Another roach question

[bugboymark]

I recently purchased 2 dozen red runner roaches. I have several adults now (two female H. venosas that have been mated) and on S. lineola.  Heard good things about working roaches in as a good high-protein feeder for adults so I made the purchase (Turkish red runners).  Here's the question, they are all nymphs, which is fine...but they're all pretty small.  Biggest is about a centimeter.  I've had them for over two weeks, and they just don't seem to be growing much.  They look healthy. Not finding any dead ones.  But no sheds either. I check them out every day. I know they're mainly active at night, but it doesn't look like they eat much of anything. Currently have them in a ventilated container with substrate, toilet paper rolls, with plenty of cricket water/gel and flukers cricket food. Also threw in a dog food pellet just for variety.  Humidity is fine, and air temps range from upper 60s at night to mid 70s during the day. Am I missing anything?  Wrong food?  Not warm enough? My crickets grow a LOT faster than these guys.  At this rate, my three adult girls will be old by the time these things get to be a decent size! Thanks for your help!

 

[TheShadyMantid]

What kind of substrate are you using for them?  For food, I would try giving some oranges, bananas and carrots peeled or shredded.  They probably won't have grown a whole lot in only a couple weeks, so just keep watching them.  Are you counting to make sure none are escaping, or being eaten by the others?  If they aren't getting enough food they will sometimes cannibalize.  With my roaches I always avoid cat/dog food as it's just not the best for them.  Fresh organic fruits and veggies are best and will ensure that you have the healthiest roaches, and whatever other creatures you may be feeding them to.

Red runners usually will be breeding within 2 - 3 months, faster than most other species, so just keep watching them and make sure they are getting enough food and you should come out ok.  Hope this helps.

 

[bugboymark]

Thanks Shady!  I've got them on thin layer of eco earth.  I typically don't dampen it too much, because I worry about mold/mildew.  In the meantime they do seem to be eating the cricket gel for water.  Good point on the dog food.  I'll get rid of that and substitute with some fresh fruit.  From my count/estimate...there doesn't seem to be any predation happening or any escapees. They're in a tall plastic container with a pretty solid lid, so it would be pretty tough...as they don't seem to be able to climb the plastic at all. I shudder to think of what my wife would do A. if she knew I had roaches in the basement, and B. if she found out I let some escape.  It wouldn't be pretty. :blink:

 

[TheShadyMantid]

Haha, yeah you don't want that, especially with red runners as they can breed in average room temp pretty much anywhere, lol.  But as you said, they won't be able to escape from what you have.  The eco earth should be just fine, and spraying them 1 - 2 times a week should be plenty if you have the gel too.  Good luck!