Recent Switch from Crickets to Roaches

[jjainseattle]

Recently switched Queso from Crickets to Dubia Roaches (Suggestion by vet at Queso's Annual).

The crickets were housed with Flukers High Calcium Cricket Diet food and Flukers Cricket Quencher (Calcium Fortified) to nibble on.

With the change to the roaches, I am only leaving “Powdered Roach Food" that was supplied by the roach supplier.

Should I be supplementing the roach food and or should I be dusting the roaches with anything when I drop them into the bowl for Queso to eat?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hello jjainseattle ~
Thanks for sharing Queso's recent diet change from crickets to dubia roaches.
How old is Queso? Can you share an image of Queso? Male or female?
Is the roach food actually called "Powdered Roach Food"? Who makes it? Not all insect foods are created equally.
The roach food usually only keeps roaches themselves in good shape.

Definitely dust dubia @ 1 or 2 feedings per week right before you feed them off to Queso.
Which brand & type of multivitamins & calcium carbonate with vitamin D3 do you have right now?

Although dubia are easier to keep than crickets, I've never switched to them because dubia contain more protein than crickets.

 

[jjainseattle]

Hello jjainseattle ~
Thanks for sharing Queso's recent diet change from crickets to dubia roaches.
How old is Queso? Can you share an image of Queso? Male or female?
Is the roach food actually called "Powdered Roach Food"? Who makes it? Not all insect foods are created equally.
The roach food usually only keeps roaches themselves in good shape.

Definitely dust dubia @ 1 or 2 feedings per week right before you feed them off to Queso.
Which brand & type of multivitamins & calcium carbonate with vitamin D3 do you have right now?

Although dubia are easier to keep than crickets, I've never switched to them because dubia contain more protein than crickets.

Here are some photos of Quesso
Photos

The food that was sent with the Dubias is called “Roach Chow”
Not certain if he is male or female. I just call home a he.
I dont dust or give him any supplements currently
Queso is about 5 or so years old

Here is a photo of his Home - Home

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

"Here are some photos of Quesso
Photos

The food that was sent with the Dubias is called “Roach Chow”
Not certain if he is male or female. I just call home a he.
I dont dust or give him any supplements currently
Queso is about 5 or so years old

Here is a photo of his Home - Home "
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When I scroll down without signing in to Imgur I see 2 photos of Queso. In the 2nd photo Queso is bright-eyed & 'bushy-tailed' & looking right at us!
I also see 1 photo of his home.

Queso looks 'well fed'. His body is kinda stocky!

1. Was there a brand name on your "Roach Chow" or was it packaged just for you from a larger container? I'm looking for the ingredients.
2. When you attach your images/files, a PW isn't required to see them. That's a BIG bonus for GU members!
3. See the words below next to a paper clip: "Attach files"? Please Attach image files to share them instead of using Imgur. That makes files much easier to access. That also makes feedback on files much easier.
4. Please share a picture of Queso's vent taken from the underneath. IF you see 2 bulges near Queso's vent, Queso is male.
5. Does Queso's enclosure = 10 gallons?
6. Is it possible to upgrade his enclosure to a 20 gallon long: 30 inches long x 12.5 inches wide x 16 inches tall? A 20 long is the bare minimum. These days many leopard gecko keepers even use 36 x 18 x 18 inch enclosures with UVB! I'm certain Queso would love more space.
7. Does Queso have UVB lighting above his enclosure?
8. Please share the types & brands his overhead bulbs are on left & right sides of his enclosure.

 

[jjainseattle]

Added the photos directly to the post.

Any recommendations of what I should dust the roaches with. Brand and product would be appreciated.

Also on the tank size. He is currently in a 30 wide by 16 tall by 12 deep. Is this not sufficient for him. If not what size would be recommended?

The light on the left is a Lucky Herp UVB 10.0 and is on a timer for about 12 hours per day.

The heat lamp is a flickers ceramic heat emitter 100 watts

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi jjainseattle ~
Do you see the 'envelope' icon to the right of your name at the very top of the sign-in page? Please click that to find a comprehensive message I sent you earlier under Conversations.
Liz

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

"Any recommendations of what I should dust the roaches with. Brand and product would be appreciated."
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I'm sorry for my delays getting back with you on feeding & dusting Queso's roaches.

I recommend Repashy's Bug Burger Insect Diet (a gel premix) for feeding crickets, roaches, & other insects.
A couple times per week add a jar lid of sliced carrots to give roaches moisture & beta carotene (pro-vitamin A).

It's also important to dust those insects with Zoo Med's Reptivite multivitamins withOUT vitamin D3 @ 1 feeding per week to provide pre-vitamin A (retinol) for healthy eyes & skin.

From Schedule 156 -- taken from Linked Gecko Care Articles:
"Feed dusted prey 2x per week.

• Monday > > crickets or dubia dusted with Zoo Med's ReptiVite multivitamins withOUT D3
• Thursday > > crickets or dubia dusted with pure precipitated calcium carbonate withOUT D3 (Zoo Med's blue-labeled Repti Calcium or NOW's human-grade pure calcium carbonate)
• Saturday > > Optional: mealworms, superworms, or black soldier fly larvae (Phoenix worms) > > no dusting}"

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi jjainseattle ~
Please scroll back 1 message to see my recommendations for food & dusting for Queso's roaches.

I'm worried whether potentially harmful rays are being produced by Queso's Lucky Herp UVB 10.0 compact fluorescent bulb. Often brands like these just aren't safe.

How long has he been using this Lucky Herp UVB 10.0?
Until we verify it's safety, you may wish to disconnect it?

IF Queso's been absorbing UVB from the Lucky Herp UVB 10 bulb without any burns or any other difficulties, his vitamin D3 needs may be covered.


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