Smallest roaches?

[Scythemantis]

As I've said before, I hate using roaches as feeders. They're my favorite animal, and my colony of lobsters was given to me by someone special...I am, however, raising some predators these days and can't keep buying crickets.

The thing is, most of my predators are tiny, and if there's one thing worse than feeding off a roach, it's feeding off a baby roach.

Aren't there any really tiny species that would make adequate feeders? Something where the adults aren't much larger than lobster nymphs? Something that wouldn't establish a colony in a home, obviously, because tiny insects are very easy to lose.

 

[Beeker]

i just use the lobster roach nymphs man they seem to have a crap load and well the nymphs are soft bodied and the only thing that sucks about them is they can climb everything.Other than that im not sure what to tell you.

i say stick with the roaches man... I hate roaches so i don't mind killing them off.

 

[Mister Internet]

Blatta lateralis is gaining quote a bit of popularity from what I've read... they are about lobster-sized, cannot climb smooth surfaces, and purportedly breed as well, if not better than, lobsters... they sound like the perfect small feeder roach. However, they are still kind of pricey and hard to come by....

 

[galeogirl]

Panchlora nivea are pretty small even as adults, but they like to fly, so they can be tricky to catch.

 

[Stylopidae]

As I've said before, I hate using roaches as feeders. They're my favorite animal, and my colony of lobsters was given to me by someone special...I am, however, raising some predators these days and can't keep buying crickets.

The thing is, most of my predators are tiny, and if there's one thing worse than feeding off a roach, it's feeding off a baby roach.

Aren't there any really tiny species that would make adequate feeders? Something where the adults aren't much larger than lobster nymphs? Something that wouldn't establish a colony in a home, obviously, because tiny insects are very easy to lose.

I know at least one member on the boards raises firebrats for feeders, but I don't remember who it was. I don't know if those will infest or not, though. You could try looking into that. Maybe springtails? Or ahpids?

 

[cacoseraph]

you can try feeding pieces of a larger roach to your things.

pretty much all my baby cents, scorps, and taras will accept chunks like that.

just try to switch up what part goes where for nutritional purposes =P

 

[fantasticp]

How about earwigs? I have been using them since they infested one of my millipede tanks. They stay pretty small.

 

[Stylopidae]

How about earwigs? I have been using them since they infested one of my millipede tanks. They stay pretty small.

Some are actually toxic

 

[Scythemantis]

Unfortunately I keep having lobster nymphs hide out and grow to adult size in my vinegaroon's tank no matter WHAT I do...and see above, I definately couldn't chop one up alive.


Firebrats sounds very very interesting. I find them cool, too, so I'd like having a colony either way. I know they can live in houses, but I don't think they are anywhere near as intrusive as cockroaches can be.

I've tried flightless fruit flies too, but they never live more than about two generations despite my efforts.

 

[Stylopidae]

Firebrats sounds very very interesting. I find them cool, too, so I'd like having a colony either way. I know they can live in houses, but I don't think they are anywhere near as intrusive as cockroaches can be.

I was also going to suggest silverfish, but I know for a fact that those can be invasive. My elementary school had an infestation.

Let me know if you go that route...I wouldn't mind trying that myself.

 

[james]

feeders

Yes, I have a decent firebrat colony going. I just got some new sand roach that are small non-climbers, but it will be a little while before I have them for sale. The lateralis are a hair smaller than lobsters and a good non-climber. Although I like lobsters and green banana roaches they are by far my least favorite to clean.
James
www.blaberus.com