Dubia Roaches

[HerpDerp]

So I got really excited when I saw on craigslist that someone was selling Dubia Roaches a couple towns over. I've never seen them in a pet store where I am... they're just not that common. From what I've read they're a good staple diet and are extremely easy to breed. So of course I jumped on that opportunity! I met up with the guy and he gave me a dozen to try out before I go and buy 100 of them. I'll admit, it felt very odd meeting up with someone in a grocery store parking lot to pick up cockroaches LOL.

Anyways, I got them home and tried one of the smaller ones. He was immediately interested and I got him to snatch it right up. I was thrilled that it fit in his mouth no problem. But then for no apparent reason at all he spit it out and wouldn't take it again. So I tried a smaller one a couple hours later and again he was very interested and snatched it right up... but spit it out right after. Is there something I should know about dubia roaches? Do they taste bad?? LOL. I really want him to eat these things! Help!

[ramp]

Propably because he is not used to it. I feed my Pac's roaches once every 2 weeks an all accept one takes them. The one that won't eat them, only likes crickets so I m not amased he won't eat them.
I feed Dubia's, redrunner and small madagascan sissing roaches without a problem. Sometimes they spit tem out 1 or 2 times but then eat them.
Good luck.

I also feed african grashoppers (small and medium), so called Phoenix larve (high in calcium) and Tebo-larve (Chilecomadia moorii) of wich the last they realy like and are high in nutritional valou.
Does anyone have experiance with these or any other food item for the Pac's?

[GrifTheGreat]

First, it IS funny that you were doing shaddy roach trading in a parking lot! LOL

Dubias have spiky legs and some frogs don't like that or take some time to get used to them. As far as I know, they taste good (in the frogs' opinion!). Grif certainly loves them! But Pacs do tend to have individual food preferences. It is better to feed the nymphs rather than the adults; they are smaller and easier to eat. Dubias are a good staple and very easy to breed. I would suggest just keep trying. I'm sure once he actually eats one, he'll love it! :-)

[HerpDerp]

Last night I decided to try again. I've been making sure he's nice and hungry before I feed him a roach. I chose the smallest one and he immediately grabbed it and spit it out. He did that three times before he finally swallowed. Hopefully it gets easier from here! I'm trying again tonight! Also, I've had him over a month now and he's about an inch and a half long. How much and how often should I be feeding him anyways? I don't want to over or under do it!

[ramp]

5-7 times a week if possible. Small portions at a time. Don't forget to dust with vitamins and/or calcium at least 1 or 2 times a week. Feeding depends on temp. The higher the temp., the more eager he will be to feed as he digests faster. Don't overheat your Pac.

[HerpDerp]

5-7 times a week if possible. Small portions at a time. Don't forget to dust with vitamins and/or calcium at least 1 or 2 times a week. Feeding depends on temp. The higher the temp., the more eager he will be to feed as he digests faster. Don't overheat your Pac.

I've actually been having some trouble with temp. I have a UTH on the side of the tank and on the same side I use a low watt incandescent bulb and that still doesn't quite get the temp up to 80 and I have to constantly mist because the light dries it out. Would buying a mini UTH and ditching the light make a difference? I've been contemplating it for a while.

[ramp]

Try insulating your tank with some cork or Styrofoam or something like that and cover the of your vivarium for 1/3. This will keep temp en moister higher in your tank. Temp should not exeed 865° for alonger time. Also put the insulation material UNDER your tank.

[HerpDerp]

I have a hermit crab climbing background. It's basically tightly woven coconut fiber. That seemed to help a bit, but styrofoam under the tank is a great idea. I can imagine a lot of heat is lost that way. I'll have to try it out.

[ramp]

Insulate 3 sides of your tank too, this will also make your frog feel more secure and less stressed

[HerpDerp]

The climbing background is on two sides of the tank (the back and one side) and the UTH covers most of the third side. What isn't covered with background is covered with plants. I'll have to post a picture of my tank when I get home. Hopefully insulating the bottom too does the trick. Also, the top of the tank is just a fish tank hood and I have a piece of fabric covering the holes on it where the filter would normally go. Should I find something better to cover that part with? I'm thinking I should start a new thread that isn't labeled "dubia roaches" LOL

[ramp]

The climbing background is on two sides of the tank (the back and one side) and the UTH covers most of the third side. What isn't covered with background is covered with plants. I'll have to post a picture of my tank when I get home. Hopefully insulating the bottom too does the trick. Also, the top of the tank is just a fish tank hood and I have a piece of fabric covering the holes on it where the filter would normally go. Should I find something better to cover that part with? I'm thinking I should start a new thread that isn't labeled "dubia roaches" LOL

Maybe a new tread yes. When you keep your frog in a fish tank, make sure there is inough ventilation. I know ZooMed promotes their fish tanks as vivarium but I still think there is not enough ventilation for any land creature. perhapsyou should cover with some gage of some kind. Cloth can block the air flowing trough when it becomes saturated with the evaporating moisture from your thank. Stagnant air in a closed, wet and heated envirement can cause molds to grow and cauld harm your frog or any other animal living in it, even crickets that are not eaten instandly. so watch out for it