Cohabing in relation to invertebrates is a term used to describe housing multiple species in the same enclosure together. The hobbyist exotic pet community is growing and bio active practices are evolving therefore it is totally understandable why keepers would like to create a diverse ecosystem within their own homes. Your own little piece of the wild. Imagine how wonderful it would be to gaze into your home vivarium and admire tree frogs cohabbing with crested geckos or a chameleon, then you look down to see dairy cows and rubber ducky isopods navigating through the leaves and twigs. Vivariums often house dart frogs as well, and certain isopod species—especially smaller ones like dwarf isopods—are particularly suitable for dart frog enclosures due to their non-predatory nature and compatibility. Dwarf varieties are also popular as cleanup crew in bioactive setups because of their small size and rapid reproduction.
Introduction to Isopod Care
creating a thriving, comfortable environment for a variety of isopod species. Many isopod enthusiasts are drawn to the fascinating behaviors and low-maintenance needs of these unique invertebrates. Popular choices include dwarf white isopods, powder blue isopods, and dwarf striped isopods, each bringing their own charm and activity to the enclosure. Housing multiple species together can be a rewarding way to observe different species interacting and contributing to the breakdown of organic matter, which helps keep the habitat clean and balanced.
Whether you’re interested in keeping a single species or experimenting with housing multiple species, isopods offer endless opportunities for observation and learning. Guides to successful isopod keeping often cover everything from setting up the right habitat to understanding colony dynamics and maintaining healthy populations. With their ability to add biodiversity and support bioactive setups, isopods are a fantastic addition to any home terrarium or vivarium.
Popular Isopod Species
When it comes to choosing isopods for your enclosure, several species stand out for their unique traits and popularity among keepers. Porcellio laevis is a favorite for its hardiness and active nature, making it a lively addition to any setup. Armadillidium species, known for their ability to roll into a protective ball, are prized for their peaceful temperament and adaptability. Porcellionides pruinosus, commonly known as powder blue isopods, are loved for their vibrant color and ability to thrive in a range of conditions.
Dwarf white isopods (Trichorhina tomentosa) are especially popular in bioactive enclosures due to their rapid breeding and compatibility with other species. Zebra pillbugs (Armadillidium maculatum) and dairy cows are also commonly kept, especially when their environmental needs align. When selecting isopods for cohabitation, it’s important to consider factors like size, temperament, and specific care requirements to ensure a harmonious community. Other notable species include Armadillidium vulgare (high yellow pillbug) and Porcellio magnificus, each offering their own unique appeal to isopod collections.
So, can you keep different isopod species together?
In theory, yes, you can keep different isopods together in certain setups. Is it a good idea? In our opinion, absolutely not. If you plan on cohabiting individual cultures in a small setup and maybe, if you plan to build your own bioactive setup, but this very much depends on what you plan on housing within your bioactive setup. A lot of careful planning is needed if you are considering cohabbing different isopods together. Certain species are more compatible due to their ecological roles and specific environmental needs, so understanding these factors is crucial for healthy coexistence.
However, a bioactive setup isn’t always a guaranteed way to achieve successful cohabitation. So, what could prevent cohabbing success? When keeping isopods, it's important to distinguish between keeping them as pets in dedicated enclosures and as part of a bioactive setup, as their care and compatibility can differ significantly.
The first concern that may come to mind is that the different species will breed together and hybridize. While isopods are often observed appearing to attempt to breed together, the act does not produce any offspring. Other isopods generally do not hybridize due to genetic and reproductive barriers, which helps maintain species integrity in mixed enclosures.
Just like every living thing on this planet, isopods are all different. Whether the difference is their colouration, size, behaviour or general cleaner duties, the important thing to remember is a one size fits all approach to cohabbing does not necessarily apply when it comes to isopods. Keeping isopods of the same species or within the same genus helps ensure compatibility and reduces the risk of predation, hybridization, and behavioral conflicts.
Different isopods species have different environmental needs. Some like a cooler, less humid set up and others thrive in hot and super humid conditions. Therefore you will need to consider the environmental needs of all the reptiles, invertebrates and/or amphibians you wish to cohab together. Small species are often more suitable for cohabitation with similar-sized isopods to prevent predation and ensure a balanced ecosystem.
Another consideration to be mindful of is, will they get along together? It is somewhat beneficial to have a hierarchy of predation to keep the overall population in check. It is recommended to ‘top up’ your set up with those species that may fall prey to the other inhabitants. At clean up crew level, some isopod species such as the Porcellio scaber should be avoided because they are known to actually hunt and prey on other invertebrates. Porcellio scaber are so aggressive they have been known to eliminate the ‘pests’ of the isopod species such as dwarf white isopods because Porcellio scaber will eat them. Other common Porcellio species are even more aggressive such as the Porcellio dilatatus and Porcellio laevis. Larger isopod species may pose predation risks to smaller species like dwarf whites or even dart frogs, so careful selection is necessary to prevent losses. Slightly larger isopods can also inadvertently harm smaller species, especially if there are significant size differences.
Additionally, some species of isopod are notorious breeders and will take over other culture of isopods. This is very true of Trichorhina tomentosa, or “dwarf white isopod”. Dwarf whites, despite their small size, quickly overwhelm any other species. This is a unique combination of their quick breeding behavior, their preference for burrowing, and ability to swarm food sources. Dwarf whites are prolific breeders, which can rapidly shift population dynamics and outcompete other isopods. Dwarf whites quickly eat up available protein and other such sources that larger isopods need in order to successfully reproduce. When comparing to the largest isopods in the hobby, such as Armadillidium maculatum and Porcellio scaber, these larger species have different behaviors and roles, often acting as dominant detritivores and contributing to the enclosure's ecological balance in distinct ways.
Another factor to consider is the potential for hybridization. Whilst there is no known scientific reports of two different species of isopods successfully cross breeding due to many factors such as genetics or different types of genitalia. There are some claims within the hobby of successful hybridization and certainly you may see what looks like the act of reproduction going on between different species, the chances of this producing offspring is unlikely. A big consideration from this is the male isopods can stress the female isopods out if their are differences in the isopods way of reproducing. This may result in one species aborting their eggs or die due to stress leading to a total wipe out of one colony.
For potential successes in cohabbing isopods, the Armadillidium vulgare and Armadillidium nasatum are two species that have been observed as being compatible. Many Armadillidium, in fact, live together quite peacefully but should be monitored closely. For example, rarer species like Armadillidium gestroi reproduce at a much slower rate than vulgare and may be easily overwhelmed. Nagurus cristatus is another example of a small, compatible isopod species that can thrive in bioactive vivariums due to its size and detritivore role.
One species, in particular, stands out as a particularly amicable roommate: Porcellionides pruinosus. This species has been the cause of frustration for many keepers because of its inherent wanderlust; it seems to spontaneously appear in cultures across the room.
While keeping many species together at a time may seem like a fun experience, we generally recommend avoiding it. Cohabbing is a practice that should only be done after very meticulous research and experience in keeping each species separately before housing them together. Please be careful when proceeding with this practice!
Isopod Compatibility
Choosing compatible isopod species is crucial for a peaceful and thriving enclosure. Closely related isopods or those from the same genus may sometimes hybridize or compete for resources, so careful selection is important. Some species, like Porcellio scaber and Armadillidium vulgare, are generally known to coexist well and can be housed together with minimal issues. Mixing different Armadillidium species often reduces the risk of hybridization compared to combining distantly related isopods.
However, not all combinations are successful. Porcellio scaber and Porcellionides pruinosus, for example, may have territorial disputes, while other common Porcellio species such as Porcellio dilatatus and Porcellio laevis can vary in aggression and environmental preferences. Size differences also play a significant role; larger species may inadvertently harm or prey on smaller isopods, especially during vulnerable times like molting. To prevent stress or injury, it’s best to avoid mixing isopods with significant size differences and to always consider the specific needs and behaviors of each species.
Benefits of Cohabitation
Cohabiting multiple isopod species in one enclosure can greatly enhance biodiversity and create a more efficient cleanup crew. Different isopod species often specialize in breaking down various types of organic matter, which helps boost nutrient recycling and maintain a healthy ecosystem. This approach mirrors natural environments, where diverse species interact and contribute to the balance of the habitat.
Observing the interactions between different species can be both educational and entertaining, offering unique insights into isopod behavior and social dynamics. Many keepers find that housing multiple species together is a rewarding and engaging experience. However, it’s important to thoroughly research the compatibility and specific needs of each species to ensure successful cohabitation. Rarer species, in particular, may be at risk of being outcompeted or stressed in mixed cultures, so maintaining individual cultures for these isopods may be necessary to preserve healthy populations.
Habitat Requirements
Creating the perfect habitat for your isopods starts with providing a rich, naturalistic substrate. A mix of leaf litter, rotting wood, and sphagnum moss offers both food sources and plenty of hiding spots, supporting the needs of most isopods. Supplementing with available protein and other nutrients ensures that all your isopods, as well as any cohabiting invertebrates, receive a balanced diet.
Humidity is another key factor, as different species have varying requirements. For instance, Armadillidium maculatum prefers drier conditions, while Porcellio scaber thrives in more humid environments. By creating microclimates within the enclosure, you can cater to the diverse needs of multiple species. Temperature is also important, with most isopods preferring a range between 20-25°C (68-77°F). Providing temperature gradients allows isopods to choose their preferred microclimate.
Finally, offering plenty of hiding spots and structures—such as cork bark, coconut hides, or PVC pipes—gives nocturnal isopods a sense of security and encourages natural behaviors. These environmental enrichments not only keep your isopods healthy but also make your enclosure more visually interesting and dynamic.
