The numbers
Enclosure
Smooth-sided bin (females cannot climb glass) but MALES FLY - keep tight lid; good ventilation
Diet
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed · 2-3x/week; keep dry feed out
Temperature
28-34C (loves heat)
Humidity
30-50% (drier)
Identity
Order / Family
Blattodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Very common fast-breeding feeder
Adult size
Body ~25-30mm; males winged/fly, females wingless amber
Lifespan
~4-9 mo
Growth rate
Very fast (fastest-breeding common feeder)
Activity & niche
Ground runner; fast; nocturnal
Temperament
Skittish, very fast; harmless
Venom / defense
Harmless - no bite/venom
Price (THB)
indicative ~50-200 (starter culture)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
28-34C (loves heat)
Humidity
30-50% (drier)
Min. enclosure
Smooth-sided bin (females cannot climb glass) but MALES FLY - keep tight lid; good ventilation
Substrate
Bare or thin frass; stacked egg-crates
Hides / decor / water
Egg flats; water crystals/gel
Diet
Staple food
Veg/fruit + grain/protein dry feed
Feeding frequency
2-3x/week; keep dry feed out
Supplements
Gut-load before feeding to reptiles
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Fast - mostly a feeder, not a handling pet
Communal
Colonial - very prolific; keep in numbers
Defense / stress signs
Rapid running, scattering
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous: females drop oothecae (egg cases); breeds explosively in warmth
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsFew (very hardy); mites if damp
Red flags / quarantine
SignsMales fly + can establish outdoors if escaped - INVASIVE risk; tight lid; never release; keep contained
Good to know
- Fast, tough and hyper-prolific - the go-to feeder when you need endless roaches, but escapees can colonise warm buildings
Others in this group
Madagascar hissing cockroachGromphadorhina portentosaDubia roach (feeder staple)Blaptica dubiaDeath's head cockroachBlaberus craniiferGiant cave cockroachBlaberus giganteusGreen banana roachPanchlora niveaDomino roach (seven-spot)Therea petiverianaHalloween hisserElliptorhina javanicaOrange-head roach (feeder)Eublaberus posticus