There are some isopods that I hope will always be popular in the hobby. They are the ones that bring so many of us joy, be it because of their colours, or their behaviours. But I thought this time I’d look through my own collection and look at some of the rarer species that you may not have thought about keeping.
Cubaris Sp. Salmon Isopods
Hailing from the Carribean island of Martinque these have all the visual appeal of cubaris sp but with the added layer of an ever changing colour. Starting out as a soft salmon colour these isopods darken in colour as they get older.
They’re surprisingly easy to keep, unlike some Cubaris sp. That can be a little more tricky.
Red Edge Isopods (Cubaris sp.)
Another Cubaris species with a cure appeal, Red Edge has a deep colour for most of their body, and that striking red edge. They are prolific breeders for a cubaris species, although they do require warmer more humid environment than many other isopod species.
Camouflage Isopods (Troglodillo Rotondatus)
So often overlooked as they’re not as flashy as some other species, these are a more challenge, and in their own way rewarding, species. A seasonal breeder so if you get the environment right you will see your colony increasing.
Their native range stretches across China, and they will happily eat a wide variety of foods. Infact it is something I would recommend to make sure they have a broad diet.
Trachelipus Caucasius
I wasn’t sure if these deserved a place on a list of rarer species as in the wild they are found in a variety of areas around the Black Sea. But they’re not as popular as many species of isopod so that earned them a place.
A dark black body with an orange or red trim they are a nice looking isopod. In the wild they have less of the red and orange, but some careful selective breeding has given us nice examples of the species that give you the eye-catching appeal of many of the species we keep and sell.
Armadillidium Ruffoi
We couldn’t have a list like this without including an Armadillidium species, and ruffoi suits the bill. That bit more unusual, they are originally from the mountains of Northern Italy, and do need a bit more effort to allow them to thrive. They are much slower to breed that the easier species, great if you don’t want to have too many isopods, or you enjoy a breeding challenge. Requiring a more humid enclosure and a more varied diet are the main two challenges, but as with most species thesea re easy enough to overcome. To make up for it their carpice is almost artistic in looks, with various colours in a delicate contrast.