Products

Cubaris Sp. Salmon is a robust isopod from the island of Martinique. An nation within the Lesser Antilles island chain in the Caribbean. It's no surprise their coloration is a pleasant pink to orange-ish salmon color. Younger individuals tend to be bright and vibrant where mature individuals are typically a deeper in hues. However this can and does vary per individual.  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 will suit them just fine but keep in mind they are native to tropical to sub tropical areas so so do not let it get too cool. A good temperature range is 72-80F leaning more towards the warmer end if possible. Cubaris Sp. Salmon Martinique isopods do not need a pronounced moisture gradient like most other isopods but are also more forgiving if conditions go just a little bit astray for a short time period. A small moisture gradient is fine, but a consistent lightly damp (not wet) enclosure is ideal. They will not fare well if allowed to get any level of dry. A 75% humidity level without large deviations will yield a fast growing culture within a time frame of 3-4 months. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over different parts of the enclosure 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. These festive invertebrates enjoy food options like squash, carrots, cucumbers and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food. They also tend to be protein hungry so offer them 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. As with most any other Cubaris isopod, it's recommended to have some limestone in their enclosure. This mimics their natural cave environments and they do seem to enjoy it. This can be in the form of crushed pellets they can nibble or small light weight stones they can crawl on and hide under. In our experience either will work, but our pods seem to enjoy Texas holy rock. If you have a semi tropical, to tropical enclosure and are in need of a bioactive clean up crew suited for these conditions, the Salmon Martinique isopod is an ideal candidate for your needs. Simply give them consistent temperatures and the humidity they need and they will produce and work so long as these parameters are kept in check. Their various light and dark hues are a nice touch and they're not extremely sensitive like many other cubaris types.   Quick Facts Origin: Various parts of Thailand and Vietnam Classification: Armadillidiidae > Cubaris > Cubaris Sp. > Salmon Martinique Average Size: 0.5 to 0.6" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some day activity in larger cultures is normal. Care Level: Intermediate

Give your Cubaris Sp. Salmon Martinique enclosure some zing with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the blue watermark text.

The Snow Bee Isopod is a visually appealing genetic variant of the Emperor Bee Isopod. The difference is the Snow Bee is hypomelanisitc which means it has a noticeably reduced amount of dark pigmentation. This is distinctly different from albinism, which results in a complete or near complete absence of melanin. This has caused some level of confusion in the hobby. Simply stated, They are both the same exact animal, the same species with the same taxonomic classification. One just has reduced pigmentation and the other does not. Snow Bees are easily distinguished by their overall lighter washed out appearance. The lighter bands can vary from off white to a pale creamy yellow while the center band can vary from a medium brown to a deep purple. Emperor Bees on the other hand have bright bold colors consisting of golden yellow up front, jet black in the middle and often  a touch of white on the rump area. It is not unusual to sometimes have a few Emperor bees show in broods derived from Snow Bee isopods. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium with tight fitting lid is sufficient for a small starter culture of 6-10 individuals. 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. These isopods are a sub tropical to tropical species so they do prefer it on the warmer side. 72F to 80F is their comfort zone. Small deviations in temperature are not detrimental, but do whatever you need based on your enclosure set up to avoid large swings in either direction as they typically do not fare well with large sudden changes. They also don't need a defined moisture gradient like most other isopods. Their native environments are warmer temperatures and higher humidity most times of the year. The soil should be mostly moist but not soggy! A very small moisture gradient in our experience has worked well. Just ensure neither side gets anywhere remotely close to dry. Our breeder tank is best described as "moist side and slightly less moist side". A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a reasonably consistent humidity. Do also provide a deeper substrate as they like to burrow sometimes. Depth should be a minimum 4-6 inches. Deeper substrates will also retain water longer so this goes hand in hand with humidity needs. 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. They also need some occasional protein in their diets 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. Snow Bees are noted to be fond of limestone, mirroring the caves and rocky areas they naturally occur. The Snow Bee isopod is a generally slow to moderate breeder and requires a strict care regimen to thrive. Providing the environment they need is not hard, the only challenge is keeping it consistent and not allowing parameters to swing too far in short periods of time. But if you can get them dialed in properly and maintain that, they will do well with patience and time. Their frosty contrasting colors are very unique and make them a highly sought after specimen. Quick Facts Origin: Thailand Classification: Armadillidiidae > Cubaris > Cubaris Sp. > Snow Bee Characteristics: Hypomelanistic variant of thje Emporor Bee with a frosty pale appearance.  Activity Level: Primarily nocturnal and active at night. Very shy and seldom seen during daylight hours. Average Size: 0.75" to "0.85" Care Level: Advanced  

Give your Cubaris Sp. Snow Bee enclosure some zing with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the blue watermark text.

The coveted Rubber Ducky is quite likely a huge part of why the isopod hobby has quickly grown from odd and reclusive to main stream. Who couldn't fall in love with their brilliant contrasting colors and adorable duck face like features? Outside of folks who just need a simple effective clean up crew for an enclosure, the Rubber Ducky isopod is an essential component and must have for any hobbyist or collector. This ultra rare variant features a nice contrasting black and white pattern. They almost look like they are wearing little tuxedos and are quite endearing. But that cuteness does have some strings attached if you want to have a thriving culture and enjoy these top tier crustaceans. Firstly, this NOT an ideal isopod for beginners with zero experience or understanding of general isopod keeping and husbandry. Most Cubaris with a few exceptions are considered an advanced species far as needs go to keep them alive and healthy. While they do not require intense daily care, they do have specific environmental needs that must be consistently maintained without large swings. A sharp change in temperature and/or humidity alone can end all of them in a short period of time. There is a wealth of information out there about how to care for these isopods and get the best results. As with almost any topic, if you read enough you will find some details from one source do not always 100% line up with another. There are many fine points that are legit debatable and many of these come from respectable experienced keepers. Our mantra is not to say who is potentially right or wrong or squabble about micro details. But only to provide you the best practices which is largely the relevant straight forward needs of this rare designer isopod so you can share your success with others. First, a large reality check for anyone who needs it. Ducky Isopods are shy and reclusive. Unless you are up for a little while after the lights go out, you likely will not see these isopods out and about during the day very much. A random here and there sighting during the day is not uncommon and you will in fact see more with higher numbers in a given space, but this species is primarily nocturnal. They also do not enjoy being disturbed and will quickly scurry to hide if exposed. Constantly flipping over bark, leaves and other hiding spots to look at them will stress them out and can lead to much worse things happening. Our advice is to leave them alone as much as realistically possible outside of necessary husbandry and enclosure maintenance needs. The less they are disturbed, the faster they will settle in and get along with their natural life processes. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium with tight fitting lid is sufficient for a small starter culture of 10-15 individuals. White Ducky Isopods are very slow to reproduce compared to many other species typically taking up to 4-6 months in ideal care conditions before young start appearing. So this size should last you a decent amount of time before a size upgrade is needed. 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. Ducky Isopods are a sub tropical to tropical species so they do prefer it on the warmer side. High 70s to very low 80s F is their comfort zone. Small deviations in temperature are not detrimental, but do whatever you need based on your enclosure set up to avoid large swings in either direction. White Duckies do not need a defined moisture gradient like most other isopods. Their native environments are warmer temperatures and higher humidity most times of the year. The soil should be mostly moist but not soggy! A very small moisture gradient in our experience has worked well. Just ensure neither side gets anywhere remotely close to dry. Our breeder tank is best described as "moist side and slightly less moist side". A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a reasonably consistent humidity. Do also provide a deeper substrate as they tend to burrow sometimes. Depth should be a minimum 4-6 inches. Deeper substrates will also retain water longer so this goes hand in hand with humidity needs. 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. They also need some occasional protein in their diets 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. White Duckys are noted to be fond of limestone, mirroring the caves and rocky areas they naturally occur. This holds true for our Duckys as they quickly devour calcium sources like cuttle bone when offered. Texas Holy Rock (in small chunks) is reported to be a favorite as well.In conclusion when compared to many other isopods, White Duckies are certainly a bit more "needy". But if you can meet their care needs and most importantly keep them consistent, your White Duckies will not only survive but will multiply and flourish in due time. Quick Facts Origin: Thailand Classification: Armadillidiidae > Cubaris > Cubaris Sp. > Rubber Ducky Characteristics: Classic cute ducky face and colors! Needs specific environmental parameters to thrive. Rare and slow to reproduce. Activity Level: Primarily nocturnal. Very shy and seldom seen during daylight hours. Average Size: 0.75" to "0.85" Care Level: Advanced  

Give your Cubaris Sp. White Ducky enclosure some zing with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the blue watermark text.

Give your Cubaris Sp. White Pigeon enclosure some zing with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the blue watermark text.

Give your Cubaris Sp. White Shark enclosure some zing with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the blue watermark text.

Give your Cubaris Sp. Yellow Tiger enclosure some zing with our premium isopod bin labels! They measure 6 inches long by 2.5 inches in height and are enclosed in a sturdy 5 mil thick laminate sheet locking out dust and moisture. They include basic care details including, temperature range, moisture gradient, humidity and activity levels. They also include a few fun educational facts adding that perfect finishing touch. The label you receive will NOT include the blue watermark text.

Cylisticus Convexus originates from Europe but now can be found on nearly every major continent with human habitation. They're a very adaptable species able to thrive in a multitude of climates ranging from semi arid to semi tropical. They're  sometimes referred to as the "Curly Isopod" or "Teardrop Isopod" due to the fact when they roll into the classic defensive ball, it's only does so partially creating more of an oval shape than a sphere like many other isopod species. This particular type dubbed the "Ukraine Pied", originates from individuals collected in Ukraine showing the black and white dalmatian pattern. These original specimens were then further refined with selective breeding as to have a visually appealing amount of contrast. This isopod is on par with the well known powder blue or powder orange in terms of overall general care. They are a very easy species to keep and can become quite prolific once well established. They tend to burrow into the substrate to some degree so some additional depth is of benefit. They are nocturnal and will quickly scurry to hide or burrow if exposed to bright lighting. But they are truly enjoyable to observe at night as they will come out in force with no reservations moving all about their enclosure foraging and searching for food.  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 low to mid 70sF will suit them just fine. Around one half to one third of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side. This species will do fine in almost any type of environmental set up so long as it isn't completely over saturated or too arid with little to no moisture. We find an average moisture gradient works well with this species. 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. Ukraine Pied isopods are fond of protein in their diets which can be things like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, dried insects and other protein based food sources. They do have an impressive feeding response when offered such items. Almost like a swarm of piranhas, they will cluster all over the food source and devour it quickly. But this is mostly only at night or in low light settings. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pestsCylisticus Convexus Ukraine Pied is a great choice for clean up crew in a wide variety of environmental enclosure types. They are very good and quickly breaking down any type of decaying plant or organic materials. They're also a great first isopod if you're new to the hobby. Just know they aren't the best display type unless you are a night person as well. They won't be seen much during the daylight hours. So long as you ensure they don't dry out and offer them a reasonable amount of supplemental food items, they will multiply and flourish without any needed extended efforts on your behalf. Quick Facts Origin: Ukraine Taxonomy: Cylisticidae > Cylisticus > Cylisticus Convexus Average Size: 0.50" inch to 0.60" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal Difficulty: Easy

Eucalyptus seed pods are a fun festive natural accent for any isopod enclosure. They have small nooks on the front side making an ideal hiding place for smaller isopods and springtails. Their natural cylindrical curves give your isopods addition terrain to explore and forage amongst. Natural botanicals are beneficial for isopods and other invertebrates giving your terrarium that natural look and feel of nature which in turns makes it easier for your isopods to feel at home and go about their natural life processes. Eucalyptus Seed Pods come from the fruit of the eucalyptus tree (Eucalyptus Globulus) found in Australia and surrounding islands. Eucalyptus Pods are rough 1/2 inch diameter. Please do note that these are all natural and made by nature so each one is unique and will vary slightly in color and size. All botanicals we sell are light rinsed with RO water and oven baked to ensure they are fresh and ready for your isopod enclosure. 

Puberula pods a thin and very light botanical that can mix well with isopod leaf litter or be that final finishing touch that makes your bioactive perfect! They have an aesthetically pleasing 2 tone coloration. One side is a deep brown color with a leather like texture. The other is much lighter typically beige to light yellow.  Puberula pods are the fruit capsule of the tree Jacaranda Puberula which grows exclusively in eastern Brazil.  They are very light and thin giving your isopods numerous additional climbing surfaces with zero concerns about extra weight if they topple or flip over. Please do note that these are all natural and made by nature so each one is unique and will vary slightly in color and size. All botanicals we sell are light rinsed with RO water and oven baked to ensure they are fresh and ready for your isopod enclosure.

Live oak leaf litter is a staple for bioactive enclosures and a great food source for isopods. Aged live oak leaves are somewhat rigid, and will not break down as quickly as other leaf litter types. Yet they are still soft enough that your isopods can nibble on them and get nourishment without completely stripping the edible parts away quickly. Please note each bag of leaf litter will contain around 30-50% crushed leaves with the remainder whole or very close. This gives you some that's already partially broken down and easier for the isopods to eat along with some for other purpose where whole leaves are more desirable. As an added bonus, every bag of live oak leaf litter will contain 5 FREE acorn caps! Live oak leaves are also ideal for retaining humidity in your enclosure. Just put 1-2 thin layers directly on top of some sphagnum moss. The leaves will insulate the moisture content thus reducing the frequency you need to add water for a consistent moisture gradient. This also benefits the isopods by creating additional hiding spots where they can feel secure. Our live oak leaf litter is ethically sourced from northern Florida on private property that is not treated with pesticides. We have a strict in house process to ensure you receive quality leaf litter safe for isopods while also sparing you the time consuming treatment process.   Our Leaf Litter Treatment Process 1. Leaves are rinsed under an RO (reverse osmosis) water faucet to remove dust, dirt, and any other small debris. This also washes away any unwanted hitchhikers like small insects, spiders or other invertebrates.  2. Next the leaves are placed in a sealed container of RO water to soak for 24 hours. This further ensures other possible unwanted pests are eliminated while also allowing any remaining dirt or debris to soften and separate from the leaves.  3. After 24 hours the leaves get a quick secondary rinse to wash away any remaining particulates.  4. We then light bake the leaves in small batches for 15-25 minutes. Enough for them to dry, but not cooked to a crisp which would rob them of the valuable nutrients your isopods need to thrive. 5. Lastly the leaves are given a good visual inspection as they are packed into their respective quart and gallon bags.   Please note although we do take stringent and thorough steps to ensure your leaf litter is good to go as is, mother nature sometimes has a way of surprising us. With that said, we highly recommend you also give the leaves a good look over before placing them in with your isopods. 

  Magnolia leaf litter is very useful tool in the isopod enclosure. They are long lasting and durable. They are also thick and leathery which gives them additional uses beyond a food source. They are very ideal for humidity retention. Place a few of them over some moistened sphagnum moss and they will act as an insulator keeping it moist much longer along with the substrate underneath. When the isopods eventually wear them down you can simply replace with new ones. Please note each bag of leaf litter will contain around 30-50% crushed leaves with the remainder whole or very close. This gives you some that's already partially broken down and easier for the isopods to eat along with some for other purpose where whole leaves are more desirable. As and added bonus, every bag of magnolia leaf litter will include 1 FREE magnolia seed pod! The long lasting nature of magnolia leaves also benefit isopods by creating additional hiding spots where they can feel secure. Arrange them in a few layers to create several "micro climates" that give your pods many options to self regulate thus making a healthier stronger culture. Our magnolia leaf litter is ethically sourced on private property that is not treated with pesticides. We have a strict in house process to ensure you receive quality leaf litter safe for isopods while also sparing you the time consuming treatment process.   Our Leaf Litter Treatment Process 1. Leaves are rinsed under an RO (reverse osmosis) water faucet to remove dust, dirt, and any other small debris. This also washes away any unwanted hitchhikers like small insects, spiders or other invertebrates.  2. Next the leaves are placed in a sealed container of RO water to soak for 24 hours. This further ensures other possible unwanted pests are eliminated while also allowing any remaining dirt or debris to soften and separate from the leaves.  3. After 24 hours the leaves get a quick secondary rinse to wash away any remaining particulates.  4. We then light bake the leaves in small batches for 15-25 minutes. Enough for them to dry, but not cooked which would rob them of the valuable nutrients your isopods need to thrive. 5. Lastly the leaves are given a good visual inspection as they are packed into their respective quart and gallon bags.   Please note although we do take stringent and thorough steps to ensure your leaf litter is good to go as is, mother nature sometimes has a way of surprising us. With that said, we highly recommend you also give the leaves a good look over before placing them in with your isopods. 

Natural mahogany pods are a fantastic addition for your bio-active isopod terrarium. They facilitate climbing and exploring while also serving as hides so your invertebrates will feel right at home. Isopods set up with an enclosure that mimics their natural surroundings are much more inclined to live a long healthy life and go about their natural life processes stress free and reproduce much faster. These natural botanicals originate from the Mahogany Tree (Swietenia Macrophylla) and occur naturally in the Caribbean and West Indies. Mahogany Pods vary in color from light to dark brown and range in size from 3 to 5 inches in length. Average width is approximately 1.5 inches wide. Please do note that these are all natural and made by nature so each one is unique and will vary slightly in color and size. All botanicals we sell are light rinsed with RO water and oven baked to ensure they are fresh and ready for your isopod enclosure.