Roaches

[KenW]

I've had the orange head roaches and they breed pretty fast. I got about 6 adults from the local pet store and my little colony got big in no time. This colony grew fast compared to my other roaches.

I did get rid of the orange head colony because of 2 reasons: 1) it smelled and 2) it was wet. Unlike my discoid, peppered, and hissers, the orange heads had an odor. Also, when I lifted up pieces of cork bark, the bark and vermiculite substrate were damp. I've read that these two factors are not unusual in orange head cages. There's nothing wrong with a wet, smelly cage. It just wasn't for me. :}

Good luck with Blaberus giganteus. I want to try those out someday.

 

[Dark]

I did hear that Orange headeds do have a smell defense mechanism but does it radiate? Will It smell up an entire room or just the tank till there is no more intruders? For Having wet substrate, to prevent that I have decided to have no substrate so that it is easier to clean.
Thanks!

Eric

 

[KenW]

Darkpredator,
I don't remember how bad the smell of the orange head roaches was. I definitely remember it would smell everytime I opened up their critter keeper cage and put in food. I think it did stink up the corner of the room where I keep my roaches and other invertebrates. Maybe someone else who currently keeps them can report in about the smell.

It got so wet in the cage that there would even be condensation drops on the lower edges of the cage. My vermiculite substrate usually absorbs any moisture in the roach cages, but these orange heads created conditions with lots of moisture. I do like to keep a substrate in my roach cages to hide their poop and to give them a place to dig into and hide, especially the young ones.

Also, the orange heads should do well in a 10 gallon tank at those temps you mentioned. Someone told me to keep them hot and feed them a lot and you will be successful with roaches.

 

[Dark]

Thanks for all Replys,

My friend recent gave me one of his Orange Headed roaches,
thought I would take a pic of it in its new tank.
(Still ordering more of the Orange Headeds)

Enjoy