Dubia Roach Information and Care
Appearance and Size of Dubia Roaches
Adult Dubia roaches usually reach about 1.2 to 2 inches. They are also called Tropical Spotted Roaches, Orange-Spotted Roaches, or Blaptica dubia. Adult males usually have full wings, while adult females are heavier-bodied with shorter wing pads.
Dubia Roach Size Options
Dubia roach sizing is approximate, but the options below help customers choose the right feeder size.
Extra Small: 1/4 inch
Small: 1/2 inch
Medium: 3/4 inch
Large: 1 inch
Adults: 1 1/4 to 2 inches
What Size Dubia Roaches Should I Feed My Reptile?
Most keepers choose Dubia roaches no larger than the space between the animal’s eyes. This is a helpful general rule for many reptiles and amphibians, but always follow species-specific feeding guidance for your animal.
If you are unsure, start smaller. Smaller Dubia roaches are easier for many reptiles to catch, chew, and digest.
Why Calcium Matters for Reptiles
Dubia roaches are useful feeder insects, but many reptiles still need proper calcium supplementation, UVB exposure, and species-appropriate husbandry. Poor calcium balance, low vitamin D3, or inadequate UVB can contribute to metabolic bone disease in reptiles.
Many keepers dust feeder insects with reptile-safe calcium powder before feeding. Follow care guidance for your specific reptile, especially for growing juveniles, breeding females, and species with high calcium needs.
Sold by Weight, Not Exact Count
TC INSECTS lists Dubia roach counts to make ordering easier, but live insects are packed by generous weight. Because individual roaches vary in size and weight, the exact count may be slightly higher or lower than the listed number.
For example, an order listed as 100 Dubia roaches may arrive with a slightly different count, but the goal is to provide the correct feeder weight and a generous amount of live insects.
Dubia Roach Husbandry and Diet
Dubia roaches are easier to maintain than many feeder insects when kept in a clean, dry, well-ventilated container. Most keepers use egg flats or vertical cardboard hides, a quality dry roach food, and a safe hydration source such as water crystals.
Avoid standing water in the enclosure because spills can create mold, odor, and unsanitary conditions. Fresh foods can be offered in moderation, but remove leftovers before they spoil.
Dubia Roach Colony Habitat
To breed Dubia roaches, use a warm, dark, ventilated container with plenty of vertical egg flats or hides. A plastic storage bin, screen-lid tank, or prepared insect habitat can work when airflow, temperature, food, hydration, and cleanliness are maintained.
Dubia Roach Diet
A quality base diet for Dubia roaches should include a professional feeder roach diet such as Supreme Feed Dubia. Good food helps support active feeder roaches and improves the value of the insects before they are offered to reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, birds, fish, or other insect-eating pets.
Dubia roaches can also be offered safe supplemental foods such as potato, sweet potato, dried peas, oranges, bananas, apples, dried mushrooms, oats, grains, and leaf litter. Use water crystals for hydration and avoid wet, spoiled, or moldy food.
Breeding Dubia Roaches
Dubia roaches are generally considered ovoviviparous, meaning the eggs develop inside the female and she gives birth to live nymphs instead of laying loose eggs like many other insects. Under good conditions, adult females can produce groups of nymphs after a gestation period, and production depends on temperature, food, hydration, colony density, and stress levels.
For a productive colony, many keepers maintain a ratio with more females than males, keep the colony warm, provide plenty of hides, and avoid disturbing the bin too often.
The females will lay eggs (ooth) that hatch in 7 to 14 days. The nymphs can be kept with the adults.
