Gsc Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 Recently I've considered starting a colony of Polyphaga sp. roaches. Anyone here keep them or have experience with them? I've read that they prefer it drier than most species.... 1) What should I use for substrate? Would a mixture of washed play sand, rotten wood, coco fiber & leaves work? If so, any ideas on ratios? 2) Special food requirements? 3) How dry should the cage be kept? Thanks in advance for the advice everyone.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allpet Roaches Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 1. An inch of coco fiber or potting soil covered by an inch of pulverized rotten leaves would work. 2. Polyphagids feed on dog food and fruit in small amounts (it's very easy to overfeed). 3. Most polyphagids will not survive dryness but they also will not survive water-logged substrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt K Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 I have the best luck with them! I also think they can be the most rewarding in some respects. Some Polyphagids can *tolerate* dryness, but I know of only one that seem to be Ok with it but still needs humidity (desert roach) and moisture at one location in the habitat. My best example: I bought some Polyphagus aegyptica from Orin a while back. They have grown like weeds into adults and begun to reproduce. I keep them slightly deeper substrate than what Orin mentioned, and the bottom half is always obviously withholding moisture but not wet or soggy...just to where is barely holds together when a ball it squeezed in your hand and then falls back apart. The top half get sprayed until its pretty damp, then I let it get dry, but not too long, and then spray again. They eat oak and walnut leaves, and almost NOTHING else. A dozen of them might eat a Cheerio or two every week/other week, or each take a bite out of a carrot bit, but seem to not eat most fruits and veggies (though they may take one tiny bite out of it). Some fish food had gone into the enclosure and dissapeared, but only very small amounts. Nymphs stay burrowed, deep, and adults live just under the surface leaves. Contrary to this my Therea stay a little on the damp side, and so do Ergaula, though they have both gotten a little dry from time to time. Graham, from what you have posted about your work schedule, frankly I think you would probably do very well with Polyphagids based on my personal experiences with them. I would also recommend you get them from Orin to try out, his are the prettiest if you are particular about your livestock, but that's my 2 cents.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roachsmith Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 Thanks for the info! I'm new to both of these species (Polyphagids and therea) so that was really helpful. I have a whole bag of oak leaves that I've been collecting from my grandparents house. For my P. aegyptica I have slightly sandy peat about 3" deep. I noticed that once I put oak leaves in my roach tanks, some of them stopped eating their other food like my l. subcinta. It seems that all the species I keep enjoy eating oak leaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsc Posted August 16, 2007 Author Share Posted August 16, 2007 Thanks everyone- sounds like I just keep them as I do most of my other species...I will get a group from Orin on my next roach order...they are really cool looking critters. Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt K Posted August 23, 2007 Share Posted August 23, 2007 ...Also, I think Polyphagids require less maintenance and more patience! But you can't let them go too neglected or they go bust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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