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Thread: Roach Colony

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    College Park, MD
    Posts
    92

    Default Roach Colony

    I'm thinking about starting a roach colony for a tegu hatchling an had a couple questions. First what size roach is appropriate for a tegu hatchling? I've seen 1/8-1/4 which are small, 1/2-3/4 medium and 1+ are the large. How long does it take for a colony to be self sustaining? And what is the recommended roach for a tegu? I know about hissing and dubia roaches but are there others out there that would be better? Also, how long do they generally take to reach adult breeding age? Thanks for the help!
    1.0.0 Black & White Argentine Tegu-Kronos
    0.0.1 Normal Corn Snake
    0.0.1 Colombian Red-Tailed Boa

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Northern Nevada
    Posts
    98

    Default

    I raise Dubia, and I have always fed Ssra 1/2" and up - he was 11" when I got him. As for the colony being self-sustaining, it really depends on how much you are feeding. Ssra would normally eat 25-30 dubia per day. If you have probably 50 females I would say it would be self sustaining within a few months. Eventually, the dubia adults will be too small to interest them. Ssra is 32" now, and he can eat the adult males, although he likes them pre-adult molt. I am looking at getting some hissers to raise for him for next year. Roaches are very similar nutritionally speaking, so the breed isn't as important as the size they reach. It will take 3-5 months for dubia to reach adult phase - keep them 90-95 degrees and they grow faster - and they breed best at that temp also. I hope I covered everything =) If you need any more help, just let me know.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    College Park, MD
    Posts
    92

    Default

    How big of a tub/environment do you need for a colony? also, is it easy to sex roaches visually or is it random what you're feeding? Thanks!
    1.0.0 Black & White Argentine Tegu-Kronos
    0.0.1 Normal Corn Snake
    0.0.1 Colombian Red-Tailed Boa

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Northern Nevada
    Posts
    98

    Default

    I use sterilite tubs (I would start with an 18 gallon) and paper egg crates. Here is a link that has a picture for sexing them - it is really easy. http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forum...a-roaches.html

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    College Park, MD
    Posts
    92

    Default

    Great thanks! One more quick question, can dubia roaches bite? I'm wondering if I should buy feeding tongs or if I can just grab them with my hand.
    1.0.0 Black & White Argentine Tegu-Kronos
    0.0.1 Normal Corn Snake
    0.0.1 Colombian Red-Tailed Boa

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    College Park, MD
    Posts
    92

    Default

    Sorry, not last question lol how much do you feed them? how often do you change water crystals and clean out the cage? Should you remove dead roaches or will they take care of that? thanks!
    1.0.0 Black & White Argentine Tegu-Kronos
    0.0.1 Normal Corn Snake
    0.0.1 Colombian Red-Tailed Boa

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