The numbers
Enclosure
10-20L ventilated tub; climbers - barrier + tight lid
Diet
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed · 2-3x/week
Temperature
24-30C
Humidity
50-70%
Identity
Order / Family
Blattodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Common pet hisser; smaller than G. portentosa
Adult size
Body 40-55mm; black with orange banding
Lifespan
2-4 yrs
Growth rate
Moderate
Activity & niche
Nocturnal detritivore; bark climber
Temperament
Docile, handleable
Venom / defense
Harmless - no bite/venom; hisses
Price (THB)
indicative ~80-300 (culture)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24-30C
Humidity
50-70%
Min. enclosure
10-20L ventilated tub; climbers - barrier + tight lid
Substrate
Peat/coco 3-5cm; cork bark/egg-crate hides
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, egg flats; water crystals or fruit
Diet
Staple food
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed
Feeding frequency
2-3x/week
Supplements
Protein for breeding
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Docile - good handling roach
Communal
Colonial - keep in groups
Defense / stress signs
Hissing, freezing, retreating
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (live-bearing); moderate broods
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMites, mould, dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsClimbers - barrier + lid; quarantine for mites; never release
Good to know
- Its black-and-orange banding earns the 'Halloween' name; a tamer, tidier hisser
Others in this group
Madagascar hissing cockroachGromphadorhina portentosaDubia roach (feeder staple)Blaptica dubiaRed runner / Turkestan roach (feeder)Shelfordella lateralis (Blatta lateralis)Death's head cockroachBlaberus craniiferGiant cave cockroachBlaberus giganteusGreen banana roachPanchlora niveaDomino roach (seven-spot)Therea petiverianaOrange-head roach (feeder)Eublaberus posticus