Domino cockroach (Therea petiveriana)

Short answers

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

Approx. 30×20×20 cm for a group (tightly closing).

Domino cockroach: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °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

Night temperature

room temperature (20–22 °C)

Basking spot

—

Humidity

40–70 % (slightly damp substrate, good ventilation)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

approx. 30×20×20 cm for a group (tightly closing)

Substrate

Slightly damp terrarium or coco humus with a layer of leaf litter (oak), at least 10 cm deep; cork slabs and tubes as hides

Feeding

Food

Dry food or fish flakes (protein) plus vegetables and fruit (carrot, pumpkin, lettuce)

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 2.5–3 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 1–1.5 years

Origin

Southern India (the leaf litter of forest and dry forest floors)

Protection status

Not protected. Do not release it.

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Colony or group keeping is usual (sociable). Do NOT keep different Therea species together (fertile hybrids are possible).

Notes

UNCERTAINTY over the name: the German trade name "Congo tiger cockroach" is misleading – the species comes from southern India (in English the "Indian domino cockroach", also the seven-spot or desert cockroach). An attractive black-and-white spotted diurnal display cockroach; it lays oothecae in the substrate.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Domino cockroach (Therea bernhardti) – 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 petiveriana) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (approx. 30×20×20 cm for a group (tightly closing)), substrate (Slightly damp terrarium or coco humus with a layer of leaf litter (oak), at least 10 cm deep; cork slabs and tubes as hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.