aquanut Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 I'm getting some peppered roaches tomorrow and would like input on care parameters. I've had discoids and dubias for years with much success and was planning on caring for them the same way. Any input would be appreciated. I keep them at 84 - 88 degrees F. Feed dog, cat fish and chicken food along with a variety of produce 2-3 times a week and water crystals for moisture. I use egg crates for habitat, bran for substrate and keep them fairly dark. I live in the desert so the humidity is fairly low. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allpet Roaches Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Bran substrate sounds a little scary but if you've had luck with discoids and dubia you should do fine. Archimandrita are much slower breeding and reproduce in lower numbers than those species. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roachsmith Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 They like to burrow (at least nymphs do). I keep mine on about 4" of peat. One of their favorite foods seems to be carrots and butternut squash. Mine are doing good, but they do grow very slowly. I've had a few sub adults for several months. They're huge but don't seem to want to moult into adults. I just need to be more patient I guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsc Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 I've had them in the past. I used to keep them in a larger tupperware with ~3" of the cocofibre bedding. Like everyone said above...VERY SLOW growing... they are well worth the wait. I had finally given up on getting nymphs and then one day while feeding them I found some... just took longer than expected to establish the colony. They are awesome roaches- large size..handleable- and just palin: pretty. Good luck with them- you'll really like this species. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquanut Posted August 31, 2007 Author Share Posted August 31, 2007 Bran substrate sounds a little scary but if you've had luck with discoids and dubia you should do fine. Archimandrita are much slower breeding and reproduce in lower numbers than those species. Just curious what makes you nervous about using bran as substrate. I use it for the others because its smaller grained than the small nymphs and i can sift through it easily, they also seem to enjoy grazing on it a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquanut Posted August 31, 2007 Author Share Posted August 31, 2007 Thanks all. I have feeders up the who-ha, got these strictly to play with and show off. Not worried about breeding, although i am impatient to have the first one molt to adult! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt K Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 Just curious what makes you nervous about using bran as substrate. I use it for the others because its smaller grained than the small nymphs and i can sift through it easily, they also seem to enjoy grazing on it a little. Bran in more humid areas = mite infestation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquanut Posted September 1, 2007 Author Share Posted September 1, 2007 Bran in more humid areas = mite infestation. Specifically bran or any absorptive substrate? I never used any substrate for a long time but like something for the little ones to hide in. They generate there own substrate soon enough. Never have had mite problems, i live in a very low humidity area. I did have problems with the substrate getting damp and molding until i put in supports under the egg crates to raise them just above the bran so there was air movement underneath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquanut Posted September 1, 2007 Author Share Posted September 1, 2007 Specifically bran or any absorptive substrate? I never used any substrate for a long time but like something for the little ones to hide in. They generate there own substrate soon enough. Never have had mite problems, i live in a very low humidity area. I did have problems with the substrate getting damp and molding until i put in supports under the egg crates to raise them just above the bran so there was air movement underneath. oops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted September 18, 2007 Share Posted September 18, 2007 I've got mine on no substrate, waiting a while for them to molt but haven't seen anything, but they are very beautiful as nymphs and adults. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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