All About Pisces True Bugs – Live Red Runner Roaches 

1. What Red Runner Roaches Are

Red Runner Roaches are Turkestan roaches (Blatta lateralis), commonly called Red Runners due to their reddish coloration and very fast movement.
They are a popular live feeder insect for reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, and invertebrates.

Pisces True Bugs provides clean, healthy, size-graded Red Runners ready for gut-loading or direct feeding.

2. Nutritional Profile (Approx.)

• Protein: 18–20%

• Fat: 6–9%

• Moisture: 65–70%

• Fiber: Low

• Calcium-to-Phosphorus ratio: Low calcium, so dusting is recommended.

Why they are good feeders:
High protein, low fat, soft-bodied, easy to digest, and highly active which triggers natural hunting instincts.

3. Benefits of Red Runner Roaches

• Extremely active, great for stimulating picky or visually driven predators.

• Soft exoskeleton, easier to digest than many other roaches.

• Cannot climb smooth surfaces, making them relatively easy to contain.

• Reproduce very quickly, suitable for starting colonies.

• Low smell and low noise, more pleasant than crickets.

• Suitable for small and medium-sized pets due to available nymph sizes.

4. Advantages of Pisces Brand

• Clean, disease-free insects.

• Good survival rate during transport.

• Proper hygiene and gut-loading practices.

• Packed in breathable boxes for easy use.

5. Care & Housing

• Container: Smooth plastic box with ventilation holes.

• Hiding spots: Add egg crates or cardboard sheets.

• Temperature: 28–32°C for best health and breeding.

• Humidity: Moderate (40–60%), keep enclosure dry.

• Food: Grains, bran, oats, leafy greens, vegetables.

• Water: Water gel crystals or moisture from veggies (avoid bowls).

• Cleaning: Remove wet food daily to prevent mold.

They breed quickly and can form a self-sustaining colony if kept warm.

6. Feeding Red Runners to Pets

• Gut-load for 24–48 hours with nutritious food.

• Dust with calcium or multivitamin before feeding.

• Use the right size:

  • Nymphs for small reptiles, geckos, amphibians, spiders.

  • Adults for larger lizards and invertebrates.

• Feeding method: Tongs or deep feeding dish to reduce escape risk.

7. Best Suited For

• Geckos (leopard geckos, fat-tails)

• Small to medium lizards

• Amphibians (frogs, salamanders)

• Tarantulas and carnivorous invertebrates

• Birds that enjoy live insects

• Occasional treat for larger fish

8. Common Considerations

• They are very fast, so handle carefully.

• Overcrowding can stress the colony.

• Excess moisture causes mold or die-offs.

• Calcium supplementation still needed due to low Ca:P ratio.

• Always keep the enclosure escape-proof.