The numbers
Enclosure
10-20L ventilated tub with cross-ventilation; secure lid; smooth-side + vaseline barrier (males climb glass)
Diet
Veg/fruit + grain (dog/fish/chick feed for protein) · 2-3x/week; remove uneaten to avoid mould/mites
Temperature
24-30C (75-85F)
Humidity
50-70% (mist every other day)
Identity
Order / Family
Blattodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Very common in the pet trade; a classroom/handling favourite
Adult size
Body 50-75mm; wingless, glossy brown
Lifespan
2-5 yrs (long-lived for a roach)
Growth rate
Moderate (6 nymphal months to maturity)
Activity & niche
Nocturnal detritivore; ground/bark climber
Temperament
Docile, slow, tolerant of handling
Venom / defense
Harmless - no bite/venom; hisses by forcing air through spiracles
Price (THB)
indicative ~80-300 (per adult / small culture)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24-30C (75-85F)
Humidity
50-70% (mist every other day)
Min. enclosure
10-20L ventilated tub with cross-ventilation; secure lid; smooth-side + vaseline barrier (males climb glass)
Substrate
Peat/coco fibre 3-5cm; egg-crate/cork hides
Hides / decor / water
Egg flats, cork bark; water crystals or fruit for moisture
Diet
Staple food
Veg/fruit + grain (dog/fish/chick feed for protein)
Feeding frequency
2-3x/week; remove uneaten to avoid mould/mites
Supplements
Protein source for breeding; dust with calcium if used as feeders
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Docile - one of the few handleable inverts; move slowly
Communal
Colonial - keep in groups; males spar with horns but rarely injure
Defense / stress signs
Loud hissing, freezing, retreating to hides
Reproduction
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (live-bearing): female carries ootheca internally, births 20-60 live nymphs
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsMites (grain-mite blooms), mould, dehydration
Red flags / quarantine
SignsClimbers - barrier + tight lid; quarantine new stock for mites; never release
Good to know
- One of the few insects that makes sound through its breathing holes, not by rubbing body parts
Others in this group
Dubia 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 javanicaOrange-head roach (feeder)Eublaberus posticus