Do you choose red runners or dubias as feeder roaches for your gecko or tarantula? Learn the differences in behaviour, prices, and feeding experience—all at https://micedirect.com/
The debate about Red Runners and Dubia roaches as feeder insects is well-known among reptile pet owners. While all agree that roaches are hardy, easy to keep, nutritionally dense, and inexpensive, some talking points tend to confuse new reptile or amphibian owners about which species is best for their pet. Here is a practical, science-informed comparison to help you decide which makes more sense for your animal, setup, and location.
At a glance, Red Runners—also known as Shelfordella or Blatta lateralis—are small, fast, non-climbing, and prolific egg-layers. They make great "chase" feeders and are widely used at a quarter inch for juveniles. Dubia—Blaptica dubia—are meatier, slower, non-climbing live-bearers, and an excellent staple for medium-to-large reptiles.
A quick legality note if you're in Florida: Dubia roaches are prohibited by the state regulator. Possession and shipping are not permitted. Choose legal alternatives if you're in Florida.
What they are and how they behave. Red Runners, often sold as Turkestan or Rusty Red roaches, are small, quick, and non-climbing. Their speed triggers a strong feeding response, which can be great enrichment for geckos and smaller lizards. They're also prolific—females produce oothecae, or egg cases, and populations scale fast in warm, clean bins. Husbandry is straightforward under typical roach-care conditions: ventilated tubs, egg flats, and a generally dry setup, then add moisture via gels or produce. Vendor husbandry guides commonly emphasize simple care and a very high reproductive rate for lateralis, but recommend buying live roaches if raising them is not your plan.
Dubia are larger, slower, non-climbing roaches that don't burrow as aggressively as some worms and don't jump like crickets. Many keepers favor them as a staple for bearded dragons, skinks, and other medium or large-sized insectivores. They're live-bearing—so no ootheca to manage—smell less than crickets, and are easy to colony-raise.
Nutrition, in plain English. Both species are protein-rich and energy-dense when measured on a dry-matter basis. Reptiles need more calcium than phosphorus; aim for a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of around two to one in what they eat.
For Dubia, a controlled veterinary study reported that you can fix the low calcium-to-phosphorus issue with targeted gut-loading. Feeding Dubias a high-calcium diet for twenty-four hours pushed them to a positive ratio. Red Runners are widely stated to test high in vitamin B12. In practice, well gut-loaded Dubia and Red Runners should both provide adequate B-vitamins.
Feeding experience for your reptile. Red Runners are best for smaller mouths and active hunters. Their speed and smaller sizes, like a quarter inch, make them ideal for juvenile geckos, small anoles, and species that key in on movement. Dubia are for animals that like larger, meatier prey. Because they're slower, they're easier for some reptiles to capture, and each feeder delivers more calories and protein per catch. Many keepers rotate both to keep meals varied and interesting.
Legality and where you live—Florida matters. Florida has a uniquely strict arthropod program to protect agriculture and ecosystems. The state lists the Dubia roach as prohibited, which means possession or shipment is not allowed in Florida. If you're in Florida, do not buy, keep, or ship Dubia. Check current guidance before acquiring any feeder roach.
Cost and availability. Both feeders are widely available online in multiple sizes. Availability and price fluctuate by vendor and season; bulk counts are usually the best value. If you're comparing exact SKUs, always confirm size ranges—quarter inch for hatchlings and juveniles versus half inch to one inch for larger reptiles. A thousand-count container can range between fifty and one hundred fifty dollars, depending on quality and shipping.
So, which should you choose? Choose Red Runners if you need smaller, fast-moving, non-climbing feeders that spark hunting behavior, especially for juveniles and small insectivores. They're prolific and easy to manage in quantity. Choose Dubia if you want a slower, meatier, non-climbing staple that many medium-to-large reptiles thrive on—provided you correct the calcium before feeding. They're also easy to breed and less messy than crickets. Plenty of keepers use both: Red Runners for movement-based enrichment and smaller feedings; Dubia for efficient, nutrient-dense staple meals. What's important is to choose a vendor who supplies humanely raised, high-quality feeder roaches for reptiles.
Thanks for tuning in to this episode. For more guidance, visit the website link in the podcast notes. MiceDirect City: Cleveland Address: 651 Tom Bell Road USA Website: https://micedirect.com/ Phone: +1 706 892 4136 Email: sales@micedirect.com