- Joined
- Dec 1, 2003
- Messages
- 345
Hey guys! I've been having problems with my discoids. As of the last 2 weeks, I've been noticing adults and one nymph with wing deformities. Mostly like they had a bad moult and come out looking crunched up. Needless to say these deformed roaches don't last very long. I've been noticing the occasional one or two each time I check. Total I think there have been about 4-6 deformed ones which I've found in a colony of about 100 or so adults. I thought it was the amount of protein as I was giving them a diet with more cereal and less dog food but have since switched back to ground dog food (protein min 21%).
I've read that some promote good dog food and even cat food for higher protein. I know CM thinks that too much protein isn't good but I think some species require more. I'm just not sure if discoids are one of them. Is that advisable to add more protein in their diets? My hissers and lobster roaches seem fine. Could it be that the discoids require a lil more protein in their diets. I'm also suspecting that they have been cannibalising on the nymphs as I find newborns and find 5th instars onwards but nothing in between. The more I say it, it sounds like a protein deficiency but I just wanna be sure before I change their diet. Just in case I kill off my colony. Thanks guys!
Vanan
P.S. BTW, they're being kept warm and pretty dry (on peat moss) with a water dish of them crystal gel thingies. Temps are around 90-94F.
I've read that some promote good dog food and even cat food for higher protein. I know CM thinks that too much protein isn't good but I think some species require more. I'm just not sure if discoids are one of them. Is that advisable to add more protein in their diets? My hissers and lobster roaches seem fine. Could it be that the discoids require a lil more protein in their diets. I'm also suspecting that they have been cannibalising on the nymphs as I find newborns and find 5th instars onwards but nothing in between. The more I say it, it sounds like a protein deficiency but I just wanna be sure before I change their diet. Just in case I kill off my colony. Thanks guys!
Vanan
P.S. BTW, they're being kept warm and pretty dry (on peat moss) with a water dish of them crystal gel thingies. Temps are around 90-94F.