Banana roach breeding

[CoolCham]

Hello, I was thinking about starting a colony of roaches. I want to try green banana roaches, but I'm not sure how fast they reproduce. If I were to start with around 30, how long would it take to be able to feed them regularly? I would only be feeding 2 adult panthers. Would the colony stay big enough to fed regularly?
Also, if green banana roaches wouldn't work, what's the next best besides dubia? Seems like dubia get too big, and don't move enough for my chams to be interested. I'd like a smallish species that moves more than dubias, that I could use in a feeding cup. Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Kath44]

I'm sure further down there's a post about these. Think it was little leaf who posted it. She may be able to help with info. Kath.

 

[nick barta]

If you start of with 20 adults and 40 mixed nymphs, you will start seeing new adults in the first month. The colony will produce new enough green adults at about the 2-3 month mark to feed GBR's as one of the main food sources.

The size, movement, and color will engage your panthers!

email me at [email protected], and I will send you a care sheet.

Check out the video by Little Leaf, search Banana Roaches.

Nick

 

[CoolCham]

ok thanks, one more question (not worth starting a new thread for):
because dubia get so big, what do you do with all the adults? I dont have anything that will take a 2 inch long dubia.

 

[FlChamMom]

If you start of with 20 adults and 40 mixed nymphs, you will start seeing new adults in the first month. The colony will produce new enough green adults at about the 2-3 month mark to feed GBR's as one of the main food sources.

The size, movement, and color will engage your panthers!

email me at [email protected], and I will send you a care sheet.

Check out the video by Little Leaf, search Banana Roaches.

Nick

My Banana Roach colony was a huge failure which was a shame because my panther absolutely loved them! I think my issue was not starting off the colony with enough roaches. Of the 20 adults, what should the male/female ratio be?

 

[nick barta]

My Banana Roach colony was a huge failure which was a shame because my panther absolutely loved them! I think my issue was not starting off the colony with enough roaches. Of the 20 adults, what should the male/female ratio be?

I don't have a definitive answer, I would guess 1 male to 4 females. Several members have started colonies without problems, I would:
1) Verify your coco substrate is about 88 degrees under the bark
2) Keep at least 60 green adults, I keep 100+ and start other members' colonies with 20 adults and 40 nymphs. I keep my greenies at 100+.
3) Feed off more small greenies which are males than the larger females.
4) When you pick up the bark, you should always have LOTS of nymphs scurrying around with the greenies.

If you would like my care sheet, email me at [email protected].