All About Pisces True Bugs – Live Dubia Roaches

1. What They Are

Pisces True Bugs – Live Dubia Roaches are feeder insects produced by Pisces, a well-known insect-farm brand. These roaches are Blaptica dubia, a species commonly used as nutritious live food for reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, and exotic pets.

They are soft-bodied, slow-moving, easy to digest, and excellent for gut-loading before feeding.

2. Nutritional Profile (Approx.)

• Protein: 20–23%

• Fat: 7–9%

• Moisture: 60–65%

• Fiber: Low

• Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio: Better than most feeder insects, but still benefits from dusting.

Why good: High protein, moderate fat, good hydration content, easier to digest compared to mealworms or superworms.

3. Benefits of Dubia Roaches

• Highly nutritious and suitable for most insectivores.

• Soft exoskeleton, easy to digest.

• Don’t climb smooth surfaces, reducing escape risk.

• Low odor compared to crickets.

• Long lifespan, making them convenient to store.

• Grow slowly, so size can be managed easily.

• Quiet and non-aggressive.

4. Pisces Brand Advantages

• Clean, well-fed, and parasite-free roaches.

• Consistent size grading (small, medium, large).

• Ready for immediate feeding or gut-loading.

• Reliable survival rate in packaging.

5. Storage & Care at Home

• Use a plastic tub with air holes; smooth walls prevent climbing.

• Add egg trays or cardboard for hiding and space.

• Temperature: 26–30°C for best health.

• Humidity: Around 50–60%, not too damp.

• Substrate: Not necessary; keep enclosure dry.

• Food: Dry roach chow, oats, fruits, leafy greens.

• Water: Water gel crystals or moisture-rich veggies.

• Remove old wet food to prevent mold.

Properly cared for, they can live 6–12+ months.

6. Feeding to Pets

• Choose a roach no wider than the space between the pet's eyes.

• Gut-load the roaches 24–48 hours before feeding with veggies and fruits.

• Dust with calcium or multivitamin (especially for reptiles).

• Offer using tongs or in a dish to prevent escape.

Frequency

• Reptiles (young): Daily or every alternate day.

• Reptiles (adult): 2–3 times weekly.

• Fish: Occasional treat only.

• Birds & mammals: Treat or enrichment.

• Arachnids: Weekly or biweekly.

7. Breeding Dubia Roaches (Optional Info)

• Keep colony at 28–30°C for best breeding.

• Higher female-to-male ratio (3:1).

• Females give birth to live nymphs.

• Babies grow through several molts before adulthood.

• Full cycle: 2–3 months depending on heat.

8. Common Issues

• Mold: From leftover wet food; clean regularly.

• Overcrowding: Slows growth and reproduction.

• Low temperature: Drastically reduces activity and breeding.

• Poor diet: Reduces nutritional value for your pets.