Choosing the right size Dubia roach for your bearded dragon is important. A feeder that's too large can be difficult for your dragon to handle, while feeders that are too small may not be the most practical choice for a larger animal.
The good news is that choosing a Dubia size doesn't have to be complicated.
The Simple Rule for Choosing Dubia Size
A commonly used guideline is to offer your bearded dragon feeder insects that are no larger than the space between its eyes.
Rather than relying only on your dragon's age, look at the actual size of the animal you're feeding.
Bearded dragons of the same age can vary considerably in size, so a feeder that's appropriate for one juvenile may be too large or too small for another.
When in doubt, choose the smaller Dubia size.
Dubia Roach Size Chart for Bearded Dragons
Here's a simple starting point:
| Dubia Size | Approximate Length | General Starting Point |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 1/4" | Babies and very small juveniles |
| Small | 3/8"–1/2" | Babies and juveniles |
| Medium | 1/2"–5/8" | Juveniles and growing dragons |
| Large | 5/8"–3/4" | Larger juveniles and adults |
| XL | 3/4"–1" | Adults that comfortably handle larger feeders |
| Jumbo | 1"+ | Large adults capable of safely handling large feeders |
These are general guidelines rather than strict age requirements. Your individual bearded dragon's size should determine the appropriate feeder size.
XS Dubia Roaches — Approximately 1/4"
Our smallest Dubia size is a good starting point for very small bearded dragons.
The small nymphs are easier for little dragons to handle and allow you to offer multiple appropriately sized feeders rather than one oversized insect.
Because young Dubias grow and molt, keep in mind that 1/4" feeders won't stay 1/4" forever.
Small Dubia Roaches — Approximately 3/8"–1/2"
Small Dubias are useful as a bearded dragon begins growing out of the tiniest feeder sizes.
The 3/8"–1/2" range provides a step between tiny nymphs and the larger feeders appropriate for more developed juveniles.
If your dragon is right on the boundary between XS and Small, choosing the smaller option is the safer starting point.
Medium Dubia Roaches — Approximately 1/2"–5/8"
Medium Dubias are a versatile feeder size for many growing bearded dragons.
As your dragon grows, moving up in feeder size means you don't need as many individual insects to provide an appropriately sized meal.
Always compare the feeder with your actual dragon, rather than moving up simply because it has reached a certain age.
Large Dubia Roaches — Approximately 5/8"–3/4"
Large Dubias can be appropriate for larger juvenile and adult bearded dragons that comfortably handle insects in this size range.
They're substantially larger than our young nymph sizes, so make sure your dragon is ready for them before moving up.
XL Dubia Roaches — Approximately 3/4"–1"
XL Dubias provide a substantial live feeder for adult bearded dragons capable of comfortably eating larger insects.
If you're uncertain whether your dragon is ready for an XL feeder, choose Large instead.
There's no advantage to moving to a larger feeder before your animal can comfortably handle it.
Jumbo Dubia Roaches — Approximately 1"+
Jumbo Dubias are our largest general feeder size.
They're intended for large animals capable of safely handling substantial prey and aren't necessary for every adult bearded dragon.
For many dragons, Large or XL Dubias may remain the more practical feeder size.
Don't Choose Feeder Size Based on Age Alone
You may see recommendations online such as:
“Feed this size at 3 months.”
or:
“Switch to large Dubias at 12 months.”
Those recommendations can be useful as rough references, but age alone isn't a reliable way to choose feeder size.
Growth rates vary.
Instead, look at your dragon and select an insect that is appropriately sized for the animal in front of you.
What If I'm Between Two Sizes?
Choose the smaller one.
A bearded dragon can eat multiple appropriately sized smaller Dubias.
You can then move up to the next size as your dragon grows.
This is also useful because Dubia roaches continue growing while you keep them. Some of the smaller feeders you purchase today may naturally grow into the next size range before they're fed.
How Do I Keep Dubias Until Feeding Time?
Dubia roaches are relatively easy to keep.
A smooth-sided, well-ventilated container with egg flats for hiding works well. Keep the enclosure dry and provide appropriate food and hydration.
Normal household temperatures can work well for short-term feeder storage, although warmer temperatures increase activity and growth.
For complete instructions, read our Dubia Roach Care Guide.
Should I Gut Load Dubia Roaches?
Providing nutritious food to your Dubias before feeding them is a simple way to control what goes into your feeders before your bearded dragon eats them.
Offer a quality feeder diet along with appropriate fresh vegetables during the period before feeding.
Always follow appropriate dietary and supplementation recommendations for your individual bearded dragon.
Choosing Your Dubias
At Dubia HQ, we sort our feeder Dubias into six practical size ranges:
XS 1/4" → Small 3/8"–1/2" → Medium 1/2"–5/8" → Large 5/8"–3/4" → XL 3/4"–1" → Jumbo 1"+
This makes it easy to move up through feeder sizes as your bearded dragon grows.
For a comparison of all six sizes, visit our Dubia Roach Size Guide.
Ready to Find the Right Size?
Start by looking at the space between your bearded dragon's eyes and choose an appropriately sized feeder.
If you're uncertain between two sizes, start smaller.
You can browse all currently available sizes in Shop Dubia Roaches, or contact Dubia HQ if you need help deciding which size to choose.