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Tropical Grey Isopods
These Woodlice have been produced from my own cultures and are the same as I use in many of my Bioactive Builds.
They breed fast in the right environment and act as a brilliant Clean Up Crew in your Bioactive envrioment.
Keep these along side Springtails, this will help your Clean Up Crew be complete.
They grow to around 5mm in size, and have a distict grey colour.
They should kept in a damp environment, also adding a bit of heat will help them breed faster,
Dairy cow isopods (Porcellio laevis)
Quick Guide;
Dairy cows are a staple requirement for any serious bio-active enclosure. As well as being an attractive animal they're also very robust, hardy, and prolific, and will live quite happily along with springtails to create the ultimate clean-up crew for your living enclosure.
These isopods will do well in any medium to high humidity environments (60-80%), and like most arthropods they are more prolific in higher temperatures.
As with all isopods they breath using pleopodal lungs that require humidity to function - They are self regulating and will migrate to alternative areas within their enclosure to find the right levels for them. With this in mind it is a good idea to have a drier area so that they can seek out the desired level, and, of course, somewhere they can hide when they don't feel like hogging the limelight!
In their natural environment they consume a large variety of foods including dead and rotting wood and plant matter, as well as fallen fruits, dead insects and animals. In captivity they will take small amounts of fresh veg, fish flakes and fish pellets as part of their diet, and they also require some form of calcium intake, usually supplied in the form of cuttlefish bone or crushed egg shells.
Tropical Orange Isopods (Porceillo laevis)
A Stunning morph, These awesome isopods do fine at room temp but prefer the warmer temps around 25-28 degrees.
Maintain a humid enviroment of about 65-80% with regular misting.
Feed well on protein, fruits, leafy veg and cuttlefish bone.
Keep in a tight containor with good ventialion. Hides are a must for Isopods, a simple peice of corkbark works well.
magic potion” morph of Armadillidium vulgare
A Stunning morph, These awesome isopods do fine at room temp but prefer the warmer temps around 25-28 degrees.
Maintain a humid enviroment of about 65-80% with regular misting.
Feed well on protein, fruits, leafy veg and cuttlefish bone.
Keep in a tight containor with good ventialion. Hides are a must for Isopods, a simple peice of corkbark works well.
Merulanella sp. Vietnam
Merulanella sp. 'Vietnam' is a great species if provided heat for your isopods is a problem as they originate in the cooler mountainous regions of Vietnam and will happily reproduce at temperatures of 18-22C.
As they don't require too much in the way of extra heat care should be taken when watering this species to prevent overwatering. Spraying frequently and lightly is the key, much like the care of Cubaris species.
This is an average sized species at around 1.8 cm, but what they lack in size they make up in colouration with their red skirt and reddish brown dorsal, antennae and legs.
Leaf litter of diciduous trees is a welcome addition and white wood always goes down well with thise species. Provide some fresh vegetables and calcium.
Armadillidium werneri
Slightly larger than the "Clown isopod" (Armadillidium klugii), the Armadillidium werneri displays similar features and markings and the two can be easily confused with their double row of 5 white spots, werneri do not have the yellow spots as klugii display.
This is not a shy isopod and will happily surface on a regular basis, making them a very attractive addition to any enclosure. Measuring around 2-2.5 cm in length they're unmissable when they are surface active and fun to watch dragging away food to their "den".
These are social animals that like to live in temperatures around 20-27C, with a high tolerance for humidity, although, it is always wise to offer a "dry-side" to your enclosure so that they can choose their desired climate themselves.
It can be found regularly on the Greek islands, feeding on vegetation and fallen insects. Use in conjunction with springtails for an excellent clean-up crew.
Armadillidium klugii
This rare (in the wild) isopod hails from the Balkans, surprisingly, Montenegro. With wonderful colouring of black and red with markings of white and yellow colour spots has made it one of the most popular isopods in the hobby.
These are very socialable animals like most terrestrial isopods and are happy in large groups which is encourages them to breed more readily. They're not as protein hungry as other species like Porcellio laevis and much prefer decomposing broad-leaf litter (such as oak and beech), as well as fresh vegetables. Dried mealworms and calcium should also be offered from time to time to enhance their diet and provide for their chitin production.
The klugii is a reasonably sizes isopod at approximately 1.5 cm in length, and prefers mid-range temperatures of 20-25C, but will tolerate slightly higher.
As isopods require bio-active set-ups you will also want to consider introducing springtails to their enclosure to help remove any waste and uneaten foods.
Armadillidium granulatum
Armadillidium granulatum is another pill-bug type isopod that is capable of rolling into a ball if threatened or stressed.
Originating from the Iberian pennisula, the granulatum is a temperate species that will accept a wide temperature range, 20-25C is perfect for this lovely little creatures. Keeping these on the higher side of that range will encourage them to grow and breed much faster.
They're reasonably large at around 2.5 cm (1 inch) and they're very sociable with other isopods of the same species. These pods do not mix well with other species.
Their colour ranges can be from grey to brown with soft yellow spotted marking across the dorsal, making them a lovely addition to any enclosure along with springtails as a clean-up crew.
Feed lightly with fishflakes, calcium and fruit vegetables (no allum - onion, garlic etc). Remove any food left after 2 days and replace with fresh to prevent mould and fungus developing.
Porcellio scaber lava
Porcellio scaber lava is a more colourful take on the common grey and drab looking (but exciting) scaber - with its orangy-red colouration to the dorsal and skirt, this isopod is one of the least shy of all, often seen out in the open, milling around searching for food.
The parent of this morph is one of the most widespread isopods in the world and can be found in the depths of Asia, all over North America, and through the entire continent of Europe. This is truly a tough little beast and will tolerate a huge range of temperatures and humidities.
Often used as part of a clean-up crew in conjunction with springtails in terrariums and other bio-active set-ups - This isopod is the ultimate vacuum cleaner!
They will quite happily wolf down waste of other larger arthropods and reptiles, fresh fruit and vegetables, dead insects and other animal proteins and, of course, calcium for their exoskeleton.
Highly recommended for beginners and experienced keepers alike.
Did you know? The word "scaber" is Latin for rough or scabby. Not the prettiest name for this little wonder is it?
Porcellio scaber Dalmatian
Porcellio scaber 'Dalmatian' is an interestingly marked version of the scaber that is found throughout Europe and further afield. With its grey-white body frame and speckled dark spots it makes an attractive addition to any bio-active set-up.
This is one of the best 'starter' isopods in the hobby and it's great for beginners as it can tolerate a wide range of humidities and temperatures, this also makes it ideal for set-ups where others fear to tread!
They do like protein and will readily eat dead insect and animal matter if it becomes available - We like to keep this species with adult mantis (not nymphs) as they are largely ignored by the mantis but will happily eat any left overs that drop to the bottom of the enclosure keeping it clean and fresh. They will also eat fetal matter dropped by other insects and animals as a bonus.
Their diet should include calcium and fresh vegetables (remove before moulding occurs) - they will also take fish flakes and pellets.
Fantastic, attractive clean-up crew when used in conjunction with springtails.
Porcellio scaber rusty
Porcellio scaber 'rusty' is a morph of the ever hardy scaber isopod that almost single handidly started the isopod keeping hobby.
The scaber should supply you with frequent broods if conditions are adequate. It has a wide range as far as temperature, humidity and ventilation is concerned, and they will be happy providing the enclosure is not allowed to dry out completely.
Provide a damp and dry area much the same as other isopods with plenty of leaf litter from trees such as maple, oak, and beech. They will also eat fresh fruit and vegetables in their diet in small amounts that should not be allowed to mould. Using springtails will help prevent this problem.
Calcium and protein are also important in the diet of this species, fish flakes, small amounts of dead inverts such as crickets and cuttle fish shavings or calcium powder will keep your isopods healthy and happy.
Fun fact: It's Latin name in English means "rough little pig"
Porcellio bolivari
Porcellio bolivari is a fantastic looking isopod that is definitely not for beginners as they do require extra care and attention unlike many others.
Provide numerous separate hiding places (typically cork bark) for this species as it often prefers to isolate itself from the group. They prefer a slightly more dry environment (approx 40-45%) and lots of ventilation.
An ideal setting for this isopod is a damp section of the enclosure that covers no more than a quarter of the surface area, with the remaining three-quarters staying dry. Bridging the two areas with a piece of cork bark is preferable.
This species likes a wide variety in its diet, dried fish, shrimps, fishflakes, mushrooms and some fresh vegetables with high water content such as cucumber.
Important: These isopods require a copious amount of calcium - this can be provided via cuttlefish shells (bone), or calcium powder suppliments sprinkled on their food.
The bolivari may only be found on the Eastern coast of Spain in the wild.
Armadillidium granulatum
Armadillidium granulatum 'Magic potion' is another pill-bug type isopod that is capable of rolling into a ball if threatened or stressed.
Originating from the Iberian pennisula, the granulatum is a temperate species that will accept a wide temperature range, 20-25C is perfect for this lovely little creatures. Keeping these on the higher side of that range will encourage them to grow and breed much faster.
They're reasonably large at around 2.5 cm (1 inch) and they're very sociable with other isopods of the same species. These pods do not mix well with other species.
Their colour is a creamy-white with soft yellow and grey spotted marking across the dorsal, making them a lovely addition to any enclosure along with springtails as a clean-up crew.
Feed lightly with fishflakes, calcium and fruit vegetables (no allum - onion, garlic etc). Remove any food left after 2 days and replace with fresh to prevent mould and fungus developing.
Fun fact: Granulatum in English means "grain"
Cubaris sp "Panda king"
Panda Kings are a super popular isopod amongst keepers, mostly because of their striking appearance and their wider acceptance to change unlike many other Cubaris species.
In the wild they live in the limestone caves of Vietnam and is a relatively new species to the hobby, in fact, it is so new that it has still not been fully classified and goes by the scientific name of Cubaris sp. (sp. means species and that it has yet to be named!).
Panda's love their humidity on the higher side but they're also very tolerant to change and will accept fluctuations. Temperature should be around 23C+ for these, but again, they will tolerate lower temperatures for a short period of time, especially, during the night.
It is advised to have a constant supply of calcium and this can be provided in several forms, cuttlefish, limestone, or sea coral calciums are recommended, with limestone being preferred
We find that feeding with shrimp pellets and shrimp meal plus various fresh vegetables will help your colony grow much faster, and once established they will breed quite readily. Leaf litter should also be offered.
Springtails are recommended to keep alongside this species to ensure mould is controlled within your set up.
Armadillidium maculatum "Zebra Isopod"
Armadillidium maculatum is a fantastic isopod that it is less shy than most which makes them ideal for display enclosures. With vivid black and white stripes this isopod is a firm favourite with many within the hobby (including myself). Tolerant and easy to breed, they're a must, and an excellent starter species for beginners.
They are native to France so they are very accepting to a temperate climate meaning that they don't require a tropical environment to thrive. They're at their best at between 20 and 24C, but will tolerate slightly higher or lower temperatures without concern.
The species makes for a great clean-up crew and will eat a plethora of food stuff and animal waste - Provide calcium for their exoskeleton to ensure successful moults.
Did you know? There are many creatures and plants with the name maculatum and many of them have stripes. Maculatum actually means "2 spotted" in English.
Armadillidium depressum (French variant)
Armadillidium depressum is a staple if you collect isopods, its robust style and varied genetic morphs make it an attractive but sturdy addition.
Found natively around Europe and the British Isles, this particular brood hails from central France and displays a wonderful pattern along the dorsal ridges.
This is quite a large isopod with some adult individuals reachine 20mm in length.
Feeding habits consist of the usual calcium, fresh vegetables and a dried beech leaves are a favourite.
Makes for an easy to keep Armadillidium species and a reasonably prolific clean-up crew in conjunction with springtails.
Porcellio magnificus "giant orange"
Porcellio magnificus is a truly massive isopod that matches the length of the Hoffmanns seggi at approximately 3 cm. Its shear size and striking orange colouring makes it a fantastic display isopod that has not been morphed in captivity by selective breeding as the orange colouration is its natural state.
They are native to the Spanish cliffsides of Almeria, and therefor have adapted to require lower humidities than most isopods, in fact, high humidity for this species can result in a bad moult and ultimately death. Not recommended for terrariums. They are able to tolerate higher temperatures, but between 22 and 26C is best.
To ensure the correct humidity it is advised to cover 1/3rd of their enclosure with moss that should be kept damp with the remaining 2/3rds dry. Good ventilation is advised to ensure humidity does not build up to critical levels.
These animals are very territorial and require a larger enclosure to ensure they have adequate space to spread out. Females will protect their young quite violently if required, and she will make shallow burrows for them to hide in whilst they are small and guard the entrance. Substrate can be 2.5 to 4 cm deep, and a large amount of leaf litter is a good idea to give the young plenty of hiding places.
They will readily eat fish flakes and some fresh vegetables but rotting white wood and leaves from dicidious trees. i.e. oak, maple, beech, etc is also required.