Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

GJ · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:56 pm Post subject: What to feed?

My dubia roaches are eating very little does anybody have any suggestions on what to feed.

Iv been feeding dry cat/dog biscuits with potato,carrots,parsnip,dandelion leaves and oranges and i am throwing away more than whats being eaten. I have seen 50 small-medium crickets polish off more food then my roaches, both are similar in size but roaches are of a greater number.

Also when offering cat/dog biscuits is it better to grind up the food into a powder before offering?

johne.ev · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:41 pm Post subject:

Hi GJ.
Iv'e been having exactly the same problem. i have tried raising the temps 85 hot end 80 cooler, feeding recomended fruit & veg but i haven't even seen any feeding. i crushed up cat food but not sure if needed. just leaving them to it now, in case i was disturbing them too much. good luck .

Rickeezee · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:37 pm Post subject:

Use also green salad to provide moisture and slices of apple. I use wheat bran also and odds and ends of vegetable scraps. Dog or cat food I use dry and just crush it up a bit.

Mine eat but dont eat loads. But are reproducing.

I must admit my personal preference is for lobster roaches they devour everything put in front of them and breed like mad things! Same as my red runners and to a degree my deathheads the death heads are less prolific and live life in the slow lane.

I know most folk rate Dubia, and I dont argue with this at all, but my firm favourite is the lobster roaches without a doubt but each to their own.

I may get some more dubia from another supplier to see if these fair better.

I am not knocking my original supplier in any way I hasten to add. Am just interested to see if there is any difference.

Anyone else got any tips on dubia husbandry that may help please?

Lobsters Laughing

_________________
www.rickslivefood.co.uk

Rickeezee · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:55 pm Post subject:

Keep em hotter guys I have recently tried some on an unstated heat mat, they are better. But you guessed it, I still prefer me lobsters Laughing

Orange Spotted Cockroaches
(Blaptica dubia)

Note : Referred to as orange spotted roaches, yet another unrelated species also shares this common name

Daytime temps 90 to 95 - night time temps above 65
Lifespan 1.5 years
Max length 1½"
Reach adult size in 2 to 3 months at 95 degrees
Sexual maturity in 2 months
Females can produce up to 30 young at a time
Gestation period approximately 25 days
Flightless but adults can "flutter" for short distances
Non glass climbers, but a lid is recommended
Fresh fruits and vegetables offered twice a week may help to promote breeding
_________________
www.rickslivefood.co.uk

GJ · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the advice.

I providing them with the same care as my lobsters. I chuck in fruit & veg every other day and mist them regularly for moisture.

Temps range from 70f-80f so i believe I'm keeping them too low, i will boost the temperatures and offer more greens.

Rickeezee · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:34 pm Post subject:

johne.ev · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 9:19 pm Post subject:

Have raised my temps & mine are now feeding, althoug not a great deal.

Rickeezee · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 9:33 pm Post subject:

Insectsunlimited · Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:48 am Post subject: Feeding B. dubia.

Hi There, I can only agree with Rick on all he says about "the lobster". They are the quickest to mature, the most prolific breeder & with the highest nutritional value & best shell/meat ratio of any roach, which makes them my favourite (in a "feeder roach" sense). Sadly, they are also the most invasive & if you are worried about being overrun with them, your nearest option is B. dubia. ( A lot of people consider wood roaches too quick to cope with).
B. dubia is the one I steer people to that want the "best roach that doesn`t climb". It is also much more docile & manageable. Having said that, they are slower to mature, slower to breed (which is why they don`t eat as much as their metabolism is much slower), ideally need a larger colony to be happy in to breed. Once your colony is about 1,000 strong, they breed much quicker. They also like higher temperatures... I keep mine in the same room as my hissers (between 92 & 95d F).
N.B. The Blaptica dubia is the Guyanan orange spotted roach. Not to be confused with Eublaberus distanti (6 spot roach) or Eublaberus prosticus (orange headed roach).
_________________
Dave Messer @ Insectsunlimited.

It may be the early bird that gets the worm but it`s the 2nd mouse that gets the cheese.

GJ · Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 7:49 pm Post subject:

Well, after upping the temperatures 86-92 they have been doing better, however as Rick previously mentioned i was finding quite a few dead(dryed up), so i decided to use a little topsoil for substrate. I have been giving it a light misting every couple of weeks and have provided a damp spot in the corner to boost humidity. I now need to adjust the ventilation and the level of humidity to prevent the moulding of the fruit & veg Mad

.

I have been told that they like fruit (apples & oranges in particular).