All Isopods

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.  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 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. Rubber Ducky Isopods are slow to reproduce compared to many other species typically taking up to 3-4 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. Rubber 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. Rubber 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, Rubber Duckies are certainly a bit more "needy". But if you can meet their care needs and most importantly keep them consistent, your Rubber 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. They tend to stay clustered under cork bark and burrow in the substrate. Activity Level: Primarily nocturnal. Very shy and seldom seen during daylight hours. Average Size: 0.75" to "0.80" Care Level: Advanced  

Armadillidium Klugii "Montenegro" is one of the very few visually stunning isopods widely available and generally very affordable. They are characterized by a bright red skirt that surrounds a dark brown to black base color. They have 3 rows of dots, usually a mix of white and yellow that extend the full length of the pereon section. They are modestly sizeable and somewhat shy and reclusive being most active at night. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture of these beauties. 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 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 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. 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.  While this showy 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" 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/Locality Type: Montenegro  Known Morphs/Localities : Montenegro Orange, Pudding, Dubrovnik

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 12-20 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. Gestroi 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 Yellow Zebra isopod, Armadillidium Maculatum is a stunning morph derived from the classic black and white striped zebra isopod. 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 "Yellow Zebra" 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: Yellow Known Morphs: Yellow, Chocolate, High White, Spotted

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

Cubaris Murina Anemone is a great isopod for many applications from bio-active custodian, classroom educational setting or of course just as a unique pet.They have attractive coloring consisting of random dark splotching on a light pink base. This is believed to be a calico morph. The color expression can and does vary between individuals, but all have it to some degree. Cubaris Murina is among the easiest of the Cubaris Genus to keep not being quite as sensitive and demanding as it's many other cousins. 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. C. Murina 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 give you fantastic results. 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. Panda Kings 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'a 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.  In addition to the anemone morph seen here, there are many other color morphs available ranging from grey, pink, white, orange and a few others as well! Starter and smaller cultures are somewhat reclusive, but they are noticeable more bold in higher numbers. Our large cultures are active both day and night and can always be seen moving about in their enclosure. With only a few non demanding needs outside of "typical isopod care", Cubaris Murina is no doubt an excellent isopod to add to your collection! Quick Facts Origin: Southeast Asia Classification: Armadillidiadae > Cubaris > Cubaris Murina  Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Care Level: Intermediate

One of the more "showy" isopods available in the hobby, the Japanese Magic Potion is an ideal choice for those who want something aesthetically pleasing to look at in terms of a clean up crew! Not only is this isopod a great janitor, but their variable splotchy coloration is far from the standard drab grey, brown and blacks you see on most wild types. Armadillidium Vulgare is a very common isopod species and the one most people are referring to when the iconic term "pill bug" or "roly poly". 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. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture of these beauties. 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 around the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. 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.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. 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 Armadillidium Vulgare "Japanese Magic Potion" is an easy species to keep and is fairly forgiving with the learning curves of new keepers or the occasional memory lapse. A. Vulgare has many other color morphs and locales worth checking out if you like this species and want a variety of colors.  For a closer look at the aspects of keeping this visually appealing isopod including breeding, see our "Armadillidium Japanese Magic Potion Care Guide" which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this must have isopod! Quick Facts Origin: Mediterranean Europe Scientific Name: Armadillidium Vulgare Morph Name: Japanese Magic Potion Characteristics: Random yellow splotching with black dots on a translucent white base.  Size: Average is around 0.5 inches with large adults reaching 0.70 inches Activity level: Generally outgoing and daytime active

Cubaris Sp. RED Panda King is a unique isopod that can be ideal for beginners or keepers with some experience working with more common and less sensitive isopods. Red Panda King is a color morph of the common Panda King. Instead of the grey and white banding, the grey sections are replaced with a bright orange to deep red coloring in that section. They still retail the off white section in the center section of the perion. While most if not all Cubaris genus isopods have extra needs and are more sensitive, the Panda King isopod is considered a bit more tolerant and not as likely to die out if parameters go astray for a short period of time.  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. Panda Kings do not need a pronounced moisture gradient like most other isopods. A small 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 give you fantastic results. 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. Panda Kings enjoy food options like squash, carrots, cucumbers and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy. 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 is 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.  While this classic cubaris isopod with a red twist is not extremely difficult to keep, it still does require a bit more care than most common isopods like Armadillidium or Porcellio types. They are burrowers so do not expect to see them out and about during the day very much. They tend to scatter when disturbed and quickly hide. The best time to observe them is at night when they are naturally active and foraging for food. They are typically on the slow side to reproduce, but once established they will be fairly prolific on a regular basis. See our full care guide for Cubaris Sp."Red Panda King" which has comprehensive expanded details for this beginner friendly Cubaris isopod species. Quick Facts Origin: Various parts of Thailand and Vietnam Classification: Armadillidiidae > Cubaris > Cubaris Sp.  Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Minimal. They're nocturnal and tend to stay burrowed throughout the day. 

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: Europe Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellionides > Porcellionides Pruinosus Characteristics Average Size: Around 0.50" inch Activity Level: Highly active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

Porcellio Bolivari is likely one of the most beautiful and elegant looking isopods in the hobby today. Their base color is a pleasant lemon yellow with the segments of the perion being separated with mottled dark striping. The edges of the skirt including the legs and antenna are white to off white. The intensity of these coloration factors can vary between individuals. The most brilliant colors typically show in sub adult to adult specimens. Porcellio Bolivari is considered intermediate to advanced in terms of care as they have specific environmental needs that must be consistently adhered to for their survival. They are also sensitive to stress and do not do well with big changes or being disturbed an excessive amount. This is a larger Spanish porcellio with big males reaching on average 1.2 inches with females only slightly smaller. With that said, they need ample space. Males can be territorial and an off balance ratio of males to females can result in the females being "harassed" by eager males which causes stress and other potential issues. A sterilite gasket sealed bin or glass tank measuring at least 18-24 long by 12 or more inches wide is ample for a starter colony with some room to grow. 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. The ideal temperature range for P. Bolivari is 68-78F. Slightly warmer is desirable if you wish to see a thriving culture that is active and reproduces faster.  Moisture gradient and ventilation is where the potential challenging aspect of this species comes into play. They need a modest amount of moisture, but also an area or two that is dry to bone dry. Ideally if your set up is large enough, a few different areas that vary in this way can be beneficial. Such as having two separate moist corners and some dry area in between. They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day to facilitate their biological processes as needed. A second layer of needs that further makes them a little more involved is that they need medium to high ventilation. This is easiest achieved with an enclosure that has some level of height up and away from the substrate. In the areas that are to be moist, the substrate can be a bit deeper which in turn retains humidity longer. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will also help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. They also seem to appreciate some stacked cork bark which gives them another dimension to regulate their moisture needs by climbing higher away from the substrate. 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 do appreciate some protein occasionally 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. It should also be noted it's highly recommended to have some form of calcium available at all times. As these unique isopods naturally occur in the limestone caves of eastern Spain, they spend all of their lives in such environments and the closer your set up can mimic their natural surroundings, the better your chance of success. All in all Porcellio Bolivari is an absolutely amazing isopod and is among the few that can rightfully be refereed to as attractive in isopod terms. Once established with a proper and consistent care routine, they will breed readily and flourish. P. Bolivari is also unique in the fact that the females actually parent their broods. Young will cling to the underside or top of the female and only leave to scavenge and feed under her watchful eye. She will then collect them back up to move to a new location for fresh foraging. Taking young away from their mothers too soon will often result in their demise. Maturity is approximately 9 months from birth and the males are sexually dimorphic having larger overall body size with long uropods on their hind quarters. Quick Facts Origin: Eastern Spain Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Bolivari Characteristics: Bright coloring. Fast moving and delicate. Males are territorial. Protects and parents it's young. Average Size: 1 to 1.2 inches at adult size Activity level: Mostly active at night. Some day activity in large numbers. Difficulty: Advanced

Cubaris Murina Papaya is a great isopod for many applications from bio-active custodian, classroom educational setting or of course just as a unique pet. They are a pleasant semi translucent light pink color that can border orange on some specimens. Cubaris Murina is among the easiest of the Cubaris Genus to keep not being quite as sensitive and demanding as it's many other cousins. 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. C. Murina 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 give you fantastic results. 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. Panda Kings 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. In addition to the glacier morph seen here, there are many other color morphs available ranging from grey, white, orange and a few others as well! Starter and smaller cultures are somewhat reclusive, but they are noticeable more bold in higher numbers. Our large cultures are active both day and night and can always be seen moving about in their enclosure. With only a few non demanding needs outside of "typical isopod care", Cubaris Murina is no doubt an excellent isopod to add to your collection! Quick Facts Origin: Southeast Asia Classification: Armadillidiadae > Cubaris > Cubaris Murina  Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Care Level: Intermediate

Cubaris Sp. Panda King is a classic isopod ideal for beginners or keepers with some experience working with more common and less sensitive isopods. They have grey and white banding, that conjures the likeness of a panda bear hence their common trade name. While most if not all Cubaris genus isopods have extra needs and are more sensitive, the Panda King isopod is considered a bit more tolerant and not as likely to die out if parameters go astray for a short period of time.  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. Panda Kings do not need a pronounced moisture gradient like most other isopods. A small 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 give you fantastic results. 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. Panda Kings enjoy food options like radishes, carrots, zucchini and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy Morning Wood. 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 is 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.  While this endearing cubaris isopod is not extremely difficult to keep, it still does require a bit more care than most common isopods like Armadillidium or Porcellio types. They are burrowers so do not expect to see them out and about during the day very much. They tend to scatter when disturbed and quickly hide. The best time to observe them is at night when they are naturally active and foraging for food. They are typically on the slow side to reproduce, but once established they will be fairly prolific on a regular basis.  Quick Facts Origin: Various parts of Thailand and Vietnam Classification: Armadillidiidae > Cubaris > Cubaris Sp. > Panda King Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Minimal. They're nocturnal and tend to stay burrowed throughout the day.   Care Level: Intermediate

This color morph of the classic common black and white striped zebra isopod has the black stripes replaced with various shades of brown giving them a festive and unique appearance. 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: Chocolate

Porcellionides Pruinosus is one of the more common isopod species in the hobby. They are often favored for a clean up crew as they are highly adaptable to a variety of climates. They can thrive in any climate for semi arid to sub tropical. If using in semi-arid, do understand they still need a moist area to hydrate and cannot survive in a 100% bone dry enclosure. That aside, they are very prolific and will reproduce readily so long as their basic needs are met. They are soft bodied also making them ideal for feeders for smaller lizards, frogs or similar. This particular morph "Orange Cream" was created by crossing the regular powder orange with another morph called "Oreo Crumbles". They have a very attractive coloration consisting of random orange splotching over a white to off white base. The oranges can range bright to dark, but all specimens typically have a very nice contrast to them and are great show isopods if that is your desire. They are both day and night active so you can enjoy them all hours of the day and night. 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 does seem to appreciate a steep moisture gradient. 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. Orange Cream 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.  Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests. Porcellionides Pruinosus comes in many color forms, but this is one of our favorites. The bright oranges and whites combined with the fact they are rather active during the day makes them a top notch display isopod. The fact they are highly adaptable to a wide range of climates and very hardy is a win! You get a flashy isopod that can fill nearly any need from feeders, to display and or clean up crew! Quick Facts Origin: Europe Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellionides > Porcellionides Pruinosus Characteristics: Random light and dark orange splotching. Fast moving. Soft bodied. Environmentally adaptable. Average Size: Around 0.50" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

Porcellio Scaber "Orange Koi" is has an appealing variable pattern of that which resembles the koi fish. Porcellio Scaber and it's many color 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 "Orange Koi" 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.  Quick Facts Origin: Europe, but established nearly worldwide Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Porcellio Scaber Morph Name: "Orange Koi" Variable patterns of light and dark orange with cream colored accents Average Size: 0.65" to 0.75" inches  Activity level: Primarily nocturnal but does show some daytime activity Care Level: Easy

Nesodillo Archangelii "Yeti" is an albino variant of the popular "Shiro Utsuri" isopod. They are all white including the eyes! Belonging to the Nesodillo genus, they originate from Asia and various parts of the pacific region. They average just under half an inch and are semi translucent. The darker area in their center is the digestive tract. As such if they consume foods with bright colors (like carrots), the orange color will be somewhat visible as it works it's way through their body. They are an excellent beginner isopod and are very hardy if their basic requirements are maintained. 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. Yeti isopods like moisture, so a steep gradient is not needed. A small moisture gradient is fine, but a consistent lightly damp (not wet) enclosure is best. They will not fare well if allowed to get any level of dry. A round about average 75%+ humidity level without large deviations will allow them to thrive. 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. Shiro isopods enjoy food options like butternut squash, carrots, cucumbers and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food. They also show a strong feeding response to protein, 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. Lastly, ensure these isopods have a calcium source. Cuttlebone or crushed egg shells will be devoured in little time and promotes their general good health. If you're looking for something a little different than the run of the mill armadillidium or porcellio isopod types, the Yeti is an excellent choice. They're a great terrarium or vivarium clean up crew and once established can be rather prolific and reproduce quickly. Their outgoing social nature combined with their strikingly bright white coloration sets them apart from most comparable species and will provide endless entertainment for all ages who appreciate these one of a kind crustaceans. Quick Facts Origin: Various Asia and Pacific Regions Classification: Armadillidiidae > Nesodillo > Arcangelii Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some daytime activity is normal with large cultures. Difficulty: Easy