Porcellio Expansus Isopods

Expansus isopods isopods are also known as the Giant Spanish isopod in the genus, Porcellio. They originate from the North Eat of Spain and are a rare isopod in the UK invertebrate hobby.

Porcellio expansus isopods are a robust and large species of isopod. If smaller creepy crawlies aren’t your thing, these are the isopods for you. Imagine having an isopod so big that you can ‘hand walk’ it and not have to squint to see it within your terrarium or paludarium set up!

This species of isopod is well sought after in the invertebrate hobby due to their active behaviour and adaptability in bioactive enclosures. Their size and vibrant appearance make them a standout addition to any isopod collection, ideal for both beginners and experienced hobbyists.

Unlike other isopod species, you don’t have to do much to care for them to see them thrive.

This isopod can reach a whopping 3.8 cm and can live for 5 years. They have oval-shaped bodies with proper segmentation and a hard exoskeleton that protects them from predators. They are easy to keep and like temperatures between 20°C to 25°C so you need to ensure that the temperature doesn’t fluctuate much. You can use a low-wattage heat lamp or heat mat to maintain a consistent temperature. Humidity needs to be around 60-80% which can be easily achieved by carefully misting the enclosure with water. Plus, good ventilation is important; otherwise, it may get mouldy, harming your isopods

Due to their large size, a medium to large sized terrarium or container suits them best. Just make sure that it has a lid so you can avoid escapees. Whichever habitat style you choose, ensure your pods have enough space to move around. They thrive in more space with keepers being rewarded with large expansus broods to expand their isopod colony.

Once you have sourced the right sized terrarium or container to become your expansus pods forever home, it is important to create a proper habitat for them. This means creating an environment similar to their natural habitat. Since they are nocturnal creatures, they prefer to live in dark, damp places. They become more active at night, the perfect time to search for food and explore their surroundings.
These isopods are shy in nature, so you should create hiding spots inside the enclosure. You can use stones, leaf litter, and cork bark to create multiple hiding spots for these tiny creatures.

These isopods are found under moist, decaying leaf litter, logs, and rocks in the wild. Therefore, you need to provide a substrate that can retain moisture.

Substrates are one of the most important things to worry about when keeping isopods. You cannot just use any substrate mix you like. For expansus isopods, you should use a substrate that can retain moisture for a long time. This will help you regulate the humidity and temperature levels inside the enclosure.

After preparing the substrate, ensure it is at least a few inches deep so your isopods can burrow. These isopods spend much time digging into the substrate to find shelter.

They are very protein-rich hungry but do still enjoy feasting on a range of leaves, wood, vegetables, fruits, fish flakes and shrimp pellets. For calcium, you can give them a small piece of cuttlebone or powdered calcium. It is better to sprinkle the powder on their food so that it is easier for them to eat.

At postpods we love Porcellio expansus isopods, checkout the stunning Porcellio expansus orange morph we have in stock.