The numbers
Enclosure
15-30L ventilated bin; adults can fly/climb a little - tight lid
Diet
Veg/fruit + grain-based dry food; leaf litter grazed · 2-3x/week
Temperature
26-32C (warm, drier than tropical roaches)
Humidity
40-60% with a moist corner
Identity
Order / Family
Blattodea
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; not CITES
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Popular striking black-and-white display roach
Adult size
Body 22-27mm; black with white spots (domino pattern)
Lifespan
~1-1.5 yrs
Growth rate
Moderate; nymphs burrow for months
Activity & niche
Diurnal-ish ground dweller; nymphs burrow in sand/litter
Temperament
Docile, active; harmless
Venom / defense
Harmless - no bite/venom
Price (THB)
indicative ~100-400 (culture)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
26-32C (warm, drier than tropical roaches)
Humidity
40-60% with a moist corner
Min. enclosure
15-30L ventilated bin; adults can fly/climb a little - tight lid
Substrate
Sandy soil / coco + leaf litter 5cm (nymphs burrow); good ventilation
Hides / decor / water
Leaf litter, cork bark; light misting one corner
Diet
Staple food
Veg/fruit + grain-based dry food; leaf litter grazed
Feeding frequency
2-3x/week
Supplements
Protein for breeding
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Docile; active - handle over a bin
Communal
Colonial - keep in groups
Defense / stress signs
Burrowing, quick running
Reproduction
Reproduction
Oviparous: drops oothecae (egg cases) into substrate - unlike live-bearing Blaberids
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsToo-wet substrate kills; mites; mould
Red flags / quarantine
SignsKeep drier + ventilated; quarantine for mites; never release non-natives
Good to know
- Its bold black-and-white 'domino' spots mimic a distasteful blister beetle for protection
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 niveaHalloween hisserElliptorhina javanicaOrange-head roach (feeder)Eublaberus posticus