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Armadillidium Gestroi is a large robust isopod and is among the handful that are pleasantly daytime active. They have 3-4 rows of blazing bright yellow splotching running down the length of the pereon and pleon sections that contrast nicely on their jet black base coloring. It is believed this bold coloration is an adaption mimicking the markings of venomous animals that serves a visual warning to predators to keep away. But no worries, Gestroi isopods are completely harmless. They are generally easy to keep and make an aesthetically pleasing display isopod. This popular isopod is a bit of a tank, but the average 6 quart or small glass aquarium is fine for a starter culture amount of 12-12 individuals. Just know you will likely be needing to upgrade or make other plans sooner than later once they start producing offspring. Average room temperature is fine for this species. A. Vulgare prefers a temperate environment, but slightly higher on the moist side. Good ventilation is key with this species as you do not want a completely semi tropical enclosure. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely lacking some level of moisture. Their primary diet is dried leaf litter and soft decayed wood which should always be available in abundance. They also enjoy veggies like squash, carrots, radishes and similar. These can be added on a supplemental basis a few times a week. Other supplemental options such as commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy are also devoured without hesitation. Armadillidium Gestroi isopods also need some protein in their diets. Options like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, fish flakes and other protein based food sources work well. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests.  Armadillidium Gestroi is a fantastic isopod for beginners. It is not extremely sensitive and fairly tolerable to typical new keeper mistakes and learning curves. They will reproduce readily once established and is an all around rewarding species for any collection. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Gestroi which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this showy isopod species! Quick Facts Origin: France and Italy Family Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > Gestroi Size: Average is around 0.75 inches with large adults reaching 0.80+ inches Activity level: Generally outgoing and daytime active Difficulty: Easy

The zebra isopod, Armadillidium Maculatum is a fan favorite in the isopod hobby. Who couldn't love bold zebra stripes on such a tiny creature?! Native to southern France, this adorable little crustacean is hardy and very easy to care for. It's attractive appearance, outgoing nature and ease of keeping combined with it's overall reasonable price point make it a top choice for beginners.  Building your own thriving culture of A. Maculatum isopods is easy. A starter group of 12-20 individuals can be kept in a small enclosure like a 6qt storage bin or small glass tank. Slightly above average room temperature of 75-82F is their comfort zone, but they will also do just fine in slightly cooler temperatures. An average moisture gradient is acceptable. Zebras can withstand somewhat drier conditions better than most isopods, but ensure they always have a moist area to rehydrate their gills. All typical isopod foods are readily accepted. Mixed veggies like carrots, squash, radishes and similar are good. Commercial powdered isopod diets like Repashy are highly recommended and ours here at our facility absolutely relish it! A serving or two of protein each week is also very beneficial. Fish pellets, freeze dried shrimp or minnows are widely available and work fine. Armadillidium Maculatum is daytime active and quite bold. Especially once their numbers increase. They make an excellent clean up crew if used in a bioactive, but be aware all Armadillidium isopods have a reputation for eating live plants. They make a fantastic display isopod for any age or experience level. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Maculatum which expands much deeper into all aspects of keeping and breeding this classic show off isopod.  Quick Facts Origin: Southern France and Mediterranean Areas Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Maculatum Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Daytime active and outgoing Morph Type: N/A Known Morphs: High Yellow, Chocolate, High White, Spotted

The Tangerine morph of A. Vulgare was isolated from the Punta Cana line by selective breeding efforts of dedicated hobbyist. Tangerine isopods are born a bright and vibrant orange, but will deepen over time. As adults they are a deep almost burnt orange sometimes bordering red on very mature individuals.  Armadillidium Vulgare is a very common isopod species and the one most people are referring to when the iconic term "pill bug" is mentioned. They are native to Europe, most notably in the Mediterranean basin area but have established themselves nearly worldwide. They are a beginner friendly species being fairly flexible in their needs and tolerant of a variety of environmental conditions. Armadillidium Vulgare is a relatively outgoing isopod that can be seen exploring and moving about their enclosure at various times. As with most isopods, higher numbers means higher visibility. Average room temperature is fine for this species. A. Vulgare prefers a temperate climate with good ventilation. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely devoid of some moisture. Their primary diet is dried leaf litter and soft decayed wood which should always be available in abundance. They should also be offered some fresh vegetables like squash, carrots, cucumbers and other veggies 1-2 times a week. Other supplemental options such as commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy are also devoured with enthusiasm. Tangerine isopods also need some protein in their diets. Options like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, fish flakes and other protein based food sources work well. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests.  All in all Armadillidium Vulgare is an easy species to keep and is fairly forgiving with the learning curves of new keepers or the occasional memory lapse. The Tangerine morph is just one of many exciting color options these fascinating little isopods come in. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Vulgare "Tangerine" which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this desirable isopod species! Quick Facts Origin: Mediterranean Europe Scientific Name: Armadillidium Vulgare Morph Name: Tangerine Characteristics: Young are bright orange and adults are deep to dark orange Size: Average is around 0.5 inches with large adults reaching 0.70 inches Activity level: Generally outgoing and daytime active

Oniscus Asellus "BC Maple" is a visually stunning morph of the wild type which displays various dazzling hues of orange. Some with a lighter orange to translucent white around the skirt. This morph was isolated and refined through selective breeding of individuals exhibiting enhanced orange pigmentation. It is a species worth adding to your collection and at this time is still highly sought after. Oniscus Asellus is a species that does have some unique care needs and tends to be less forgiving if their requirements are not correct and consistent. A starter group of 10-15 individuals can be kept in a small enclosure like a 6qt storage bin or small glass tank. Natural botanicals are a great way to decorate your enclosure in a way that mimics the isopods natural habitat. They are also fond of concave cork bark which they can often be found huddled up in small groups. These isopods (wild types) naturally occur in northern parts of the USA and up into Canada. As such, they thrive in cooler temperatures which sets them apart from the vast majority of other terrestrial isopods. 65-72F is ideal though they can tolerate slightly warmer ranges. Wide swings in temperature are generally not tolerated well and could result in a crash, so ensure your bin is in a location where fluctuations will be minimal. They also are noted to do better with a minimal moisture gradient leaning more towards the moist side. It is recommended to keep some area drier, but this needs not be more than 25% of the available space. Isopods have evolved to be detrivores with their primary diet being decayed organic matter. In the wild this is largely things like soft rotting wood and dried leaf litter along with any other deceased plant or animal they might stumble upon. Supplemental vegetables items like carrots, squash, potatoes and similar are readily accepted. Commercial powdered isopod diets like Repashy Morning Wood are also highly recommended. A serving or two of protein each week is appreciated and devoured. Fish pellets, freeze dried shrimp or minnows are just a few types these isopods will eat without hesitation. Oniscus Asellus is most active at night. You may see a few out and about during the day, but the majority tend to be reclusive until they lights are out. They make an ideal clean up crew if used in a bioactive as they do like to burrow and eat the substrate to some degree. This isopod is not a prolific breeder so understand that building a sizeable culture will take time and patience. Though this gorgeous isopod does have some potentially challenging care needs, it is worth keeping if it's required parameters can be maintained without large deviations. See our full care guide for Oniscus Asellus "BC Maple" which expands deeper into all aspects of keeping and breeding this designer isopod species. Quick Facts Origin: Native to Europe and introduced to North America Classification: Oniscidae > Oniscus > Asellus Average Size: 0.50 to 0.75" inch Morph Type: BC Maple Morph Characteristics: Various hues of orange from bright to deep 

Oniscus Asellus "Mardi Gras" is one of those few isopods you must see in person to truly appreciate their diverse black and white patterns with a vibrant splotch or two of lemon yellow. This morph was isolated and refined through selective breeding of individuals exhibiting this unique dalmatian pigmentation. It is a species worth adding to your collection and at this time is still highly sought after. Oniscus Asellus is a species that does have some unique care needs and tends to be less forgiving if their requirements are not correct and consistent. A starter group of 10-15 individuals can be kept in a small enclosure like a 6qt storage bin or small glass tank. Natural botanicals are a great way to decorate your enclosure in a way that mimics the isopods natural habitat. They are also fond of concave cork bark which they can often be found huddled up in small groups. These isopods (wild types) naturally occur in northern parts of the USA and up into Canada. As such, they thrive in cooler temperatures which sets them apart from the vast majority of other terrestrial isopods. 65-72F is ideal though they can tolerate slightly warmer ranges. Wide swings in temperature are generally not tolerated well and could result in a crash, so ensure your bin is in a location where fluctuations will be minimal. They also are noted to do better with a minimal moisture gradient leaning more towards the moist side. It is recommended to keep some area drier, but this needs not be more than 25% of the available space. Isopods have evolved to be detrivores with their primary diet being decayed organic matter. In the wild this is largely things like soft rotting wood and dried leaf litter along with any other deceased plant or animal they might stumble upon. Supplemental vegetables items like carrots, squash, potatoes and similar are readily accepted. Commercial powdered isopod diets like Repashy Morning Wood are also highly recommended. A serving or two of protein each week is appreciated and devoured. Fish pellets, freeze dried shrimp or minnows are just a few types these isopods will eat without hesitation. Oniscus Asellus is most active at night. You may see a few out and about during the day, but the majority tend to be reclusive until they lights are out. They make an ideal clean up crew if used in a bioactive as they do like to burrow and eat the substrate to some degree. This isopod is not a prolific breeder so understand that building a sizeable culture will take time and patience. Though this gorgeous isopod does have some potentially challenging care needs, it is worth keeping if it's required parameters can be maintained without large deviations. See our full care guide for Oniscus Asellus which expands deeper into all aspects of keeping and breeding this designer isopod species. Quick Facts Origin: Native to Europe and introduced to North America Classification: Oniscidae > Oniscus > Asellus Average Size: 0.50 to 0.75" inch Morph Type: Mardi Gras Dalmation Morph Characteristics: Random black and white with a few spots of yellow

Porcellio Scaber "Lava" is an iconic morph that has earned it's right as "attention grabber" in the isopod hobby due to it's desirable striking appearance combined with it's ease of availability. Lava isopods along with all other Porcellio Scaber morphs are an excellent choice for beginners. They have a wide tolerance for both temperature and humidity. This convenient forgiving nature in their husbandry requirements means they can generally tolerate a moderate level of learning curves without disaster. The morph characteristics of Porcelleio Scaber "Lava" are displayed as a highly variable patterning of deep orange/red hues on a mostly gray to black base. They are very prolific and will reproduce readily if well cared for. Be aware the patterning on each and every isopod is unique. Some offspring may exhibit high levels of red/orange while others may be nearly all gray due to their unique genetic lineage. All isopods you will receive from us will exhibit a good ratio of red/orange patterns. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture. Standard or bioactive enclosures can be enhanced with natural botanical items to simulate the isopods habitat in the wild. This helps them feel secure which in turn promotes their natural processes like eating and breeding. Average room temperature in the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. Slightly warmer is desirable if you wish to see a thriving culture that is active and reproduces faster. This species They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. Isopods are detritivores. Their primary diet in nature is leaf litter and decayed wood. Both of these should always be available in abundance. They will also happily consume any other decomposing organic plant or animal matter they come across. As such it is vital to supplement your isopods with other food sources on a semi regular basis. They enjoy food options like squash, radishes, carrots and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy. Being a Porcellio, they are especially fond of protein which can be things like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, dried insects 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. Porcellio Scaber Lava is just one of many color morphs of this hardy isopod. Their adaptability to a wide range of humidity and ventilation needs make them a top choice for a clean up crew or a display pet. See our full care guide for Porcellio Scaber which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this amazing isopod species including breeding! Quick Facts Origin: Europe, but established nearly worldwide Family Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Porcellio Scaber Morph Name: "Lava" Variable splotches of red/orange on a gray/black base Average Size: 0.65" to 0.75" inches  Activity level: Primarily nocturnal but does show some daytime activity Care Level: Easy

Porcellionides Pruinosus was among the first commercially available isopods thanks to their hardiness and flexibility with environmental habitats. They are close as you can get to "bullet proof" when it comes to isopods making them a hands down best choice for beginners and/or non traditional isopod set ups that may be more arid. Powder Orange Isopods were derived from selective trait line breeding from their counterparts the powder blue. They have a soft fragile body and a velvety appearance and texture. The oranges can range from bright and vibrant to deep and rich. They are pleasantly daytime and night time active making them an excellent display species. They are generally not shy at all and are quite voracious feeders. descending on a food source and devouring it as if it were their last. Basic husbandry for this species is stright forward and offers moderate flexibility. They thrive in humid or semi arid set ups so long as they have a nook that is consistently moist so they can rehydrate as needed. Just provide them a standard moisture gradient in their enclosure along with the typical isopod foods consisting of varied veggies like carrots, radishes, squashes and so on. They are fond of powdered isopod diets like Repashy Morning Wood and Bug Burger as well. Being in the Porcellio family, they are no exception in the fact that they relish protien based foods like freeze dried shrimp or minnows. Similar items like fish flakes, shrimp pellets and dried insects are also consumed readily. When provided with the basic care needs they will reproduce quite readily and potentially fast. To learn more beyond the very basic care parameters stated here,  see our full care guide for Porcellionides Pruinosus "Powder Orange" which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this rewarding and entertaining isopod! Quick Facts Origin:  Family Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellionides > Pruinosus Morph Name: Powder Orange Average Size: 1/4" to 1/2" inches Activity Level: Highly active both day and night Difficulty: Easy