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Unboxing Discoid Roaches - VIDEO!

unboxing discoid roaches in the mail

What are Discoid Roaches?

Discoid roaches are a highly nutritious, soft-bodied, low-chitin feeder insect for your beloved bearded dragon, leopard gecko, or other insect-munching friend.  They naturally live in tropical environments, and prefer dark, humid, and hot environments. 

Scientifically known as Blaberus discoidales, these roaches are one of the few roaches that are legal in the state of Florida. Florida residents know all too well that the popular dubia roaches are outlawed in their state.  But they can sleep peacefully, knowing that discoid roaches are an excellent alternative.

Bullet-Point Benefits of Discoid Roaches

  • No Odor - unlike crickets, discoid roaches have no odor
  • Easy maintenance - because they don't stink (unlike crickets), discoid roaches don't require bedding material in their housing tubs
  • Terrible Climbers - Housing them in your mother's Rubbermaid container is the perfect environment.  They cannot climb plastic or glass surfaces, and will remain in the tub.
  • They don't fly - Discoid roaches less than 1" in length don't have wings.  And the only time they will get wings is when they become adults.  
  • Faster than dubia roaches - Discoids are often compared to dubia roaches.  But they are faster, and can trigger your pets natural attack mode.

Yes!  Aside from their excellent nutritional value, discoid roaches are excellent feeders because they are legal in the state of Florida.  Florida are denied the honor of feeding dubia roaches to their beautiful reptiles.  But they can offer the same nutritional value with discoid roaches, without the fear of introducing an invasive species in the ecosystem.

What is the Nutritional Value of Discoid Roaches?

  Moisture (%) Protein (%) Fat (%) Fiber (%) Calcium (mg/kg) Phosphorus (%)
Discoid Roaches 61 35 7 2 ?? ??
Dubia Roaches 61 23 7 2.9 800 2,600
Superworms 58 20 18 3 177 2,370
Crickets 70 20 7 3 407 2,950
Pinhead Crickets 77 15 3 2 275 2,520
Phoenix Worms 61 18 14 3 9,340 3,560

Discoid roaches are a lean feeder, comparable to crickets.  But what makes them a superior feeder is that they offer a higher amount of calcium.  Calcium is important because it helps prevent metabolic bone disease, a terminal disease that affects many reptiles who do not receive a proper amount of calcium and vitamin D.  Although studies have yet to confirm the actual amount, it is generally believed that discoid roaches offer a similar amount of calcium as dubia roaches.  Which is twice the amount you'll get from crickets.  

Additionally, they have less chitin compared to crickets.  Chitin is the hard, fibrous material (usually an insect's exoskeleton), that is difficult for many reptiles to digest.  The more chitin an insect has, the more likely a reptile can suffer from impaction (which is why mealworms aren't recommended for bearded dragons).  

And not only do they offer less chitin, they also offer more meat.  This meat means your reptile pet can be satisfied faster, needing less insects (which is why we can offer small quantities of 25 and 50).  

How do Discoid Roaches differ from Dubia Roaches?

Discoid roaches and dubia roaches are more similar than different.  Which means that you really can't go wrong with either roach.  However, discoid roaches have a few key advantages that you may want to consider if you're trying to decide between both discoid and dubia roaches.

Discoids Have Higher Moisture Content

Discoid roaches have a slightly higher moisture content than dubias.  Moisture content may not sound like a big deal.  But if your pet suffers, or is likely to suffer, from impaction, then you'll want a feeder with higher moisture content.  Because these are easier insects for them to pass.

Discoids Have Higher Protein Content

Everyone knows how important protein is for growing pets.  And yes, both dubias and discoids have an excellent amount of lean protein.  But discoids do have more protein than dubias.  So if your young bearded dragon or leopard gecko is growing quickly, you'll want to offer them as much protein as they can get.

Discoids have a better Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio

Every reptile owner knows that calcium is critical for every reptile.  And if you don't know this, then you better learn why calcium is critical for reptiles.  Both dubias and discoid roaches offer a decent amount of caclium.  But what makes discoid roaches so appealing is that they have less amount of phosphorus.  Phosphorus pretty much neutralizes the positive affects that reptiles need from calcium.  So even if your feeder insect has a surplus of calcium, it won't do any good if there's an equal amount of phosphorus in its body.   

How to Breed Discoid Roaches?

Discoid roaches are prolific breeders.  And if offered the right conditions, can provide you a reliable supply of feeder insects for your bearded dragon, leopard gecko, and other insectivorous pet.  Listed below are basic steps, but here's an indepth article on how to breed discoid roaches.  

Breeding Bins

Discoid roaches will need a tall plastic container, with plenty of ground space.  Something like this would be ideal.  Then place 3-5 adult female discoid roaches, with 1 adult male.  It's good practice to provide plenty of hiding space for them, like egg crates, and cardboard tubes.  

Food and Substrate

Roaches, like crickets, will eat almost anything.  They will readily eat vegetables and fruit.  But just be mindful that the food doesn't sit around for more than a day.  Otherwise, your discoid breeding bin can attract flies, or grow mold.  And mold can wipe out your discoid roach colony.

Keep in mind that you'll want to provide plenty of protein for your female discoid roach.  And although vegies and fruits are great, they're not very protein-rich.  Cat food or dog food is a great way to offer protein, and it's not nearly as expensive as a strip steak. 

One advantage that discoid roaches have over crickets is that they don't stink.  Because crickets smell, we recommend vermiculite for their substrate.  But you don't need any substrate for discoid roaches.  And as a discoid roach breeder, this will make them easier for you to clean.

Breeding Temperatures and Humidity

Like most insects, discoid roaches like hot temperatures.  And it's been observed that the best breeding temperatures for discoid roaches are 90 degrees Fahrenheit.  They will breed in temps as low as the mid 70's.  However, they no longer become prolific breeders at those temps.  So keep their bin hot, and they will maintain their title as prolific breeders.  

The challenge with temperatures this high is that it will force water to evaporate at a greater rate.  So you'll need to mist the discoid bin daily.  Some breeders like to keep a moist paper towel or sponge in the container.  This is fine, but just be mindful that hot, damp objects can promote mold growth.  So water crystals may be a nice alternative. 

Here Comes the Off Spring!

Once the habitat conditions are met, the males will begin breeding with the female.  Unlike crickets, discoid roaches are ovoviviparuos, meaning they store the eggs in their abdomen.  She will hold anywhere between 20-40 nymph discoid roaches.  And in about 1 month, she will give "birth" to these nymph roaches.

The brand new discoid nymphs will hatch out as frail, tiny, white versions of the adults.  After a few days, they will change color into a normal discoid roach.  At this stage, they are great feeders, and average about 1/8" - 1/4" in size.  After a few months, they will double in size.  And then a few months from there, they will grow another 1/4".

What size Discoid Roaches should I order?

discoid roach sizes

The rule of thumb of thumb is that your feeders should be equal to the distance between your pets eyes.  So before you choose your discoid roach, get a measurement of how much space your pet has between her eyes.  This may sound silly, but is important.  Oversized feeders and discoid roaches can cause problems during ingestion, that could lead to death.  So please select the proper size discoid roach.

How do you ship Discoid Roaches?

We ship discoid roaches from our Florida facility.  We package quantities of 25 or 50 in deli cups.  And we ship them with the post office using Priority Mail.

How to Store Discoid Roaches?

Storying them is easy.  Just keep them in the container they are shipped in.  They prefer hot temperatures, and will love you if you keep them at 90-95 degrees F.  However, they are usually breeding temperatures.  For storing them as feeders, you can keep them at about 75 degrees F.  

They are packaged with a fresh piece of vegetable.  That vegetable acts as both a food source, and hydration.  All you need to do is keep an eye on the vegetables.  And when the vegetables disappear, you'll need to replace it with more vegetables.  

Should I Gut-Load these Discoid Roaches?

Yes.  Discoid roaches are scavengers by nature, and will eat almost anything.  But, since you're using that as feeders, you want them to be offered a wonderful diet of healthy vegetation.  Which is why it's important to gut-load your discoid roaches for a minimum of 24 hours with fresh vegetables and grains.  This way, when your bearded dragon eats these tasty discoid roaches, they'll benefit from the additional nutrition.

Should I Dust my Discoid Roaches?

Yes.  It's good practice to dust all your feeder insects with vitamin D3.  Even though discoid roaches provide a decent amount of calcium, you'll still want to dust them.  The process is simple.  Put some dubia roaches in a plastic, zip-lock bag.  Add a table spoon of vitamin D3/calcium dust into the bag.  Then blow up the bag like a balloon.  Then gently shake the bag, so the dust coats the discoid roaches.  Then introduce the roaches to your beloved pet, so they can enjoy a nutritious meal.