The numbers
Enclosure
10-30L smooth-sided bin - CANNOT climb smooth walls or fly well (excellent containment); good ventilation
Diet
Veg/fruit + grain-based dry feed (chick crumb, oats) for protein · 2-3x/week; keep dry feed available
Temperature
28-32C (warm to breed fast)
Humidity
40-60%
Identity
Order / Family
Blattodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
The most popular feeder roach; also kept as easy pet
Adult size
Body 35-45mm; males winged, females broader/wingless
Lifespan
1-2 yrs
Growth rate
Moderate (feeder colony scales well)
Activity & niche
Nocturnal detritivore; hides in egg-crates
Temperament
Docile, slow; harmless
Venom / defense
Harmless - no bite/venom
Price (THB)
indicative ~50-200 (starter culture / by portion)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
28-32C (warm to breed fast)
Humidity
40-60%
Min. enclosure
10-30L smooth-sided bin - CANNOT climb smooth walls or fly well (excellent containment); good ventilation
Substrate
Bare or thin frass; stacked egg-crates for surface area
Hides / decor / water
Egg flats; water crystals/gel or moist veg
Diet
Staple food
Veg/fruit + grain-based dry feed (chick crumb, oats) for protein
Feeding frequency
2-3x/week; keep dry feed available
Supplements
Gut-load (greens/carrot) before feeding to reptiles
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Handleable; mostly kept as feeders
Communal
Colonial - keep in numbers; no cannibalism if fed
Defense / stress signs
Scattering to hides, playing dead
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (live-bearing); ~20-35 nymphs per brood; prolific at warmth
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMites/mould if damp; slow breeding if cool
Red flags / quarantine
SignsBest-contained roach (no climb/flight) but still quarantine for mites; never release
Good to know
- Its inability to climb glass or fly makes it the go-to escape-proof feeder colony
Others in this group
Madagascar hissing cockroachGromphadorhina portentosaRed runner / Turkestan roach (feeder)Shelfordella lateralis (Blatta lateralis)Death's head cockroachBlaberus craniiferGiant cave cockroachBlaberus giganteusGreen banana roachPanchlora niveaDomino roach (seven-spot)Therea petiverianaHalloween hisserElliptorhina javanicaOrange-head roach (feeder)Eublaberus posticus