All Isopods

Porcellio Ornatus Witch's Brew Is a beautifully patterned isopod. The common name "Witch's Brew" is a subtle nod to its distant cousin the "Magic Potion" Isopod (Armadillidium Vulgare). They have the same orange yellow splotching on a translucent white base. This coloring is not as pronounced on mancae and younger individuals, but will start to show with sizes from sub adult to adult. Set up and care for this species is similar to that of other large Porcellio Isopods.   Porcellio Ornatus Witch's Brew does have a few specific care requirements that set it apart from most other typical isopods. They need a sharp moisture gradient with good section of their environment with very minimal moisture to completely dry. Like any isopod, they still need a moist area to hydrate their gills, but this should not be more than 25% of the enclosure. A "middle area" where it's not damp as the moist area, but not completely dry is fine. Natural botanicals can be used not only for decorative appeal, but also to create micro climates within the enclosure to give your isopods more choices to regulate their moisture needs. Next is ventilation. It needs to be moderate to high. This can create challenges with keeping the moist area from drying out. A deeper substrate on the moist side can help with this since deeper soil will retain moisture longer. They also seem to enjoy and benefit from some extra height in the mid range and/or dry section. This is best achieved with carefully stacked medium pieces cork bark. This impressive isopod will eat all of the typical food options like various vegetables, powdered isopod diets like Repashy Morning Wood, Bug Burger and others. But like most Porcellio, they are very fond of protein based foods like freeze dried minnows, shrimp pellets, fish flakes and dried insects. Remember that isopods in their natural elements are detrivores. Their primary diet is decayed wood and dried leaf litter which should always be available. Porcellio Ornatus Witch's Brew is at this time still relatively rare in the hobby and is a highly desirable isopod to have in any collection. Ornatus is not overly difficult to keep, but a culture can quickly crash if it's care needs are neglected for more than a very short time. But, if you give them what they need consistently, they will flourish and breed readily. Check out our care guide for Porcellio Ornatus Witch's Brew that takes a closer look at specifics for successfully keeping and breeding this designer isopod. Quick Facts Origin: Spain Family Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Ornatus Morph Name: Witch's Brew Average Size: Up to 1 inch Activity level: Daytime active but primarily nocturnal Difficulty: Intermediate

Porcellio Haasi "High Yellow" are among the few terrestrial isopods that reach an impressive sizes as adults with large males reaching 1 to 1.25 inches in length. Males are easily distinguishable having much longer uropods than the females. This species is typically on the shy side and you won't see them out in the open moving about like other isopod species. But once their numbers are up they will be a bit more bold to show themselves periodically. They spend much of their times on the undersides of cork bark, rotting wood and thick leaf litter. Be aware that males are very territorial and your enclosure should have ample space along with multiple hides to minimize conflicts and stress. The bright yellow coloration of these individuals is a line bred trait selectively isolated and is a breath taking sight to see in real life. Originating from the mountainous areas of Spain, these titan sized isopods prefer a drier habitat but still need a damp area to rehydrate from time to time. Quick Facts Origin: Spain Scientific Name: Porcellio Haasi Family: Porcellionidae Morph Name: High Yellow Size: Up to 1.25 inches Activity level: Generally reclusive Difficulty: Intermediate

Porcellio Flavomarginatus is one of the crown jewels in the Porcellio family. Originating from Greece, they have a bright white serrated skirt surrounding a deep gray to black base. Most individuals will also display two rows of white dots or lines running the full length of the pereon section. This species as of now is fairly less common in the hobby. We have spent at least a full year growing our robust culture to what it is now and they are an absolutely fascinating isopod worth adding to your collection! Interesting abstract fact, the translation of their scientific name is "Yellow Bordered Woodlouse" which obviously conflicts with their actual appearance as there is no yellow.  Porcellio Flavomarginatus does have a few specific care requirements that set it apart from most other isopods. They need a sharp moisture gradient with good section of their environment completely dry. Like any isopod, they still need a moist area to hydrate their gills, but this should not be more than 25% of the enclosure. Next is air flow. It needs to be moderate to high. This can create challenges with keeping the moist area from drying out. A deeper moist side substrate can help with this since deeper soil will retain moisture longer. They also seem to enjoy and benefit from some extra height in the mid range and/or dry section. This is best achieved with carefully stacked medium pieces of cork bark. This unique isopod will eat all of the typical food options like various vegetables, powdered isopod diets like Repashy Morning Wood or Bug Burger. But like most Porcellio, they are very fond of protein based foods like freeze dried minnows, shrimp pellets, fish flakes and dried insects.  Unfortunately (in our experience) and perhaps the reason they are less common is that they are unforgiving in these needs and a culture will quickly crash if these aspects are neglected for more than a very short time. But, if you give them what they need consistently, they will flourish and breed readily. If you are interested but still uncertain fear not! We have a thorough Porcellio Flavomarginatus Care Guide that delves into the nitty gritty details you will need to master this rare and rewarding species! Quick Facts Origin: Greece and a handful of Turkish islands bordering Greece Family Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Flavomarginatus Morph Name: N/A, this NOT the Crete Morph Average Size: Up to 0.75 inches Activity level: Daytime active and adventurous Difficulty: Intermediate

Armadillidium Klugii "Pudding" is another popular color morph in the Klugii family that originates from the Montenegro locale. It distinguishes itself from it's other counterparts by lacking the red skirt on it's sides. The base color ranges from light to dark brown and the classic 3 rows of spots that run down their segments can be yellow, white or a mix of both. These colorful clown isopods have a somewhat shy disposition but will become more bold as numbers increase. Clown isopods are possibly the most readily accessible and widely affordable isopods available in the hobby that have bright, vivid variable coloring that rivals some of the more exotic and high priced isopods like those in the Merulanella family. Their fun almost clown like polka dot spotting along with their endearing nature makes them a must have for any collection.  Average room temperature will suit them just fine but they are noted to thrive better 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. However, they greatly 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. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Klugii "Pudding" which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this interesting isopod species! Quick Facts Origin: Mediterranean areas including India, and central to north Africa  Scientific Name: Armadillidium Klugii Morph Name: Pudding Characteristics: A mutation of the Montenegro line that lacks the red skirt Size: Around 0.5 inch on average Activity level: Generally reclusive but more bold with high numbers

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