Armadillidium Klugii "Orange Montenegro" is a gorgeous color morph isolated from selective breeding efforts of the standard Montenegro line. Instead of a dark base color with red skirting, these festive clown isopods are vibrant orange with the same spotting as a traditional Montenegro isopod. The shade of orange can vary between individuals somewhat with older specimens gradually changing to a deeper orange hue. This strain is highly desirable and sought out by many collectors and hobbyist.
Average room temperature will suit them just fine but their optimal range is at slightly elevated temperatures of 74-79F. This species prefers a sharp moisture gradient with 1/3 up to 1/2 of the enclosure being lightly damp and the rest dry to bone dry. They will not fair well if all of the enclosure is damp or wet. They enjoy all of the classic isopod food fares like squash, carrots and other veggies along with any commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy. They also benefit from protein in the form of freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, fish flakes and other protein based food sources. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests.
While this unique terrestrial crustacean is not overly difficult to keep, a culture can crash rather quickly if their specific care needs like moisture gradient, ventilation, and protein based foods are not consistently adhered to. They are typically on the slow side to reproduce. But once established they will be very prolific on a regular basis. They are among the few isopods that can survive and do well in a semi arid environment making them ideal for bioactive set ups of this type. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Klugii "Montenegro Orange" which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this interesting isopod species!
Quick Facts
- Origin: Balkan coast lines and areas between Croatia through Montenegro
- Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Klugii
- Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch
- Activity level: Somewhat day active with peak activity at night
- Morph Type: Orange
- Morph Characteristics: Various hues of orange ranging from bright to dark
Armadillidium Klugii "Montenegro Orange" Care
Housing- A standard 6 to 8 quart gasket sealed storage tote or small glass aquarium 5-10 gallons is sufficient for a small starter colony of 12-20 isopods. Provide hides such as cork bark, rotting wood slabs and leaf litter on both the damp and dry side. This allows your isopods the option to move to different areas of the enclosure that best suit their biological processes at any given time while still having the security of not being exposed in the open. These furnishings also create "micro climates" within the enclosure by adding more dimensions than just a moist and dry side which in turns facilitates a strong healthy culture.
Temperature- Slightly above average room temperature is optimal for Klugii isopods, but they will also survive just fine in a typical room temperature setting. A night drop no lower than the mid to low 60sF will not do them any harm and is actually beneficial as it mimics their natural environment. Daytime highs should not exceed the mid 80sF. Carefully consider the room and location where they will placed to ensure a relatively stable temperature range. Low wattage plant seedling heat mats with a thermostat can be used for supplemental warmth at night or during colder seasons if needed.
Humidity- Armadillidium Klugii prefer a temperate to semi arid environment. Around 1/3 but of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum mossing covering the hides and leaf litter. A slightly deeper substrate depth combined with a thin layer of leaf litter on top of the moss will do well to retain humidity and reduce the frequency of watering needed to keep the moist side from drying out. The rest of the enclosure should be fairly dry. Clown isopods are built to survive in less humid environments, but like all isopods they absolutely must have a moist area to rehydrate when needed.
Ventilation- Clown isopods need modest to high ventilation. Air flow is the biggest factor when determining how to keep stable humidity levels. It is essential because without it, the entire enclosure can quickly get stagnant causing mold and pests like gnats and mites to appear. Too much ventilation means more frequent watering and the risk everything could dry out to the point the isopods perish. There is no one size fits all answer on how to facilitate good ventilation. Numerous factors like the ambient air temperature, where the enclosure is placed in your home, substrate depth, substrate type, top and/or cross ventilation holes along with how the enclosure is furnished are typically the biggest influencers. Making adjustments to each of these specific aspects as needed and observing the results after a day or two will help you dial in the ideal balance between humidity and air flow that suits your unique set up.
Diet- Always have an abundance of dried leaf litter and soft rotting wood as their primary diet. They will eagerly accept most any veggies like cucumbers, carrots, and squash. Commercially available isopod foods like Repashy morning wood, bug burger can be offered on a supplemental basis 1-2 times per week. If you have a bioactive enclosure, be aware Armadillidium isopods have a reputation for sometimes munching on both dead and live plants. A good protein source like freeze dried shrimp, minnows or fish food should also be offered on a supplemental basis 1-2 times a week. Be sure to place protein based foods on the dry side as they will spoil quickly in humid conditions. Any supplemental foods not fully consumed in 12-24 hours should be removed from the enclosure.
Supplements- Crushed oyster shell, eggs shell or cuttlebone are highly recommended for calcium and can be replaced as needed. A good calcium source helps ensure easier molting, fast growth rates and optimal reproduction success for your culture.
Breeding- If you desire to grow and expand your clown isopod numbers, the slightly elevated temperature range of 74F-79F will make this happen faster. Not letting the calcium supplements lapse for too long will also make this process faster. All Klugii isopods tend to take some time to get established and won't reproduce quite as quickly as some other species. But with patience and consistency they will breed and multiply readily. Mostly in the warmer summer months. Most keepers report 3-4 months before offspring start showing up.