Domino cockroach (Therea bernhardti)

Short answers

Domino cockroach: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Approx. 30×20×20 cm or from ~10 l for a group (tightly closing).

Domino cockroach: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C (breeding at a constant ~24 °C), at night room temperature (20–22 °C).

Domino cockroach: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Domino cockroach: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 1–1.5 years.

Domino cockroach: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C (breeding at a constant ~24 °C)

Night temperature

room temperature (20–22 °C)

Basking spot

—

Humidity

50–60 % (slightly damp substrate)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

approx. 30×20×20 cm or from ~10 l for a group (tightly closing)

Substrate

Deciduous forest humus or coco humus with a layer of leaf litter (oak, beech) and rotten wood, about 10 cm deep (the oothecae are buried)

Feeding

Food

Fish flakes, silkworm pupae, bloodworms (protein) plus vegetables (courgette, pumpkin, carrot, melon) and lettuce

Feeding interval

fresh food 1–2×/week, dry food always available

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 1.5–2.2 cm (females stockier)

Life expectancy

approx. 1–1.5 years

Origin

India

Protection status

Not protected. Do not release it.

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Colony or group keeping is usual and straightforward (sociable). Note: do NOT keep different Therea species together (hybridisation).

Notes

An attractive diurnal display cockroach (the domino roach), black with white dots. It lays oothecae. Robust and suitable for beginners. Some animals offered are a Therea "hybrid mix" – for the pure species, watch the origin.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Domino cockroach (Therea bernhardti) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Domino cockroach (Therea petiveriana) – Beginner
• Dubia roach (Blaptica dubia) – Beginner
• Peppered cockroach (Archimandrita tesselata) – Beginner
• Green banana cockroach (Panchlora nivea) – Beginner
• Halloween hissing cockroach (Elliptorhina javanica) – Beginner
• Glowspot cockroach (Lucihormetica subcincta) – Intermediate
• Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) – Beginner
• Orange-headed cockroach (Eublaberus posticus) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Domino cockroach (Therea bernhardti) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (approx. 30×20×20 cm or from ~10 l for a group (tightly closing)), substrate (Deciduous forest humus or coco humus with a layer of leaf litter (oak, beech) and rotten wood, about 10 cm deep (the oothecae are buried)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.