The numbers
Enclosure
20-30L bin, good ventilation; poor climbers - fairly easy to contain
Diet
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed (needs protein or they cannibalise) · 2-3x/week; keep protein available
Temperature
28-32C
Humidity
50-70%
Identity
Order / Family
Blattodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Common feeder; hardy colony
Adult size
Body ~45-50mm; rusty orange-brown, winged
Lifespan
1-2 yrs
Growth rate
Fast (prolific feeder colony)
Activity & niche
Nocturnal detritivore; burrower
Temperament
Docile; harmless
Venom / defense
Harmless - no bite/venom
Price (THB)
indicative ~50-250 (culture)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
28-32C
Humidity
50-70%
Min. enclosure
20-30L bin, good ventilation; poor climbers - fairly easy to contain
Substrate
Thin frass or coco; deep egg-crate stacks
Hides / decor / water
Egg flats; water crystals or moist veg
Diet
Staple food
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed (needs protein or they cannibalise)
Feeding frequency
2-3x/week; keep protein available
Supplements
Protein critical to prevent wing-biting/cannibalism
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Handleable; mostly a feeder
Communal
Colonial - keep in numbers
Defense / stress signs
Burrowing, scattering; wing-biting if under-fed
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (live-bearing); very prolific
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsCannibalism if protein-starved; mites; mould
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQuarantine for mites; provide protein; never release
Good to know
- Deep orange-red nymphs make a colony look like it is glowing when disturbed
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 petiverianaHalloween hisserElliptorhina javanica