Porcellio Flavomarginatus Care Guide
Housing- A standard 6 to 8 quart gasket sealed storage tote or small glass aquarium 5-10 gallons is sufficient for a small starter colony of 12-24 isopods. Provide hides such as cork bark, rotting wood slabs and leaf litter on both the damp and dry side. This allows your isopods the option to move to different areas of the enclosure that best suit their biological processes at any given time while still having the security of not being exposed in the open. These furnishings also create "micro climates" within the enclosure by adding more dimensions than just a moist and dry side which in turns facilitates a strong healthy culture.
Temperature- Average room temperature of 72F to 80F is fine for Flavomarginatus isopods. Slightly on the warmer side is better than dipping lower on the cooler side of that range. Slightly higher than average temperatures can be beneficial in terms of reproduction. They are prolific breeders once established and seem to be seasonal in those respects with most broods occurring in the spring and summer time frames. A night drop no lower than the mid to low 60sF will not do them any harm and is actually ideal as it mimics their natural environment. Carefully consider the room and location where they will placed to ensure a relatively stable temperature range. Low wattage plant seedling heat mats with a thermostat can be used for supplemental warmth at night or during colder seasons if needed.
Humidity- This species prefers a sharp moisture gradient with only a nominal area being moist. 25% on the enclosure on one side will is sufficient. The middle area can be just slightly damp, but beyond that the rest of the enclosure should be dry. They will not fair well if all of the enclosure is damp. A slightly deeper substrate depth combined with a thin layer of leaf litter on top of the moss will do well to retain humidity and reduce the frequency of watering needed to keep the moist side from drying out.
Ventilation- P. Flavomarginatus requires high ventilation. They do enjoy and utilize vertical space. A few pieces of carefully stacked cork bark make this easy and they will readily climb up at various times. This allows them to regulate their moisture needs on another level and may be a genetic factor from their home range where they are found in rocky jagged outcrops and cliffs. Air flow is the biggest factor when determining how to keep stable humidity levels. It is essential because without it, the entire enclosure can quickly get stagnant causing mold and pests like gnats and mites to appear. Too much ventilation means more frequent watering and the risk everything could dry out to the point the isopods perish. There is no one size fits all answer on how to facilitate good ventilation. Numerous factors like the ambient air temperature, where the enclosure is placed in your home, substrate depth, substrate type, top and/or cross ventilation holes along with how the enclosure is furnished are typically the biggest influencers. Making adjustments to each of these specific aspects as needed and observing the results after a day or two will help you dial in the ideal balance between humidity and air flow that suits your unique set up.
Diet- Always have an abundance of dried leaf litter and soft rotting wood as their primary diet. They will eagerly accept most any veggies like cucumbers, carrots, and squash. Commercially available isopod foods like Repashy morning wood or bug burger can be offered on a supplemental basis 2-3 times per week. Being a slightly larger porcellio, they crave a good protein source. Items like freeze dried shrimp, minnows or pellet fish food and should also be offered on a supplemental basis 1-2 times a week. Be sure to place supplemental foods on the dry side as they will spoil quickly in humid conditions.
Supplements- Crushed oyster shell, eggs shell or cuttlebone are highly recommended for calcium and can be replaced as needed. A good calcium source helps ensure easier molting, fast growth rates and optimal reproduction success for your culture.