Breeding Roach Set Up Big Enough?

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halima16

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So I just went to LLL Reptile yesterday to buy supplies for my Dubia Roach colony set up. I am kind of bummed because I should of done more research beforehand and the employees didn't really seem to know how to help me. Anyway, I bought a tank that is 14" x 8" x 10" and I am worried it may be too small. I am only feeding one dragon though and I don't want my colony to get out of hand. I am really not sure how many gallons it is because even the guy at the counter didn't know. :roll:

Then I purchased 25 medium Dubia roaches and the guy at the counter said I could definitely get a colony started with that, it will just take a few months.

Anyway, I am just wondering what you guys think I should do or improve on to ensure I can have a colony sometime in the near future haha.
 

CooperDragon

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That's about a 5gal. It's pretty small for a full colony but when the colony gets big enough you can just migrate them to a large rubbermaid tote bin. Just cut a big hole (most of the top) and cover it with some mesh screen for ventilation. They seem to like living in the cardboard rolls from paper towels and toilet paper as well as egg cartons. 25 medium may take a long time to establish if there are no adults. I ordered a mixed pack no adults of about 500 to get started and it was a few months before I saw a new generation. The adults are a bit more expensive to buy up front though.

Here is a good care guide for more info on them https://www.southtexasdragons.com/dubia-roaches.html
 

halima16

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CooperDragon":ofcq9w96 said:
That's about a 5gal. It's pretty small for a full colony but when the colony gets big enough you can just migrate them to a large rubbermaid tote bin. Just cut a big hole (most of the top) and cover it with some mesh screen for ventilation. They seem to like living in the cardboard rolls from paper towels and toilet paper as well as egg cartons. 25 medium may take a long time to establish if there are no adults. I ordered a mixed pack no adults of about 500 to get started and it was a few months before I saw a new generation. The adults are a bit more expensive to buy up front though.

Here is a good care guide for more info on them https://www.southtexasdragons.com/dubia-roaches.html

Thanks! I will just keep them in the smaller tank for now and then transfer them over. But I am glad that I am finally getting my colony started.

Should I get some adults or buy more medium sized ones to speed up the process?
 

CooperDragon

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If you want to speed up the process I'd get some adults (esp females at maybe a 4:1 ratio). If you have leftover budget, I'd get some more mixed sizes to increase the amount you have in each generation.
 

halima16

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CooperDragon":5midfasw said:
If you want to speed up the process I'd get some adults (esp females at maybe a 4:1 ratio). If you have leftover budget, I'd get some more mixed sizes to increase the amount you have in each generation.

Thanks!! Yeah I ended up buying some large ones on Sunday to add to the mix. However, I am not sure where to get adults. The reptile store I went to didn't have any full grown roaches and I heard they tend to feed the females and so you only end up with males anyway.
 

CooperDragon

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The adults are a bit harder to find and are more expensive (especially females as you've seen). Don't worry though just keep offering lots of fresh veges and they'll grow up quickly enough. I like to offer the occasional banana, orange slices, or bread slices and they like those a lot as a treat. Squash is a good staple for them but they'll compost most veg scraps happily.
 
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