Dubia question

[Lankyrob]

Think i know the answer but want to just confirm it here.

I today bought a larger tub for my roaches as i want to increase the numbers and give them more space at the same time - is there ANY issues with introducing a second colony to the first one? Is there ANY reason that they should be kept separately? Should i quarantine the new ones?

Thanks!! :)

[jarich]

Ha! Im very interested in the answer too as Im doing the same thing. I just got my first colony yesterday (200 mixed) and am getting a second colony from a different source on Saturday (1000 mixed). I was literally just trying to do a search to see if it was a problem!

[Lankyrob]

We originally bought 50 which has grown to around 100 (hard to count them really!!) and we are thinking of doubling the number to mean that we never need to supplement the lizards diet with crickets again - currently every 4th or 5th feed we buy crickets to allow the colony of roaches to recover numbers.

[infernalis]

I have added to mine twice with no issues.

[KORBIN5895]

I was going to try dubia commercially but the pet stores weren't too keen on trying something new. But fro. What I research it wouldn't be a problem. From my understanding they don't get many ( if any parasites) so I don't think quarantine is necessary but I do not have first hand experience.

[Nektu]

We added a second colony to our first without a problem. We also put them into a smaller tub. It has helped and I can already tell they have been breeding rather well.

[stephanbakir]

The only problem is mold, make sure that the roaches are all clean, I recently got a colony of roaches from an idiot and I noticed that some had fluffy stuff growing on them I quarantined those, and separated them from the rest of the new colony, a fwe weeks later the ones I separated are fine, the "fuzzy" ones are all dead and they were safe to put in with my colony.

[infernalis]

I'm going to build a shelf in Chompers new room and set up my Dubia in there.

With the continual hot temps, they should breed like crazy.

[stephanbakir]

Watch out you don't roast em :P

[infernalis]

Found this while feeding my Dubia tonight.

http://www.reptard.info/rich/dubia1.jpg

http://www.reptard.info/rich/dubia2.jpg

http://www.reptard.info/rich/dubia3.jpg

[Gungirl]

OOOH... I really like that one...lol

[KORBIN5895]

Did it just molt or is it like an albino?

[stephanbakir]

Did it just molt or is it like an albino?
Fresh molt. They look awesome. If you find an adult male that just molted, its wings will be rolled up

Great photos Wayne.

[millertime89]

wow that's really cool.

[Gungirl]

Fresh molt. They look awesome. If you find an adult male that just molted, its wings will be rolled up

Great photos Wayne.

Ohhh. Thanks for that Stephan I thought It was albino or something.

[infernalis]

First time I have ever seen their eyes..

[Lankyrob]

Thanks for adding to this thread Wayne, reminda me that i still havent got round to moving my colony into their new home!! Must get it done soon!

[infernalis]

I took those pics last night Rob, and I was trying to figure the best place to post them, so I'm glad I chose the right thread.

[Lankyrob]

Thanks to Wayne giving me a gentle shove in the right direction i finally relocated my roaches to their new home - just need to purchase some more to bolster the colony now!

Old home
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/Lankyrob1975/22112011146.jpg

New home
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/Lankyrob1975/22112011144.jpg
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/Lankyrob1975/22112011145.jpg
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo200/Lankyrob1975/22112011147.jpg

[infernalis]

looking good mate.

[stephanbakir]

Lookin great, just make sure not to give them too much space :)

[Lankyrob]

Am gonna be adding probably another 200 in the next couple of months so that why we went with an upgrade - just wondering why the "not too much space"??? :)

[stephanbakir]

They can have a hard time finding food/water.

I tested it and got 200 males and 200 females split in 2 enclosures. A large one and a smaller one, the colony in the smaller enclosure was huge compared to the one in the larger enclosure after 4 months. I don't know if its because of feeling more comfortable smushed in with others or what (I sexed them all early, and separated them for 1 month prior to the experiment to make sure the girls weren't prego.

[Lankyrob]

Ok, interesting. That could be a point with water crystals as they are in one place, cos i only feed dry food i scatter it all over so food should be fine.