macbrush Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 My Blaberus giganteus recently started some really bad cannibalising all the newly molted individuals. I feed them mostly parrot pallets, with some cat pallets every few days, and occasionally fresh veggies and fruits left over from my kitchen. Could it be over crowded or the weather is getting cooler? Just want some ideas, maybe its nothing, maybe they've been doing it all the time, and just happened I notice the last few times. Cheers Kenneth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantisMan Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 my fuscas ate a whole hisser once they need fish flakes to keep satisfied Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allpet Roaches Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 Usually when you see cannibalism it's a response to moisture needs. Overcrowding is another cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbrush Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 Arh, that make sense, since the tub getting a little overcrowded, and as the weather is getting cold, humidity also dropped quite a bit. Thanks Kenneth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted November 24, 2012 Share Posted November 24, 2012 In my experience moisture and lack of enough protein. Fruits such as apples and oranges have lots of juice so they are great, giganteus also love bananas. Romaine lettuce has water in it too. As far as protein cat food is good, but when it's dry they don't eat as much as if its wet. I don't know your enclosure setup, I use wood chips and mist my tank once a day with a spray bottle filled with water, humidity aids in shedding and they drink the water droplets, it will moisten the food and make it easier to eat. You can also feed turkey baby food in a very shallow dish, as well as apple and banana flavors too. Even put some dry oak leaves and rotting tree bark in. Your roaches will not cannibalize after all this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbrush Posted November 25, 2012 Author Share Posted November 25, 2012 Thanks for the reply, I think I'll try increase humidity and possibly do some culling of the colony and see how it goes. Its really packed in the tub, whenever I throw food in there, I just have to spread the food in the tub, and they came out like cockroach attack in movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 Why not buy an extra tub and divide the colony in half, no point culling good stock, and perhaps people might buy from you so you make some $ off them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZOO CENTRE Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 In my experience moisture and lack of enough protein. Fruits such as apples and oranges have lots of juice so they are great, giganteus also love bananas. Romaine lettuce has water in it too. As far as protein cat food is good, but when it's dry they don't eat as much as if its wet. I don't know your enclosure setup, I use wood chips and mist my tank once a day with a spray bottle filled with water, humidity aids in shedding and they drink the water droplets, it will moisten the food and make it easier to eat. You can also feed turkey baby food in a very shallow dish, as well as apple and banana flavors too. Even put some dry oak leaves and rotting tree bark in. Your roaches will not cannibalize after all this. I absolutely agree- moisture and protein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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