Best place to buy dubia colony...

[Dragonsandherps]

Those of you who have colonies of dubia roaches, where did you order them? How many did you order? Links would be greatly appreciated. I am tired of spending between $9-$20 a week in crickets! Will golden geckos eat dubias? Tree frogs? Any replies are greatly appreciated!


Dan

 

[CooperDragon]

I ordered a mix pack of around 600 (no adults) from ABDragons to start my colony. It took a few months for them to start getting established but the colony is thriving years later. If you need it faster I'd order some adults but they are more expensive. If you check craigslist, someone may have some extras locally or maybe even a full colony they're trying to get rid of.

 

[Dragonsandherps]

Awesome! Thank you. I happened to order from www.abdragons.com I told Shawn what I had and what I thought I needed on a budget. ($40). He sent me some adults M&F and some babies. I put them in a tub with a screen inserted in the lid, with a heat mat from my tree frogs habitat and everything seems ok with them. I have them in a closet and I only open it once or twice a week to replace food and crystals. I have them eating the orange cubes, veggies, water crystals, and cricket diet. Is this a good food for them?


Dan

 

[CooperDragon]

I'd avoid those orange cubes and water crystals. Don't want them passing chemicals on to your dragon and I've seen molting issues (with crickets) after feeding the orange cubes. Better off feeding fresh veges because they are hydrating, nutritious, and will provide gutload that is passed on to your dragon.

The roaches in my colony LOVE squash, banana, orange slices, bread slices, most kinds of veg scraps, and pumpkin. I more or less treat them like a garbage disposal for leftover salads and veg kitchen scraps and they do well. It's much cheaper than the commercial food too.

 

[Dragonsandherps]

So how do you hydrate them? Just the liquid content in the food? I wasn't aware the cubes and crystals were bad. I have always given those and fresh veggie scraps to my crickets.

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah the veges should have plenty of water in them, especially squash and fruit. My colony is about 3 years old now and have done well with that.