All Isopods

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

Armadillo Officinalis Orange Crush originates from Sicily. They are also known as the hissing isopod though they do not actually vocalize. The sound comes from their legs rubbing on their abdomen when they're curled into a defensive ball. An evolved characteristic meant to frighten or deter predators. They're a larger sized isopod and do need a bit more space once they establish and start reproducing. Their attractive orange coloration is a result of selective breeding. Younger individuals will display various shades of bright orange and as they grow and mature, the color becomes more of a darker orange sometimes bordering red. They're easy to care for and are relatively easy to culture with good consistent upkeep. A starter group of 10-15 individuals can be kept in a small enclosure like a 6qt storage bin or small glass tank. Natural botanicals are a great way to decorate your enclosure in a way that mimics the isopods natural habitat. They are also fond of concave cork bark which they can often be found huddled up in groups. They usually don't cling to the actually wood as much as other isopods, but form very tight cluster in the substrate just below. Average room temperatures are suitable for this species. A standard moisture gradient works well but avoid things getting too dry as they are sensitive to arid conditions. If most are found burrowing deep down in the substrate this may be a sign it's too dry for their liking. Isopods have evolved to be detrivores with their primary diet being decayed organic matter. In the wild this is largely things like soft rotting wood and dried leaf litter along with any other deceased plant or animal they might stumble upon. Supplemental vegetables items like carrots, squash, potatoes and similar are readily accepted. Commercial powdered isopod diets like Repashy Morning Wood are also highly recommended. A serving or two of protein each week is appreciated and enthusiastically consumed. Fish pellets, freeze dried shrimp or minnows are just a few types these isopods will eat without hesitation. These isopods are revered for their larger size, pleasant colors and hardy nature. They are most active at night and also have the ubique ability to roll into a nearly perfect sphere. They also have exceptional lifespans being noted to live up to 8 full years! Much longer than the average 1-3 year life span of other species. They are friendly, inquisitive and a joy to keep. Worthy of a spot in any isopod collection. Quick Facts Origin: Sicily Classification: Armadillidae > Armadillo > Officinalis Average Size: 0.70" to .80" inch Care Level: Intermediate

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

Armadillidium Peraccae is an interesting and unique isopod. They are mostly various shades of gray with some being slightly beige. But as far as color goes, what makes this species unique is that some individuals when viewed just the right angle and lighting have subtle shades of blue. This is more prevalent in the lighter colored individuals, but nearly all have this trait. Their coarse tuberculated outer surface makes it appear as a mottled blue and it's quite a beautiful thing to see in an isopod! Color aside, they are also very well suited for bioactive janitor duties making quick work of decayed vegetation and or organic matter. They can also serve as feeders for insectivorous animals like frogs and lizards. Being an Armadillidium they can conglobate or roll up into a ball when they feel scared or threatened. They are native to Greece and surrounding regions so they are best suited for temperate to semi arid environments. They often huddle in tight groups under wood or bark mostly coming out at night to forage though some day activity is not uncommon either. Care is simple and more or less on par with any other common Armadillidium species. 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 around the mid 70sF will suit them just fine. A. Peraccae does best 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 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. Please also note as with most Armadillidium, this species may tend to eat live plants so consider this if they are to be used in any type of planted vivarium or terrarium. Peraccae isopods at a glance don't look special in appearance compared to many other available species. But if you take a moment to look at them in the right lighting, their blue undertones set them apart from any other run of the mill species. Their simple straight forward care combined with their prolific nature to reproduce readily make them a top tier choice if you want a simple isopod that has a desirable appearance less the typical cost of higher end species in the hobby. They are modestly day active and have a strong feeding response so you can enjoy them most any time of day or night! Quick Facts Origin: Greece Family Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > Peraccae Average Size: Around 0.70" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

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 Marbleized Isopod (Armadillidium Espanyoli) is a smaller sized armadillidum from Spain. They have an aesthetically pleasing light to dark beige coloring intermixed with a creamy off white. The patterning is unique on each individual, but all have incredible contrast likening their appearance to a modern marble counter top. Some say it conjures up thoughts of espresso and lattes! However you may interpret their appearance, the Marbleized Isopod boasts the impressive feat of taking typically bland colors and making them "pop" just as much as other brightly colored species. They are communal with large numbers of individuals often found huddling tightly together in a tight mass under cork bark or decayed wood. For housing, a 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture of 15 to 30 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 will suit them just fine. A good temperature range is 72-80F leaning more towards the warmer end if possible. A standard moisture gradient with around 30-40% of one side moist (not wet) with the remainder tapering off is adequate. Note though even the driest section should still have a nominal amount of moisture in it. They will not fare well if more than a small section of the enclosure gets too dry. 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 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. Marbleized 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. The Marbleized Isopod is not an overly difficult species to keep, but they are noted as being "slow" to start. It should also be noted they are primarily nocturnal so to truly enjoy those flashy creamy colors you will have to look in on them after daylight hours. Some moving about during the day is not uncommon once your colony has started to reproduce and shows higher density. They are a bit skittish when disturbed and move surprisingly fast for an isopod! A. Espanyoli is a fantastic Isopod worth adding to your collection or simply as a bioactive custodian in the proper environmental set up. Quick Facts Origin: Spain Family Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > Marbleized Average Size: Between 1/4" and 1/3" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Some day activity is common with larger established cultures 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

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

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

The Troglodillo isopod genus has some amazing little gems and is an all around unique isopod. They 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. Soil was previously defined in taxonomy as a "Cubaris", but this has since been revised. T. Soil is an intriguing isopod getting it's name from the various earth tone colors it displays consisting of light and dark grays along with shades of brown and a touch dark purple on some individuals. 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. To top it off they have bright white contrasting legs and antennae! 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. Soil isopods are largely cave dwellers originating from Thailand and Vietnam. 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 substrate 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. Do consider these isopods are shy and tend to stay largely hidden during daylight hours, only coming out at night to feed and forage. This is the best time to observe them as they do not enjoy being exposed and will scatter quickly if disturbed. If you're looking for an isopod that's unique, not overly difficult and can also serve as a valuable clean up crew, Troglodillo Soil is a worthy option! Quick Facts Origin: Thailand and Vietnam Classification: Armadillidiidae > Troglodillo > Soil Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal. Shy and reclusive Difficulty: Intermediate

Due to it's sensitive nature and higher value, this isopod is an exception compared to how all others are offered on our site. They come in exact 5 count quantities only and require a "Hold for Pick Up" shipping method when checking out. Overnight shipping is highly recommended for this species!   The Cubaris Sp. Lemon Blue Isopod ranks among the most coveted and desirable of isopods in the hobby today surpassed only by the Ember Bee varieties. It's deep navy blue surrounded by blazing bright yellow makes it nothing short of breath taking! Unfortunately, they can be very challenging to keep and reproduce painfully slow. This is largely why they are so rare and command such high prices. For those reasons we HIGHLY recommended that only thoroughly experienced keepers considering purchasing this isopod species. It's an investment not just in money, but also in committing to strict care regimens and maintaining them consistently which is what this isopod requires to thrive.  A known issue with this isopod is that their bright and vibrant colors can sometimes fade over time. This is caused by poor diet and inbreeding. This can be mitigated by ensuring they have a diet rich in carotene and Astaxanthin. Items like carrots, squash and sweet potatoes are a great source of carotene while Astaxanthin can be delivered in shrimp pellets and color enhancing fish food. If you're fortunate enough to see offspring at some point, that is an ideal time to find new additions from a different source as to ensure genetic diversification in your culture. All of our specimens for sale have solid vibrant colors. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium with tight fitting lid is sufficient for a small starter culture of 5-10 individuals. Standard or bioactive enclosures can be enhanced with natural botanical items to simulate the isopods habitat in the wild. This helps them feel secure which in turn promotes their natural processes like eating and breeding. These isopods are a sub tropical to tropical species so they do prefer it on the warmer side. 72F to 80F is their comfort zone. Small deviations in temperature are not detrimental, but do whatever you need based on your enclosure set up to avoid large swings in either direction as they typically will not fare well with large sudden changes. They also don't need a defined moisture gradient like most other isopods. Their native environments are warmer temperatures and higher humidity most times of the year. The soil should be mostly moist but not soggy! A very small moisture gradient in our experience has worked well. Just ensure neither side gets anywhere remotely close to dry. Our breeder tank is best described as "moist side and slightly less moist side". A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a reasonably consistent humidity. Do also provide a deeper substrate as they like to burrow sometimes. Depth should be a minimum 4-6 inches. Deeper substrates will also retain water longer so this goes hand in hand with humidity needs. Isopods are detritivores. Their primary diet in nature is leaf litter and decayed wood. Both of these should always be available in abundance. They will also happily consume any other decomposing organic plant or animal matter they come across. As such it is vital to supplement your isopods with other food sources on a semi regular basis. They enjoy food options like squash, radishes, carrots and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy. They also need some occasional protein in their diets which can be things like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, dried insects and other protein based food sources. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests. Lemon Blues are noted to be fond of limestone, mirroring the caves and rocky areas they naturally occur. Small chunks of Texas Holy Rock are readily utilized and a favorite hide out for our Lemon Blues. The Lemon Blue isopod is a slow breeder and even with the best of care will take 4-6 months on average before seeing small broods. Providing the environment they need is not hard, the challenge is keeping it consistent and not allowing parameters to swing too far in short periods of time. But if you can get them dialed in properly and maintain that, they will do well with patience and time. It's taken well over a year just to produce the limited amounts of specimens we can offer here from time to time. Quick Facts Origin: Thailand Classification: Armadillidiidae > Cubaris > Cubaris Sp. > Lemon Blue Characteristics: Deep navy blue surrounded by bright yellow. Very sensitive to environmental changes Activity Level: Primarily nocturnal and active at night. Very shy and seldom seen during daylight hours. Average Size: 0.75"  Care Level: Advanced  

Cubaris Iriomotensis Miyako, also sometimes referred to simply as the as the "Japanese Red edge" is an isopod of many names. The iriomotensis portion is largely considered incorrect because by definition it's a synonym for the much more common Cubaris Murina. A different type of Cubaris altogether. They originate from Miyako island in southern Japan so they are technically considered a locality. But at this point in time it is still common in the trade to see them described as some combination of all of the words that makes up their title as shown here. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture. These little guys are on the smaller side averaging half an inch or slightly bigger so you don't need a large enclosure to comfortable house up to a few dozen or slightly more. 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 Miyako is 72-82F leaning more towards the warmer end if possible. Miyako 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. Japanese 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 it should be no surprise Miyako island in basic terms is a very large chunk of limestone in the ocean. Small chunks of Texas holy rock or cuttle bone is a great option for this isopod.  This Cubaris is considered an intermediate level isopod and a great bridge to step up into more advanced sensitive species if you are ready for that journey. They are a bit finicky and needy, but also not extremely sensitive and prone to crashing with minor environmental deviations. They are slow breeders but will put out broods somewhat regularly if well maintained. They are most active at night and readily move about and explore their surroundings under cover of darkness. If you're lucky enough to catch them on the move their bright red/orange skirts are visually appealing lined up against their dark base color. Quick Facts Origin: Miyako Island in Southern Japan Classification: Armadillidiidae Sp. > Miyako Average Size: 1/2” inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal and active at night Care Level: Intermediate

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