All Isopods

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

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

Cubaris Sp. Red Edge is a visually striking isopod that has a bright red/orange skirt wrapped around a dark base giving them great contrast. As with most cubaris, they are a little bit more on the needy side but also not considered advanced or extremely sensitive like many of their other cubaris cousins. If you have a firm foundation in basic isopod husbandry and success keep other beginner friendly species, then Cubaris Sp. Red Edge is an ideal first step into the world of Cubaris isopods. 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 for Red Edge is 74-82F leaning more towards the warmer end if possible. Red Edge isopods 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 65%-75% humidity level without large deviations will keep them in their comfort zone. 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. This species tends to enjoy bark flats slightly off or above the substrate so offer several hides with various levels of clearance from the substrate ranging from very close to a few inches so they can self regulate as needed. Isopods are detrivores. 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. Red Edge isopods 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 small chunks of Texas holy rock.  Cubaris Sp. Red Edge is a rewarding species to keep and will produce small to medium sized broods fairly consistently once established and a good care regimen is consistently maintained. They are most active at night and readily move about and explore their surroundings under cover of darkness. Their relative low demands combined with their visually appealing colors make them a popular choice among many keepers and hobbyist. Quick Facts Origin: Southeast Asia and Thailand Classification: Armadillidiidae > Cubaris > Cubaris Sp.  Average Size: 3/4” inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal and active at night Care Level: Intermediate

Armadillidium Versicolor Ceska originates from the Czech Republic and is noted for its colorful splotching patterns which consist of various shades or green over a dark base. They also typically have a touch of red on their hind quarters. These isopods are on the small side, but are not considered dwarfs. They are not overly difficult to keep and tend to reproduce on a steady basis once they are well established. For housing, a 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture of 12 to 25 individuals. Standard or bioactive enclosures can be enhanced with natural botanicals 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 70s F will suit them just fine. Around 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 as needed to maintain their needed ambient humidity levels. 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. A longer piece that straddles both the moist and drier area also seems to be beneficial for this species.  Isopods are detritivores. Their primary diet in nature is dried leaf litter and rotting 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 Isopods relish food options like squash, carrots, cucumbers and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy Morning Wood. They also appreciate some protein once or twice a week so offer them things like freeze dried minnows, shrimp 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 Versicolor has a few other locales in the hobby, but Ceska is considered among the most desirable with their flashy unique green hues. Their smaller size can be advantageous in some set ups, but do keep in mind they have a tendency to eat soft bodied plants. They tend to huddle in clusters underneath cork bark and other objects by day, but can easily be seen moving about at night once the lights go out.  Quick Facts Origin: Czech Republic Family Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Versicolor Average Size: Between 0.60" to 0.70" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal Difficulty: Easy

First and foremost be aware this is a DWARF isopod species. This means it's SMALL. Average adult size is about 1/4 inch or 6 to 8 mm. If you already know this obvious fact or it's not a deal breaker then read on. Spiky Pineapple Isopods are an intermediate skill level species most anyone with at least some successful isopod experience can easy keep and enjoy. As their name implies, their exterior is adorned with little spiky nubs that are in no way actually sharp or anything to be concerned about. They vary in color, mostly a washed out orange to light yellow. They are nocturnal and tend to form tight clusters underneath of cork bard or decayed wood and come out at night to feed and forage. Their spectacular appearance more than makes up for their smaller size and are a rewarding species to keep. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is beyond sufficient for a small starter culture. You don't want to start off with much bigger than this unless you are getting or already have a large number of these isopods on hand. Being dwarf isopods, if they are too spread out it will take much longer for them to find each other and start reproducing. Conversely you don't want too small either as environmental changes in a very small space happen much faster which isn't a good thing for this and most other isopod types. 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. A good temperature range is 72-78F leaning more towards the warmer end if possible. Spiky Pineapples 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 so allow for some ventilation. 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. Keeping your substrate at least 3-4 inches deep also helps retain humidity and gives them some room to burrow if things get too dry. They will simply dig down where there is more moisture until conditions on the surface are more to their liking.  Isopods are detritivores. Their primary diet in nature is dried 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. Spiky Pineapples enjoy food options like squash, carrots, cucumbers 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. Supplemental calcium is recommended as well. 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. Some cuttle bone pieces are always a welcome treat as well. Spiky Pineapples have shot up in popularity as of recent and we are happy to offer some of our quality in house specimens for your terrarium! They are not extremely difficult like some Cubaris, but they do require a little bit more upkeep and monitoring to ensure their environment stays optimal. Their pleasant contrasting colors look great in the terrarium and even though they typically not too visible at day, they do come out in force once the day light hours have ended. Quick Facts Origin: Spain. Mostly in the Iberian Peninsula region Classification: Cristarmadillidium > Cristarmadillidium Muricatum Average Size:1/4" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal Care Level: Intermediate

Porcellio Succinctus is an ultra rare hard to find XL Porcellio isopod and is among the best of the best in our isopod line up at this point in time. If an isopod can be "pretty", this one fits the bill! Full grown adults are nothing short of spectacular with their unique markings and larger than life girth. Their body size averages around an inch in length, sometimes slightly larger. But their extra long uropods and antennae can add up to another full inch, predominantly in males who are slightly larger than their female counterparts. Be strongly advised, this is an ADVANCED isopod species and is NOT recommended for beginners or newer keepers with only limited experience! They require very specific care and can perish easily if the parameters are not properly maintained. Things like large swings in temperature and/or humidity are not usually taken well with this species. Please reach out to us if you have any specific questions or need any clarification on the finer points of their care outlined below. Porcellio Succinctus hails from Spain. Primarily areas that have high concentrations of limestone, especially limestone cliffs on the Eastern seaboard. Their environmental factors in the enclosure are vital if they are to succeed as a new culture. In the wild they can be found inside of caves or in and around rocky structures and other similar formations. They are a largely dry set up isopod but like all other isopod species they do require some level of moisture to breathe and stay hydrated. Our Succinctus enclosure is 25% moist then tapering off in dryness for the remainder with the very far end being more or less bone dry. This set up type offers a sharp gradient but also some "in between" area so they can move about to the location that best suits their current needs. This factor alone can be challenging which has no one size fits all answer far as how to make your enclosure work this way because all of the variables that will affect any given enclosure will be different based on the type of enclosure, the size, the ambient climate in the location in which they are kept among others. This is an important aspect with isopod keeping in general and is all the more vital with P. Succinctus. The best way to dial your enclosure in is good old fashioned trial and error. Fine tuning the factors you can control like ventilation and and watering amount/frequency will be the key to creating a stable environment for these rather demanding isopods. Providing a thicker substrate one one side will help retain moisture longer and multiple hides throughout the different 'micro climates' in your set up should give them several options where they can best move to what suits them at any given time. Ventilation should be on the higher side to avoid stagnation, but balanced enough to where everything doesn't completely dry up in a very short period of time. For temperature, average room temps of 69-76F with a modest night drop are no problem. As mentioned earlier, avoid large sudden fluctuations with temperature and humidity as these isopods don't fare well in these conditions. Since this is a much larger isopod than the typical fare, we recommend a larger footprint to accommodate them. There is more to this than the practical statement of a bigger isopod needs a bigger enclosure. Mature males of P. Succinctus are highly territorial and if they are forced in a set up that doesn't allow modest spacing they can quickly and easily die of stress. The same applies for the females since it will be harder for them to escape "eager" males looking for attention. Providing as many hides as practical will also help minimize these conflicts. Males are easily identified by their long showing uropods and antennae while the females will be a bit smaller in size but still fantastically impressive. A minimum 10 gallon glass tank or 12qt gasket sealed sterilite bin is fine for a starter colony of 12-15 individuals. This designer isopod will eat all of thetypical food options like various vegetables, powdered isopod dietslike 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. An isopods primary diet above all is decayed wood and dried leaf litter so be sure these are always available in abundance. Small limestone chunks like Texas holy rock work well but cuttlebone is also fully acceptable to help ensure they get their calcium needs met. Lastly, it should be understood these isopods are VERY SLOW breeders. Females only have 1-2 medium size broods per year in the warmer months of summer. This fact combined with their sensitivity requiring a high level of care are the primary factors to their higher value and cost. But this is slowly changing and we are thrilled after nearly a year of hard work to be able to offer a very limited amount of this truly spectacular isopod for your collection! Quick Facts Origin: Spain Family Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Succinctus Average Size: 2+ inches with uropods and antennae Activity level: Mostly active at night Difficulty: Advanced

Porcellio Hoffmanseggi is nearly the largest land isopod that exists today. Bested in size only by it's cousin Porcellio Magnificus. Hoffmannseggi isopods are sometimes referred to as "titans" and once you've handled one it's easy to see why. Their antennae can be just as long if not longer than their body length. The standard common variety in terms of color is a light to medium gray. But this "chocolate" version is the result of a genetic mutation that slightly affects certain pigments resulting in coloration ranging from light to dark browns. The young are most often a dark brown and lighten with age. They have a nice white edged skirt giving them a pleasant visual contrast. Full grown males on average reach 1.5 inches with females only slightly smaller. With that said, they need generous space. Males can be territorial and an off balance ratio of males to females can result in fighting along with the females being "harassed" 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 ideal 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 preferred temperature range for P. Hoffmanseggi is 68-76F. Moisture gradient and ventilation is where the potential challenging aspect of this species comes into play. They do best in a drier set up than most typical isopods but still need a moist area or two to avoid desiccating. 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. Hoffs are a rewarding species to keep and never fail to impress with their sheer size. Though they are mostly hidden by day, if you look in on them after the lights have been out for a short time, you will see them fully out and about foraging for food and exploring their surroundings.  Hoffs do require a little more care and upkeep than some other types but watching your own colony of titans grow and flourish is well worth the effort! Quick Facts Origin: Spain Taxonomy: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > P. Hoffmannseggii Size: Up to 1.50 inches Activity level: Primarily nocturnal Difficulty: Intermediate

The Troglodillo isopod genus has some amazing little gems still fairly rare to the hobby at this time. These isopods are somewhat flat overall and have a face similar to the coveted Rubber Ducky adding to their appeal. Their body structure is sturdy with well defined segments. Almost like a little compact tank! Troglodillo Sp. Sunset was previously defined in taxonomy as "Cubaris Sunset Queen", but this has since been revised. T. Sunset is a fascinating isopod being largely orange in several different hues per specimen ranging in shades from bright to average. They have nice contrasting brown coloring more so evident on the rear section. The exact shades and transitions of color are variable but overall each one resembles a work of art you'll never get tired of admiring. Thankfully these not so main stream isopods are not extensively difficult to keep, but they do have a few specific needs you'll want to ensure you adhere to so they can thrive. For housing 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. 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. Sunset isopods are largely cave dwellers originating from Thailand. They need a sub tropical to tropical environment with slightly higher temps and humidity than your average isopod. High 70s to 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. A small moisture gradient with 70% moist and the remainder no less than slightly dry seems to work well for them. The soil should be mostly moist but not soggy! Just ensure neither side gets anywhere remotely close to dry. 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 environment. 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. Provide them a steady source of cuttlebone for calcium. Ours are also provided small chunks of Texas holy rock which they seem to gravitate towards since it very closely mimics the caves they frequent in their native habitat. If you are looking for an isopod that's unique, not overly difficult and has exceptional visual appeal then the Troglodillo Sunset is for you! Quick Facts Origin: Thailand Classification: Armadillidiidae > Troglodillo > Sunset Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some daytime activity is normal with large cultures. Difficulty: Intermediate

Cubaris Sp. Red Tiger is a relatively rare specimen in the hobby at this time. This interesting species is adorned with reddish orange stripes of variable patterns. It's believed this pattern is an evolved camouflage that blends in well with dark damp tree bark and forest floor debris in their natural habitat ranging across south east Asia, most notably Thailand. Red Tigers are best described as a medium level isopod in terms of care requirements and propagation. As with most cubaris, they are a little bit more on the needy side and we strongly recommend against purchasing this species unless you have a firm foundation and understanding of isopod husbandry gained from cultivating less challenging species that are fit in the beginner friendly category. A few key disclosures that are important to know if you are pressing forward. First, Red Tiger is a bit on the smaller side with adults reaching around 0.75 to 0.80 inch max. But perhaps the most vital key point you should be aware of is that this species is extremely shy and flighty. They often run away quite fast (for an isopod) when they are exposed such as when flipping over a piece of bark. As such, you should do all that is possible to avoid disturbing them as this can lead to high stress levels which leads to worse things like die off. We virtually never rummage around our breeding enclosure unless it's absolutely needed for basic husbandry. They are nocturnal and will cautiously make there way about under the cover of darkness to forage. This is the best time observe them without causing undue stress. As with any species, as population increases in a given space you will likely see them out and about more so than if you only have a small starter culture of 6 to 12. 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 for Red Tigers is 74-82F leaning more towards the warmer end if possible. Red Tigers 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 65%-75% humidity level without large deviations will keep them in their comfort zone. 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. This species tends to enjoy bark flats slightly off or above the substrate so offer several hides with various levels of clearance from the substrate ranging from very close to a few inches so they can self regulate as needed. Isopods are detrivores. Their primary diet in nature is dried 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 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'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 small chunks of Texas holy rock.  While this designer 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.   Quick Facts Origin: Southeast Asia and Thailand Classification: Armadillidiidae > Cubaris > Cubaris Sp. > Red Tiger  Average Size: 3/4" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal Care Level: Intermediate

The Armadillidium Scaberrimum Sandstone isopod is a beginner friendly species that's very adaptable to multiple climates ranging from semi-arid to borderline subtropical. Upon close inspection they have a noticeable tuberculated or bumpy carapace giving them a velvety appearance. Coloration is mostly a light beige, though some individuals also exhibit light gray hues. They tend to congregate in tight clusters under cork bark and other solid structures within their environment. They're very hardy with huge appetites and reproduce fairly easily. Being an armadillidium they can conglobate or roll up into a ball when they feel scared or threatened. They are native to Europe, most notably Greece and Croatia. 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 botanicals 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. They also do fine with average 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 dried leaf litter and rotting 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. Sandstone Isopods relish food options like squash, carrots, cucumbers and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy Morning Wood. They also appreciate some protein once or twice a week 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. Sandstone isopods are a great choice whether you need a bio-custodian or "pet" isopod. Their forgiving nature in regards to care combined with their wide climate adaptability make them an ideal choice for either role in a multitude of set ups. They aren't shy to eat when they're hungry and will quite readily swarm food items when offered. Their prolific nature once well established also makes them a potential feeder candidate for insectivorous reptiles and amphibians. Whether you're new to the isopod hobby, looking for something a little bit outside the typical or just need an option with a range of climate tolerances, the Sandstone Isopod is a fantastic addition for your enclosure! Quick Facts Origin: Greece and Croatia Family Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > Scaberrimum Average Size: Around 0.80" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

Cubaris Sp Blue Pigeon is a less common Cubaris species in the hobby and perhaps even underrated compared to it's fancy cousins like the rubber ducky and so on. They come in various shades of gray to deep blue. Mancae and juveniles tend to be beige in color taking on their full color closer to adulthood. They are fairly hardy for a cubaris and quite prolific breeders once established. They make excellent bioactive janitors breaking down waste quickly and efficiently. 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. Blue Pigeon 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. Blue Pigeons 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 Blue Pigeon is a highly 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 multiple shades or blue and gray are a nice touch and they are not extremely sensitive like many other cubaris types.   Quick Facts Origin: Various parts of Thailand and Vietnam Classification: Armadillidiidae > Cubaris > Cubaris Sp. > Blue Pigeon  Average Size: 3/4" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some day activity in larger cultures is normal. Care Level: Intermediate

Not to be confused with it's cousin Armadillidium Vulgare, this isopod does share the same genus but it's a separately classified species. It's scientific name "Nasatum" is actually derived from a rectangular protrusion on the head that resembles a nose. Hence one of the common names for this species "Nosy Isopod". This is one quick easy way to distinguish it from similar isopods. Taxonomy aside, A. Nasatum is just as easy if not easier to care for as A. Vulgare. Nastaum isopods on average can grow up to around .80 inch in length and have a slightly elongated build. You can likely find the common version in earth tone colors in your own back yard, but this version called "white out" is from years of selective breeding and they do not occur naturally in the wild. They vary slightly from individual to individual with most having a slight off white to yellow tinge. Even their eyes are white! They are semi-translucent so the color(s) of food they eat will also be evident as they are digesting it. When they are tiny babies they have little to no color and tend to stay hidden or buried in the substrate. Juveniles and sub adults are brighter and mature adults have a slightly deeper hue. Armadillidium Nasatum is a common isopod species and the one most people are referring to when the iconic term "pill bug" or "roly poly" as they can roll up into a nearly perfect ball. But Nasatum falls short of a perfect sphere which is another distinguishing difference from other comparable species. They are native to Europe, but have established themselves nearly worldwide with the help of humans and agriculture. They are a beginner friendly species and can thrive in nearly all environmental conditions ranging from semi arid to sub tropical. This makes this isopod one of the few that can can serve as a valuable clean up crew for other animals that like it more on the dry side. As always, they still need some moisture and will quickly desiccate in a zero humidity environment. It should be noted that the newborns do require a bit higher humidity and are more sensitive to drying out during this stage of their life cycle. Armadillidium Nastum 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. 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 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 pestsArmadillidium Nasatum "White Out" is a very easy species to keep and is forgiving with the learning curves of new keepers or the occasional memory lapse. The flurry of little white bodies moving around in an established culture is aesthetically pleasing and you won't always have to hunt for them to enjoy this as they are both day and night active. See our store front for many other fascinating and unique isopods! Quick Facts Origin: Northern and Southern Europe Classification: Armadillidiadae > Armadillidium > Nasatum Characteristics: Off white color. Fairly prolific. Generally outgoing and friendly. Average Size: 0.70" to 0.80" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

Porcellio Scaber "Orange" is a readily available and common isopod in the hobby. 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. There are many morphs available, but this strain is primarily orange with hues ranging from light to dark. They are soft bodied and can also be used as a feeder for many reptiles and amphibians. 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 orange is an all a multi purpose isopod. Whether you need a bioactive janitor, a feeder, or just want a species to enjoy that isn't high maintenance, they can fill every niche. They are tough, hardy and reproduce frequently once established. Quick Facts Origin: Europe Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Porcellio Scaber Characteristics: Variable shades of orange. Highly prolific. Strong feeding response. Average Size: 0.65" to 0.75" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some day activity normal in larger cultures. Difficulty: Easy

Porcellio Scaber "Skewbald Tri" is a unique isopod that has highly variable patterns and colors. Porcellio Scaber is 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 Skewbald Tri isopods appearance is actually a result of intermixing two different genetic mutations together which are calico and piebald. Porcellio scaber has a substantial amount of variants far as appearance go. But to minimize any potential confusion, it's important to note no matter what the common name is for any color morph in the hobby, the actual animal itself (porcellio scaber) is the same across all types. All of those fancy catchy names are simply ways to easily distinguish the coloration and patterns for any given specimen.          So what exactly makes a Skewball Tri isopod look the way it does? The first mixing element, piebald is a recessive gene that causes lack of pigments in random sections of the animal. Usually in a splotching manner anywhere from the head area all the way to the back. The piebald effect can range from very minimal to a complete lack of all color. Next is the calico trait which is expressed as mottling in dark spots. Mottling is not large defined dots, but rather a very high frequency of smaller dots. So when we mash these two genetic traits together we get Skubald Tri! Each and every isopod is different in it's appearance, yet they all generally display the same theme with a mix of these two traits. Some are black and gray and others are reddish orange to white and numerous shades in between. One visually appealing and satisfying aspect of this morph is that these variances to some degree are separated on the pereon (the scutes or sections you see when looking at the isopod from above). Lastly it is vital to point out that the calico gene is only expressed by females. As such, any Skubald Tri isopod that has the calico pattern is 100% female. Isopods in this group that only show the piebald appearance with no mottling are more than likely going to be males. All isopods you receive from us will exhibit a good ratio of colors and patterns along with ensuring there are both males and females included so your culture can grow. For care, porcellio scaber is very easy. 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 Skewbald Tri is just one of many color morphs of this hardy isopod. We have several others in our storefront and highly encourage you to check them out! This intriguing designer isopod is very adaptable 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 Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Porcellio Scaber Characteristics: Variable patterns and colors exhibiting both piebald and calico traits. Strong feeding response. Average Size: 0.65" to 0.75" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some day activity normal in larger cultures. Difficulty: Easy

Porcellio Scaber is a popular and highly utilized species for clean up crew in the terrarium. 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. They are soft bodied and can also be used as a feeder for many reptiles and amphibians. There are many color morphs available to suit virtually any preference.  This particular variant called "Orange Dalmatian" comes from crossing P. Scaber Orange with P. Scaber Dalmatian. The overall appearance of Orange Dalmatian is a creamy off white base, sometimes showing a subtle orange hue.The typical gray to dark gray spotting on the regular dalmatian variant is replaced with a bright and vibrant orange! Please carefully note mancae and younger individuals are usually devoid of or only show very minimal dalmatian spotting characteristics. This is normal! Their full colors and variable patterns do not fully develop until the reach the sub adult to adult stages of their lives.  A common question we often hear is "What is the difference between Orange Dalmatian and Orange Koi?" Simply stated, the Orange Dalmatian's overall color at a glance is mostly it's base color of off white. The orange spotting and flecking amounts will vary, but the base color of off white covers a much higher amount of the surface area than the orange portions. The Orange Koi version is mostly orange with various levels of off white splotching. Same as before, the patterns and distribution of orange vs. white pigmentation will vary, but with Orange Koi, orange accounts for the bulk majority of the coloration. Caring for any variant of P. Scaber is easy. 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 Orange Dalmatian is visually stunning with their bright orange spotting and flecking contrasting nicely on an off white base. They're a great all a multi purpose isopod. Whether you need a bioactive janitor, a feeder, or just want a species to enjoy that isn't high maintenance they can fill every niche from semi arid to sub tropical and look good while doing it! They are tough, hardy and reproduce frequently once established. Quick Facts Origin: Europe Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Porcellio Scaber Characteristics; Predominant off white base with various amounts of orange spotting. Highly prolific. Strong feeding response. Average Size: 0.65" to 0.75" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some day activity normal in larger cultures. Difficulty: Easy