Blatta lateralis (Turkistan Roach)

[Garnek]

I am getting tired of running out to get crickets and finding the stores out of them. I want to stay away from a colony of crickets because of the smell and my wife hates the noise they make.

Are Blatta lateralis (Turkistan Roach) a good staple feeder for Leopard geckos (Eublepharus macularius) and Standing's Day Geckos (Phelsuma standingi)?

Everything that I have read about Blatta lateralis (Turkistan Roach) state that they are realitivly easy to create and maintain a colony.

Blatta lateralis (Turkistan Roach)/

Size: upto 1″
Fly: No
Climb: Some Do

General Information: These roaches are sexually dimorphic like Blaptic Dubia. (Males have wings) Very fast roaches, Also a fast breeder. Nymphs can climb, so a roach barrier is recommended. Another name for these are Rusty Reds. The adults do not climb smooth surfaces.

Housing: Large tub (60qt+) with egg crates stacked to add more surface area.

Substrate: None. Can lead to mold and kill your colony.

Feeding & Watering: You can feed just about anything. I mixed together, dog food, cat food, hamster food in a blender. Also roaches love fruits, and vegetable. I feed carrots daily. Roaches can get moisture from fruits and veges but i still offer water crystals. But remove fruit and veges after a day, MOLD KILLS.

Temperature: They can live and breed at room temperature, 72degrees, but grow and breed faster when kept at a higher temperature.

Breeding: Keep warm and fed, they will do the work.

Lateralis Roach (Blatta Lateralis)
Serving Size 1 Roach
Amount per serving
Moisture 64%
Ash 2%
Protein 37%
Fat 5.5%

Any one with experiance with these have suggestions or feedback?

[Athen]

ok i am in the same boat as you are with the roaches i know they are a good replacement staple diet for beardies and CWD's so i cant see why they wouldnt be for gecko's they do not have as hard of an exoskeleton so less risk of impaction. they are almost exactly the same sizes as crickets. and they are much mor nutritious of a meal than crickets are. from the research i have done i have discovered that they do not fly and do not climb. but are very fast which is how they make up for not being able to climb or fly. and it is commonly accepted that they are very easy to reaise colonies of simply a little warmth and hiding spots and they are gonna breed like well.. umh roaches..

[Garnek]

Thanks for the reply Athen. Looks like we are on the right track for cricket replacement. Has anyone successfully raised a colony of these?

[Athen]

in this site im not too sure if there are any currently active members who have actually successfully raised a colony i have spoken with people in other forums that have and it is generally said that they are very very easy to raise

[smitty92]

Umm i have a suggestion. have you asked the people in the bug section of this site already? Beacuse you could place this thread in there. I have read some of it and it sounds like there are some knowledgable people posting there. Might help! I dont know for sure though.

[Pavel]

I do wonder if they are that speedy if they might prove too quick for a gec to catch ....?