All Isopods

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

Armadillo Officinalis Orange Crush Isopod $3.00

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

Troglodillo Sp. Sunset $9.00

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

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Porcellio Expansus "Orange" $18.00

Porcellio Expansus is one of the largest species in the hobby today. They're actually the largest in terms of width with their oversized expanded serrated skirt. They can reach lengths averaging between 1 to 1.4 inches! Their striking coloration, larger than average size and almost alien like appearance make them a highly desirable addition to any collection. The orange version as shown here was selectively isolated and line bred to enhance this appealing genetic trait. Porcellio Expansus like most other titan isopods is endemic to the mountainous regions of Spain. 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. Despite the seemingly almost universal consensus that all titan isopods need a very dry set up, we have found this is not entirely accurate for Expansus. Inside of caves and such is higher humidity, but in the right spots there is also ample and plentiful ventilation and this is one of the larger needs this isopod must have to thrive. There is no one size fits all answer as how to provider this 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 are just a few that will require fine tuning to fit your exact circumstances. 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. Just avoid letting the air inside the enclosure stagnate while keeping a close eye on the moisture level so they don't dry out and expire. For temperature, average room temps of 69-78F with a modest night drop are no problem. Avoid large sudden fluctuations as these isopods don't fare well in these conditions either. A minimum 10 gallon glass tank or 12qt gasket sealed sterilite bin is highly recommended for a starter colony of 12-15 individuals. Since this is a much larger isopod than the typical fare, we recommend this larger footprint to accommodate them. 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. There is more to this than the practical statement of a bigger isopod needs a bigger enclosure. Mature males of P. Expansus 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 which should also be a top priority because P. Expansus has been known to cannibalize to some degree if food and space are minimum. Males are easily identified by their long showing uropods while the females will be a bit small in size with smaller uropods. 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. They enjoy food options like squash, radishes, carrots and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy Morning Wood. This designer isopod will eat these and all of the typical food options. But like most Porcellio, they are very fond of protein based foods like freeze dried minnows, shrimp pellets, fish flakes and dried insects. Porcellio Expansus is likely a "goal" for any isopod keeper who enjoys all of the different species and their unique characteristics. There are certainly few that even qualify as similar in terms of looks to this amazing creature. If you have more than minimal experience with isopod keeping and have a solid grasp on their husbandry along with the many variations of it needed for different types, P. Expansus may just be the next exciting step in your journey! Quick Facts Origin: North Eastern Spain Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Expansus Characteristics: Medium to bright oranges accented with random white splotching along the pereon. Large in size, especially width. Average Size: Around 1.2 inches at adult size Activity level: Primarily nocturnal and active at night Difficulty: Advanced

Cubaris Sp. Blue Pigeon $4.00

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

Armadillidium Vulgare "Punta Cana" $1.75

Armadillidium Vulgare Punta Cana are a specific locale of isopods from the Dominican Republic. They are characterized by their largely caramel and earthy color tones. These colors come in many types including gold, orange, brown, gray and many shades in between. Individuals can also have splotching, stripes or speckles. Armadillidium Vulgare is a common isopod in the hobby these days and within the same class most people are referring to with the iconic term "pill bug" or "roly poly" since this species can conglobate or roll up into a ball. They are a beginner friendly species being fairly flexible in their needs and tolerant of a variety of environmental conditions. Armadillidium Vulgrare is a relatively outgoing isopod that can be seen exploring and moving about their enclosure at various times both day and night. A small or starter colony may be more reclusive, but if well cared for it won't take long for them to multiply and be more bold to move around in daylight. 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. Vulgare Punta Cana prefers a temperate climate with good ventilation. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely devoid of some moisture. They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. Isopods are detritivores. Their primary diet in nature is leaf litter and decayed wood. Both of these should always be available in abundance. They will also happily consume any other decomposing organic plant or animal matter they come across. As such it is vital to supplement your isopods with other food sources on a semi regular basis. They enjoy food options like squash, radishes, carrots and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy. They also need some occasional protein in their diets which can be things like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, dried insects and other protein based food sources. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests. Please also note as with most Armadillidium, this species has a reputation for eating live plants so consider this if they are to be used in any type of planted vivarium or terrarium. Punta Cana isopods make an excellent clean up crew and offer a wide range of natural colors. They are easy to care for and a pleasure to watch as they scurry about and forage for food. Their fairly adaptable nature makes them ideal for a variety of enclosures from semi arid to temperate. If you're new to isopods or just want something that has numerous colors and patterns instead of one consistent theme, this is the isopod for you! Visit our store front to see our fantastic selection of isopods! Rare or common, chances are we have it. Quick Facts Origin: Europe and Asia Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > A. Vulgare Characteristics: Variable colors mostly caramel base with some random striping and splotching Average Size: 1/2" to 3/4" inch Activity level: Active both day and night Difficulty: Easy

Porcellio Ornatus Witch's Brew $7.00

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

Armadillidium Gestroi Zinger $2.75

Armadillidium Gestroi is a large robust isopod and is among the handful that are pleasantly daytime active. Zingers are a color morph of the common Gestroi variety that take on more of a monochrome look with the yellow spots being replaced with an off white color. Some individuals may have very faint traces of yellow in their spots. Care and all details for this unique isopod are the same as the standard variety. They're easy to keep and make an aesthetically pleasing display isopod. This fascinating isopod is a bit of a tank, but the average 6 quart or small glass aquarium is fine for a starter culture amount of 12-20 individuals. Just know you will likely be needing to upgrade or make other plans sooner than later once they start producing offspring. Average room temperature is fine for this species. A. Gestroi prefers a temperate environment, but slightly higher on the moist side. Good ventilation is key with this species as you do not want a completely semi tropical enclosure. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely lacking some level of moisture. Isopods are detrivores. Their primary diet is dried leaf litter and soft decayed wood which should always be available in abundance. They also enjoy veggies like squash, carrots, radishes and similar. These can be added on a supplemental basis a few times a week. Other supplemental options such as commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy are also devoured without hesitation. Armadillidium Gestroi isopods also need some protein in their diets. Options like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, fish flakes and other protein based food sources work well. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests. Zinger is a fantastic isopod for beginners. It is not extremely sensitive and fairly tolerable to typical new keeper mistakes and learning curves. They will reproduce readily once established and is an all around rewarding species for any collection. See our full care guide for Armadillidium Gestroi which has comprehensive expanded details for all care aspects of this showy isopod species! Quick Facts Origin: France and Italy Family Classification: Armadillidiidae > Armadillidium > Gestroi Size: Average is around 0.75 inches with large adults reaching 0.80+ inches Activity level: Generally outgoing and daytime active Difficulty: Easy

Cubaris Sp. Snow Bee $12.00

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

Cylisticus Convexus Ukraine Pied Isopod $1.75

Cylisticus Convexus originates from Europe but now can be found on nearly every major continent with human habitation. They're a very adaptable species able to thrive in a multitude of climates ranging from semi arid to semi tropical. They're sometimes referred to as the "Curly Isopod" or "Teardrop Isopod" due to the fact when they roll into the classic defensive ball, it's only does so partially creating more of an oval shape than a sphere like many other isopod species. This particular type dubbed the "Ukraine Pied", originates from individuals collected in Ukraine showing the black and white dalmatian pattern. These original specimens were then further refined with selective breeding as to have a visually appealing amount of contrast. This isopod is on par with the well known powder blue or powder orange in terms of overall general care. They are a very easy species to keep and can become quite prolific once well established. They tend to burrow into the substrate to some degree so some additional depth is of benefit. They are nocturnal and will quickly scurry to hide or burrow if exposed to bright lighting. But they are truly enjoyable to observe at night as they will come out in force with no reservations moving all about their enclosure foraging and searching for food. A 6 quart gasket sealed storage bin or small glass aquarium is sufficient for a small starter culture. Standard or bioactive enclosures can be enhanced with natural botanical items to simulate the isopods habitat in the wild. This helps them feel secure which in turn promotes their natural processes like eating and breeding. Average room temperature in the low to mid 70sF will suit them just fine. Around one half to one third of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side. This species will do fine in almost any type of environmental set up so long as it isn't completely over saturated or too arid with little to no moisture. We find an average moisture gradient works well with this species. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. Isopods are detritivores. Their primary diet in nature is leaf litter and decayed wood. Both of these should always be available in abundance. They will also happily consume any other decomposing organic plant or animal matter they come across. As such it is vital to supplement your isopods with other food sources on a semi regular basis. They enjoy food options like squash, radishes, carrots and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy. Ukraine Pied isopods are fond of protein in their diets which can be things like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, dried insects and other protein based food sources. They do have an impressive feeding response when offered such items. Almost like a swarm of piranhas, they will cluster all over the food source and devour it quickly. But this is mostly only at night or in low light settings. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pestsCylisticus Convexus Ukraine Pied is a great choice for clean up crew in a wide variety of environmental enclosure types. They are very good and quickly breaking down any type of decaying plant or organic materials. They're also a great first isopod if you're new to the hobby. Just know they aren't the best display type unless you are a night person as well. They won't be seen much during the daylight hours. So long as you ensure they don't dry out and offer them a reasonable amount of supplemental food items, they will multiply and flourish without any needed extended efforts on your behalf. Quick Facts Origin: Ukraine Taxonomy: Cylisticidae > Cylisticus > Cylisticus Convexus Average Size: 0.50" inch to 0.60" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal Difficulty: Easy

Cubaris Sp. Red Tiger $8.00

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

Porcellio Spatulatus $6.00

Porcellio Spatulatus is one of the largest Porcellio isopods in the hobby. Not in length but in width. As the name implies, they have a very thin vertical profile, but in contrast have a large wide skirt with attractive serrated edging. Like other large Porcellio, they do best with a mostly dry set up, but still need an area of moisture to re-hydrate. They have a laid back disposition and do not scatter to hide quite as much as other species. They are largely hidden by day, but will beout in force during night hours exploring their enclosure and foraging for food. The young are somewhat brownish to tan with adults being light to dark gray in appearance. Porcellio Spatulatus originate from the Sardinia Islands off the coast of Italy in areas that have steep and vertical cliffs in many areas. As such they need high airflow to mimic their natural environment. An enclosure that offers some extra vertical space is ideal such as a 5-10 gallon glass tank. Carefully stacked cork bark and decayed wood will meet this need and be appreciated by this species. No more than 25% of the enclosure should be damp. This can create challenges with keeping the moist area from drying out. A deeper substrate in this area can help with this since deeper soil will retain moisture longer. This highly sought after isopod will eat all of the typical food options like various vegetables, powdered isopod diets like Repashy Morning Wood or Bug Burger. But like most Porcellio, they are very fond of protein based foods like freeze dried minnows, shrimp pellets, fish flakes and dried insects. Unfortunately (in our experience) and perhaps the reason they are less common is that they are unforgiving in these needs and a culture will quickly crash if these aspects are neglected for more than a very short time. But, if you give them what they need consistently, they will flourish and breed readily. Quick Facts Origin: Sardinia Islands and surrounding area near Italy Classification: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Ornatus Characteristics: Porcellionidae > Porcellio > Spatulatus Average Size: Up to 0.8" inch Activity level: Primarily nocturnal Difficulty: Intermediate

Armadillidium Nasatum “White Out" $2.00

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

Armadillidium Granulatum $1.75

Armadillidium Granulatum, is among the largest in the Armadilidium genus capable of reaching sizes of up to 0.75 inch. Rivaling that of A. Gestroi. They actually are quite similar to A. Gestroi but with a few key differences. They have a matte finish look on their pereon and pleon vs having a glossy finish. A. Granulatum's yellow markings are also not quite as bright and vibrant as A. Gestrio. Please do note A. Granulatum's yellow spotting varies from individual to individual. Some have quite striking yellow markings and some are more subdued. Some will have yellow markings that are only faint and minimal. This is normal for the species. A close up view with a magnifying glass will show they have small raised bumps along their backside giving them a somewhat rough texture. This feature gives them another common which is the "Granulated Isopod". Armadillidium Granulatum is a common isopod in the hobby these days and within the same class most people are referring to with the iconic term "pill bug" or "roly poly" since this species can conglobate or roll up into a ball. They are native to most of Europe, and Northern Africa as well. They are a beginner friendly species being fairly flexible in their needs and tolerant of a variety of environmental conditions. Armadillidium Granulatum is a relatively outgoing isopod when present in high numbers that can be seen exploring and moving about their enclosure at various times. A small or starter colony may be more reclusive, but if well cared for it won't take long to see babies and watch your isopod culture grow. 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. A. Granulatum prefers a temperate climate with good ventilation. Around one third to half of the enclosure should have damp (not wet) sphagnum moss with the remainder being a bit on the dry side, but not completely devoid of some moisture.They will often migrate between moist and dry areas at different times of the day. A few pieces of cork bark strategically placed over some of the moist side will help retain the humidity levels and reduce the frequency of watering needed to maintain a proper moisture gradient. Isopods are detritivores. Their primary diet in nature is leaf litter and decayed wood. Both of these should always be available in abundance. They will also happily consume any other decomposing organic plant or animal matter they come across. As such it is vital to supplement your isopods with other food sources on a semi regular basis. They enjoy food options like squash, radishes, carrots and other veggies along with commercial isopod powdered food like Repashy. They also need some occasional protein in their diets which can be things like freeze dried minnows, shrimp, fish pellets, dried insects and other protein based food sources. Be sure to feed these on the drier side as they can spoil quickly in humid environments and attract unwanted pests. All considered Armadillidium Granulatum is a great choice if you're just getting into isopods or just want some diversification to your collection. They can be a great tool for teaching in the classroom or a general display enclosure once your colony grows beyond minimal numbers. Their forgiving nature in care needs means they won't be high maintenance and disasters are likely not be an issue long as they aren't neglected for an extended period of time. Their variable yellow markings and larger size are desirable features not commonly found in many comparable species. Check out our store front to see our entire selection of unique and amazing isopoids!

Porcellio Flavomarginatus $9.00

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

Armadillidium Vulgare "Tangerine" $2.50

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

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