macksnowgecko
New member
I've seen alot of Roaches for sale and still don't know what one is best for my Leopard Geckos
Which Roach is best for a Leopard Gecko
- Thread starter macksnowgecko
- Start date
Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
I would suggest either lateralis or dubia (or both). I breed both and both have their positives and negatives for feeding to various species. But both work equally well with leos.
Airedale
New member
I would definitely choose Dubia. They get fairly large, about 1.5-2 inches. Generally what I do is this: When I bought my starter colony from ROACH PAGE (excellent service, fast shipping, healthy animals), I bought the starter kit, plus 100 adult males as feeders. So far, while I have been waiting for my colony to get started, I have only been feeding the males. None of my leos are large enough to eat a whole one (Well, one is, but it is a tight fit, and I don't want to risk her life) What I do is I actually kill the live roaches, tear them in half, and then feed the halves with feeding tongs. All of our geckos can swallow these, even the babies. Also, if you do choose Dubia and feed the males, tear off their wings (they can't fly, but it harder for a leo to get it down if they still have their wings)
To put it shortly, Dubia can't fly, can't climb, live a long time (unless they get loose, which causes them to die quickly) easy to breed, the perfect feeder!
Good Luck
Jim AKA Airedale
To put it shortly, Dubia can't fly, can't climb, live a long time (unless they get loose, which causes them to die quickly) easy to breed, the perfect feeder!
Good Luck
Jim AKA Airedale
macksnowgecko
New member
ok how much came in the started colony?
macksnowgecko
New member
Do you know if Blaberus Hybrids are any better because I am talking to a local guy with a colony with 100 adults, I read that the hybrids breed more. But the guy only wants $20 for the whole colony with babies and also a small Dubia colony with 25 adults.
Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
If you want something that breeds fast, go with Lateralis. They breed much faster than Dubia and cost less to get started with as well. I also like that they don't burry themselves like Dubia do. One other nice thing about lateralis is that they're fast like a cricket. So they tend to give the geckos a bit of exercise chasing them around as well. As for hybrid roaches, I don't know anything about them. You have to wonder why the guy is getting rid of them. Will the second generation even be able to reproduce (many hybrids can't)?
sciteacher
New member
I breed 4 species of roaches, and I'd agree with Ethan that the lateralis are the fastest reproducers and they make up the bulk of my feeders. They elicit a greater feeder response because of their activity level. The dubia nymphs are fine if your geckos will feed from a dish or tongs, but they tend to "freeze" in place and most geckos will pass right by them and not recognize them as food unless they move.
My adult dubias and discoids are just "nymph factories". I don't have anything large enough to eat them, and I certainly don't have the time to cut them up into bite sized pieces. If I had to "slice and dice" adult dubias to make them a feedable size, I think I'd go back to crickets.
And as for the blaberus hybrids... I don't keep any, but from what I understand, they do breed on, and may in fact be a bit more productive simply because of the genetic vigor the cross brings. A lot of people's feeder roach colonies are actually rather inbred and over a period of generations, and that can lead to reduced production. I try to add in some new roaches occasionally to refresh my lines, but I produce more than I can use anyway, so it's not a big concern for me. As far as I know, we don't have a lot of "wild blood" being added into the feeder roach population. Not because it would be difficult to do, but simply because it's not seen as a real priority. Crossing a couple of the blaberus lines probably does give a fresh infusion of blood that results in higher production.
Gary Hamann
Ridge and Valley Reptiles
My adult dubias and discoids are just "nymph factories". I don't have anything large enough to eat them, and I certainly don't have the time to cut them up into bite sized pieces. If I had to "slice and dice" adult dubias to make them a feedable size, I think I'd go back to crickets.
And as for the blaberus hybrids... I don't keep any, but from what I understand, they do breed on, and may in fact be a bit more productive simply because of the genetic vigor the cross brings. A lot of people's feeder roach colonies are actually rather inbred and over a period of generations, and that can lead to reduced production. I try to add in some new roaches occasionally to refresh my lines, but I produce more than I can use anyway, so it's not a big concern for me. As far as I know, we don't have a lot of "wild blood" being added into the feeder roach population. Not because it would be difficult to do, but simply because it's not seen as a real priority. Crossing a couple of the blaberus lines probably does give a fresh infusion of blood that results in higher production.
Gary Hamann
Ridge and Valley Reptiles
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macksnowgecko
New member
Ya I just read on Balberus.com that they breed a lot more and those were craniffer and Fuscha Hybrids and that was what the guy said they were and they were $40 for 50, so I think I will buy them and at least try them and if they arent working out then im sure I can find someone that can use them