The numbers
Enclosure
20-30L bin, good ventilation; can climb as nymphs - barrier + tight lid
Diet
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed · 2-3x/week; remove uneaten
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
50-70%
Identity
Order / Family
Blattodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Beginner–Intermediate
Commonality
Common display roach; skull-like pronotum mark
Adult size
Body 50-60mm; broad, winged (rarely fly)
Lifespan
1-2 yrs
Growth rate
Moderate
Activity & niche
Nocturnal detritivore; burrows/hides
Temperament
Docile; harmless
Venom / defense
Harmless - no bite/venom
Price (THB)
indicative ~100-400 (culture)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
26-30C
Humidity
50-70%
Min. enclosure
20-30L bin, good ventilation; can climb as nymphs - barrier + tight lid
Substrate
Coco/peat 5cm (they burrow); egg-crate/cork hides
Hides / decor / water
Egg flats, cork bark; water crystals or moist veg
Diet
Staple food
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed
Feeding frequency
2-3x/week; remove uneaten
Supplements
Protein for breeding; gut-load if feeder
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Docile; handleable
Communal
Colonial - keep in groups
Defense / stress signs
Burrowing, scattering, musty odour if stressed
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (live-bearing); large broods
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMould, mites, dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsNymphs climb - barrier; quarantine for mites; never release
Good to know
- The black pronotum bears a pattern often read as a skull or bat face
Others in this group
Madagascar hissing cockroachGromphadorhina portentosaDubia roach (feeder staple)Blaptica dubiaRed runner / Turkestan roach (feeder)Shelfordella lateralis (Blatta lateralis)Giant cave cockroachBlaberus giganteusGreen banana roachPanchlora niveaDomino roach (seven-spot)Therea petiverianaHalloween hisserElliptorhina javanicaOrange-head roach (feeder)Eublaberus posticus