Dubia Roaches vs Crickets Which Is Better | Australian Guide
Choosing between dubia roaches and crickets is one of the most common decisions reptile keepers face. Both are widely used feeder insects, but Dubia are only new to being commercially available Australia. Knowing how they differ in nutrition, care, and overall reliability is helpful for choosing which feeder is right for you.
This guide breaks down the key differences so you can decide which feeder is best for your reptile. For a broader overview of feeder insects, see our complete guide to feeder insects in Australia.
Quick takeaway: Dubia roaches are more reliable, nutritious, and easier to maintain, while crickets are more active, require more upkeep, and can be less hardy.
Nutrition Comparison
Dubia roaches are generally considered more nutritionally balanced than crickets. Here's some comparisons from the information we have found.
- Protein: Dubia have higher protein then crickets, with Dubia being roughly 20-25% and crickets sitting at 18%
- Fat: From the available information, Crickets and Dubia roaches have roughly the same fat content. With 6% for crickets and 7% for Dubia
- Calcium: Higher for Dubia at 20mg per 100g, Crickets 14mg
- Calcium to Phosphorus ratio: Dubia is 4x Better then crickets, but supplementation with additional calcium is still required.
These figures/fact above have been gathered from extensive research on the internet, however we have not ran our own independent tests nor can find the original source for the figures. If the information above is correct, Dubia roaches appear to be far superior to crickets. Especially when combined with all the other non-nutritional benefits.
For improving feeder quality, see: How to Gut Load Feeder Insects
Other Benefits to Dubia Roaches
- Crickets Don't Grow As Large
- Crickets Jump
- Crickets are Noisy
- Crickets Smell
- Crickets are more Sensitive .
Ease of Care and Survival
One of the biggest differences is how easy each feeder is to keep alive.
- Dubia roaches: long lifespan, low mortality, very stable
- Crickets: short lifespan, prone to die-offs
Crickets also require more frequent maintenance and are far more sensitive to environmental changes.
Smell and Cleanliness
Smell is a major factor for many reptile keepers.
- Dubia roaches: minimal smell when kept clean
- Crickets: can smell quickly, especially in large numbers
Crickets produce more waste and can become unpleasant if not cleaned regularly.
See for more info: Do Dubia Roaches Smell
Feeding Behaviour
Crickets are more active than dubia roaches, which can stimulate a stronger hunting response in some reptiles.
- Crickets: fast, jumpy, highly stimulating
- Dubia roaches: slower, easier to manage
For many keepers, dubia roaches are easier to control during feeding.
Cost and Availability in Australia
In Australia, Crickets have been historically more widely available, but Dubia are becoming more popular. Long-term costs can differ
- Crickets: cheaper upfront but often higher loss rates due to sensitivity and short life span
- Dubia roaches: higher upfront cost but better in hardiness, cleanliness, life span, and east of feeding.
Because dubia roaches live longer and have less die-off, they often provide better value over time.
For more info, see: Feeder Insect Cost Comparison Australia
If you're looking for Dubia roaches, here at Reptifauna, we ship Dubia Autralia wide.
Which Is Better for Your Reptile
The best choice depends on your setup and preferences. As well as what reptiles you're feeding. Some reptiles, like geckos, tend to prefer crickets.
Here at Reptifauna, we have a wide range of lizards all eating dubia roaches, including many gecko species. However, we still prefer to feed most of our hatchling and some adult geckos crickets. We just find they like them more, likely because they're more active and can't hide quite as easily.
- Choose dubia roaches for reliability and ease of care
- Choose crickets for feeding stimulation and variety
Many keepers use a mix of both to provide a varied diet.
Final Thoughts
Dubia roaches and crickets both have their place in reptile diets, but dubia roaches are generally the more reliable and practical option as a staple feeder insect.
Choosing the right feeder comes down to your reptile’s needs and your ability to maintain the feeder insects effectively.
