Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thought I would share a picture of one my lobster roach bins. I am pretty satisified with their reproduction rate. I have a couple of large bins full with them and plan to keep going so that my bearded dragons have LOTS of roaches to eat ALL the time.

I am also investing in a couple non climbing species soon! Cant wait!

Just wondering, what size is that bin and approximately how many roaches are in there? I have 28 or so orange heads in a 14 gallon bin so I'm wondering if that's an ok size.

Also, what do you use for heat? I just have mine on top of my beardie's cage and it's probably not hot enough, so I want to use alternative heating.

The bin is 96 quarts or in gallons I believe its 24 gallons. If I had to guess I would say there is maybe 3-5 thousand in the above bin. All different sizes.

I think the 14 gallon for 28 orange heads is fine They dont breed as fast as lobsters so it will take them a little longer to outgrow that bin. Lobsters reproduce very quickly so it isnt possible to put small numbers in the bins without using hundreds of bins!

For heat right now I just have them on top of my reptile cages (the homemade wooden ones that allow for things to be placed on top). When the reptile lights are off I have a space heater in the room that I use to keep the room at 80 degrees.

I dont have orange heads yet but I believe that they do require slightly more heat then lobsters to have good reproduction outcome. You could put a thermometer in the bin and see what temp it is getting in their. It should be around 90 degrees. If it isnt getting warm enough maybe try some sort of heat pad underneath?

Hope I helped! Lindsay

I heat mine with a human heating pad underneath. Check the temperatures because at high setting the bottom of the tub got around 120 degrees. Mid setting got it nicely 95 or so but CHECK with a thermometer. leave one on the floor in your tub to check.

Question about lobsters-- do they fly or flutter thier wings at all?

My orange heads are predictable, you can tell if one is hyper and running around hes gunna jump off of something and flutter--only sideways really not up. They cant fly much but its surprising to see lol. I cant imagine if lobsters flew out.

Yes lobsters can flutter! They dont very often though. I have had mine for approximately 4 1/2 months and I have seen them only flutter maybe 4 or 5 times.

Also, they DO climb smooth surfaces and are extremely fast moving! I have a 3" band of vaseline on all bins and a top on as well. Of course a good portion of the top has been cut out and insect mesh glued on (for ventilation).

I'll try out your suggestions.

I've had these guys for about 2 months and they are all adults now. And luckily, I've never seen them flutter but they do race around when their hyper! lol!

Just found this one the otherday. When you have ten roach bins its nice to have clean egg cartons and they are pretty cheap. Nice set-up Lindsay, I am going to try no shavings and see how it works.
http://www.eggcartons.com./
James

Thats where I order my egg flats Good prices and good service. I use the egg flats for crickets and superworms as well.

I have thought about using no substrate but I dont know. I worry the babies will constantly get trampled and so will the adults. I figure the better shape I keep them the more they reproduce for me But then I dont have nearly as many bins as you *smiles*

I've heard roaches are really high in chitin, and can cause impactation if fed too often..I don't see much of a difference in the amount of chitin in roaches as adult crix lol but that's what they tell me lol! Anyone have experience with roaches and pac-man frogs? What are the best feeder roaches?
Thanks, Amy