.

 

[Aquanut]

IF you search the threads you'll find a lot of ways to set up. Both www.blaberus.com and www.bugchick.com have good care sheets.
The basics are-
- a container they wont get out of
-places to hide
-warmth
-a variety of high protein foods
- a variety of produce
-a water source

I use a glass aquarium that i wasn't using, most use plastic tubs
I use layers of egg cartons.
I keep the whole container at one temp that varies from 84 to 86. The aquarium is in another enclosure that is heated with a light bulb, the aquarium is wrapped in foil to keep light out. Many use heat lamps, ceramic emitters or under tank heat pads. Most of these give warmer and cooler ares in the container. Many recommend this.
I use cat, dog, chicken and fish food, (i dint grind it) usually at least 2 kinds in at once. Some are higher protein and some are lower. I see what they go for.
Produce at least 2-3 time per week, whatever they will eat, I've heard to avoid broccoli, i don't know why.
For water i highly recommend using water crystals, cheap and easy to use. I use to use sponges on a plate but they get nasty.
If you plan to feed these i would invest in 50-100 more. You'll be able to feed off much sooner.
I hope this helps.

 

[musihuto]

broccoli smells horrible after a few days... and my lateralis colony barely touched it..

- munis

IF you search the threads you'll find a lot of ways to set up. Both www.blaberus.com and www.bugchick.com have good care sheets.
The basics are-
- a container they wont get out of
-places to hide
-warmth
-a variety of high protein foods
- a variety of produce
-a water source

I use a glass aquarium that i wasn't using, most use plastic tubs
I use layers of egg cartons.
I keep the whole container at one temp that varies from 84 to 86. The aquarium is in another enclosure that is heated with a light bulb, the aquarium is wrapped in foil to keep light out. Many use heat lamps, ceramic emitters or under tank heat pads. Most of these give warmer and cooler ares in the container. Many recommend this.
I use cat, dog, chicken and fish food, (i dint grind it) usually at least 2 kinds in at once. Some are higher protein and some are lower. I see what they go for.
Produce at least 2-3 time per week, whatever they will eat, I've heard to avoid broccoli, i don't know why.
For water i highly recommend using water crystals, cheap and easy to use. I use to use sponges on a plate but they get nasty.
If you plan to feed these i would invest in 50-100 more. You'll be able to feed off much sooner.
I hope this helps.

 

[Stylopidae]

Ah...produce. Maybe that's why none of my colonies have super taken off yet. OK.

I'll get some fresh friuts and veggies

 

[Mister Internet]

broccoli smells horrible after a few days... and my lateralis colony barely touched it..

+1

It stinks before 24 hours are even up, and it takes my huge dubia colony about 2.5 days to eat a full stalk. Cucmbers, orange slices, peeled potato, and leaf lettuce are MUCH better...

 

[jbrd]

+1

It stinks before 24 hours are even up, and it takes my huge dubia colony about 2.5 days to eat a full stalk. Cucmbers, orange slices, peeled potato, and leaf lettuce are MUCH better...

My hissers dont like the Broccoli and it looked like a few them died from it ? Do dubias seem to do ok on it?

 

[rodan32]

How much water would you say is appropriate, and how often? I've got a colony of about 60 B. dubia, and I sort of just guess with the water crystals. Any science to it, or is it pretty much just "add more when they run out?

 

[Aquanut]

Thats why i like water crystals, when they are gone i just wipe out the dish and put on some more. I'm sure a constant water source is best.