Isopods are an evolutionary marvel in terms of what they can survive on. Nutritional values of isopods demonstrates their importance beyond survival, including their role in the ecosystem as natural recyclers. Like so many small critters in nature, they feed on the detritus of other living things. Moving through their world helping clean up the mess left by animals, plants, and everything else.
It’s tempting to think that they might have simple digestion, or are very specialised feeders. But amazingly they have many, if not more, of the enzymes that we and other omnivores possess. This means they can digest a whole heap of things. In the wild, their diet consists primarily of dead leaves and decaying plant and animal material.
Even more importantly they can tell what’s good for them from a distance. Chemical receptors allow them to judge if a foodstuff is worth the journey without leaving their hiding spot.
Whilst kitchen scraps should never be the bulk of your isopods diet, there are plenty of things that are a great addition to their diet. Dead leaves and decaying plant matter form the backbone of their natural diet.
Can all isopods eat everything?
No, it’s worth doing your research before adding anything new to your isopods diet. Most isopods have similar dietary requirements, but some species may have unique needs. With the huge numbers of isopods in the hobby, and more appearing each year, there will be small variations.
There are a couple of things you can do. One is to look for research into the diet of that particular species or look for what might be available in its natural environment. Dietary requirements in captivity should be compared to those in the wild to ensure proper nutrition. A tropical cave-dwelling isopod will have a different diet than a temperate grassland species.
Oats, grains and flour
Be careful of adding too much of anything, but think of grains as being the seeds that they would come across in the wild, but packed full of nutrients. Be aware that some will have been dried so you might need to rehydrate them.
A common mistake is feeding isopods nuts, as nuts are difficult for isopods to digest and lack essential nutrients. Avoiding this mistake is important for maintaining healthy isopods.
An added issue is that some grains are treated with preservatives, so you can either look for organic brands or put a small amount to one side to see if it goes mouldy in a reasonable period of time.
Oats are one of the easiest to get hold of and can be fed to isopods as part of a varied diet.
Fruit
There are a fair few fruits that isopods will enjoy in their diet, but one to consider is the humble tomato. Apples are a popular fruit to offer isopods as a nutritious snack, providing vitamins and minerals that support their health. Make sure they’re ripe, and only give them a tiny amount as they will go mouldy in most vivariums after a few days. But these are a fantastic source of the harder-to-get vitamins and minerals that might be missing from their leaf litter-based diet. In terms of fruits, there is something in terms of eating the rainbow. Make sure that you give a variety of colours throughout the year. This means that they will get a variety of micronutrients. Fruits like apples can be given as occasional treats to diversify their diet and enhance their well-being.
Mushrooms
A decomposer themselves in the wild, there is often a huge overlap between isopods and mushrooms. Isopods consume a variety of fungi, including mushrooms, as part of their natural diet. High humidity locations, caves, forest floors in piles of decaying wood and leaf litter, you can see how an isopod would come across mushrooms in the wild.
Depending on the set up you could even grow mushrooms in the enclosure as an interesting alternative to plants, and as a part of an isopod's diet. Or grow mushrooms for yourself and use the spent compost as a part of your isopods diet.
Yeast
Generally, I'd look at brewers or nutritional yeast, it's a tiny foodstuff, but it's bursting with protein, vitamins, and minerals. When I say brewers yeast I don't mean Marmite. You'll need to buy the actual yeast.
You can also grow the yeast on to give you a never-ending source. But don't forget that the by-products can include alcohol, so be careful.
If you have a sourdough starter then that can be something to consider. A tiny amount of starter can give your isopods a whole load of extra nutrition.
Spirulina
If you're like me you might have half a packet tucked at the back of the cupboard. It was all the rage for a bit, great to add a superfood kick to your smoothie. A tiny bit of this algae can do wonders for your isopods.
Root vegetables
Root vegetables are a fantastic way to add variety and essential nutrients to your isopods’ diet. Isopods eat a range of root vegetables, with carrots, sweet potatoes, and even cucumbers being popular choices among isopod owners. These vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals that support the health and vitality of your isopods, making them a healthy addition to their regular meals. Dairy Cow isopods, in particular, thrive on a balanced diet that includes the occasional treat of root vegetables.
When preparing root vegetables for your isopods, always wash and peel them to remove any potential pesticides or contaminants. You can offer small pieces as treats or mix them into their main diet to provide a boost of nutrients. Keep in mind that different isopod species may have their own preferences, so it’s a good idea to observe which vegetables your isopods enjoy most and adjust their diet accordingly. By rotating root vegetables and monitoring your pets, you’ll help ensure they receive a diverse and balanced mix of nutrients for optimal health.
Food preparation and storage
Proper food preparation and storage are key to keeping your isopods healthy and their enclosure clean. Isopod owners should store food items like fish food, fish flakes, and dried shrimp in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage. Leaf litter and decaying fruits, which are staples in many isopod diets, should be kept in a cool, dry place and replaced regularly to avoid mold and ensure your isopods always have access to nutritious food.
When handling food items, always wash your hands before and after to minimize the risk of contamination and protect both your isopods and yourself from harmful bacteria. Using a dedicated food dish or container in the enclosure is a convenient option that helps keep the feeding area organized and makes it easier to monitor how much your isopods are eating. Regularly check and clean the dish to prevent the buildup of mold or decaying food, which can pose a health risk to your pets. By following these simple food preparation and storage tips, you’ll help maintain a balanced diet and a healthy environment for your isopods.
Root vegtables
Sweet potato, carrots, turnip and so many root veg are available, and a carefully washed slip of peel could be a good addition to your isopods diet.
Be careful
Foods such as vegetables, and especially fruit are packed with sugar, generally a moist food, and teeming with bacteria in a good way. Isopods benefit from a protein meal, such as worms or insects, once a week to support their nutritional needs. But this all means that it can go mouldy, and will attract fruit flies and more. It’s important to remove the food before this happens. If the isopods are taking a few days to start to eat the food it might be worth cooking it a tiny bit to help start breaking down the structure. Some foods, including protein sources like mealworms and insects, have been tested for safety and efficacy in isopod diets.
