Soil isopods (Cubaris sp. "Soil", formerly classified as Troglodillo) are a beginner-friendly Cubaris-type isopod with a distinctive wide, flat body and silvery highlights along the edges that give them a subtle halo-like outline. Easy-going and hardy, they're an excellent first step into the Cubaris world and a tidy cleanup crew, wanting a humid enclosure with a deep organic substrate, plenty of leaf litter, good ventilation and a source of calcium. This guide explains how to keep and breed them.
One point to clear up first, because it's a common mix-up: Soil isopods are sometimes confused with "dwarf white" isopods, but they're a different animal. Dwarf whites are Trichorhina tomentosa - tiny, all-white, and parthenogenetic (females reproducing without males). Soil isopods are a larger, flat-bodied Cubaris from China that reproduce sexually, with separate males and females, like other Cubaris. It's worth knowing, because it changes what to expect from their breeding.
About Soil Isopods
Soil isopods are a relatively rare but easy-to-keep Cubaris species, captive-bred from stock originating in China. Their appeal is their unusual look - a notably wide, flattened body edged with silvery highlights, similar in appearance to Cubaris "Purple Giant". Being one of the more forgiving Cubaris, they make a great starting point for keepers wanting to work up to more demanding species later. They're peaceful detritivores that burrow readily, doubling as a useful cleanup crew that breaks down decaying matter and recycles nutrients.
Setting Up the Enclosure
A secure, ventilated tub or terrarium with a tight-fitting lid works well. As with all Cubaris, aim for a balance between holding humidity and keeping the air fresh:
- Deep substrate. Soil isopods are burrowers, so give them a deep, moisture-retaining organic layer to dig into. A mix of organic topsoil, coconut fibre, sphagnum moss and crumbled rotting hardwood, topped with leaf litter, is ideal. Keep it moist but not waterlogged - over-saturation encourages mould. The substrate and leaf litter also form a major part of their diet.
- Ventilation. Provide air holes, ideally on more than one side, to keep the air fresh. Stagnant air is a common cause of Cubaris colony problems - aim for airflow without letting the enclosure dry out.
- Hides. Add cork bark, wood and a good covering of leaf litter and moss for cover. They're secretive and like dark, secluded spots to shelter in.
Calcium and Limestone
Like other Cubaris, Soil isopods benefit from a steady source of calcium for healthy moulting. A piece of cuttlebone, crushed eggshell or some limestone in the enclosure does the job, and many keepers find Cubaris are more settled and breed better when limestone is present. It's a small addition that makes a real difference.
Temperature and Humidity
Soil isopods are easy on this front. Aim for moderate room temperature, broadly 18-26°C, and medium-to-high humidity. In most homes they'll be happy at ambient room temperature with no extra heating; if some warmth is ever needed, a low-wattage heat source on one side (creating a gentle gradient) is far better than a heat lamp, which dries them out. The key, as with all Cubaris, is consistency - avoid sudden swings in temperature or moisture. Keep humidity up by misting with dechlorinated water as needed and maintaining a damp-to-dry gradient across the substrate, leaving a drier, ventilated end too.
Feeding
Soil isopods are detritivores, not hunters - their diet is built on decaying leaf litter and rotting wood, which should always be available. Supplement with the occasional slice of vegetable or fruit (carrot, courgette, cucumber, a little apple) and, like other Cubaris, a little protein now and then - fish flakes, dried shrimp or a specialist isopod food - which supports growth and breeding. Always keep a calcium source topped up. Offer fresh food in small amounts and remove anything uneaten after a day or two, before it moulds in the humid enclosure.
Breeding
Soil isopods are among the easier-breeding Cubaris, which is part of what makes them a good beginner choice - but it's worth setting expectations correctly. They reproduce sexually, so you need both males and females in the colony (a starter group of several individuals ensures a good mix). Unlike the parthenogenetic dwarf whites, a single isopod won't found a colony, and Cubaris in general build up more steadily than fast-breeding species like Porcellio. Patience pays off.
After mating, the female carries her fertilised eggs in a fluid-filled brood pouch (the marsupium) on her underside until they hatch into mancae - tiny, fully formed versions of the adults - which then grow through a series of moults. There's no need to separate the young; they live happily alongside the adults. The recipe for success is simply good, consistent husbandry: stable warmth and humidity, a deep substrate, leaf litter, a calcium source and minimal disturbance. Keep a single species per enclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Soil isopods the same as dwarf white isopods?
No - they're often confused, but they're different animals. Dwarf whites are Trichorhina tomentosa, tiny all-white isopods that reproduce parthenogenetically (females only). Soil isopods are a larger, flat-bodied Cubaris (formerly Troglodillo) from China that reproduce sexually, with separate males and females.
Are Soil isopods good for beginners?
Yes - they're one of the more forgiving and easy-to-keep Cubaris, which makes them a great starting point for anyone wanting to move on to more demanding Cubaris species later. They just need a humid, well-ventilated setup with deep substrate and a calcium source.
What temperature do Soil isopods need?
Moderate room temperature, broadly 18-26°C. The priority is stability rather than precise figures, so avoid sudden swings and heat lamps. Most homes provide suitable conditions without extra heating.
How do Soil isopods reproduce?
Sexually - unlike dwarf whites, they have separate males and females, so you need both in the colony to breed them. The female carries eggs in a brood pouch until they hatch into tiny young. They're among the easier Cubaris to breed, but build up more steadily than fast-breeding species.
What do Soil isopods eat?
They're detritivores that feed mainly on leaf litter and decaying hardwood, with the substrate forming part of their diet. Supplement with occasional vegetables or fruit and a little protein (such as fish flakes or dried shrimp), and always provide a calcium source.
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