Should isopods be kept in the dark?

A question we get asked a lot is should isopods be kept in the dark?

No, although many will wait till things are dark to come out. Some isopods are nocturnal, which means that they come out to feed during the night, others are crepuscular meaning they're out and about during evenings and early mornings.

Why are you keeping isopods?

 There are a whole load of reasons to keep isopods, from clean up crew for reptiles, or amphibians. Maybe something to help improve the health of the soil in a planted terrarium, or as pets themselves.

Isopods as a part of a clean-up crew

 Assuming you’re keeping some form of reptile or amphibian they will already have various forms of light, including UV and heat. That might present its own issues with the heat from the lights reducing the humidity in the enclosure. Some species of reptiles do better in ultra-bright lights, so that might mean you need to look at isopods that you will see out and about during the day St Lucia Isopods, Gestroi Isopods and Snow White Isopods. If you add in places where the isopods can go and hide, these places may be more humid leading to normally outgoing isopods hiding out in these shady spots. In that case, see if you can mist a little more often and raise the humidity.

Planted terrariums

 

In the natural ranges of many of the house plants we keep the soil is made up of layers of leaf litter that gradually decompose to create a fertile healthy soil. Part of the reason many people consider soil to be overused is the lack of this natural decay cycle. Isopods play a huge part in breaking down leaf litter and creating humus, which makes them a great natural fertiliser and soil component. The leaf litter acts as a mulch to stop the soil and the roots from drying out, and isopods will outcompete many of the unwanted pests that might make themselves at home amongst your plants.

In this case, the plants will need light,  these lights don't need to be as drying as a heat lamp in a reptile's enclosure but it’s still worth ensuring the isopods have somewhere to hide, although many will make use of the leaf litter itself to do that. Consider adding some cork bark and maybe add an epiphyte to the top to tie it into the planted aesthetic.

Isopods as pets

 Isopods make great pets themselves. If you're looking for the perfect children's pet these might be it. Cheap to feed, they don't outgrow their enclosures like fish often do, they don't live for decades in the way many reptiles do, they don't need walking, or vet bills, and they won't pee on the floor. Even better if the kids lose interest then add some plants to a pretty vintage glass terrarium and let them loose in there, and they will be the perfect low-maintenance pets.

 If you are the one that wants to keep them as a pet then there are plenty of species that are happier to come out in the light. Spend that bit extra and get something that bit more unusual. They have a bit more of a learning curve but Porcellio Werneri Isopods also known as spacepods make great display animals.

 If you are keeping them on their own then they don’t need any special lighting at all, but it’s well worth getting some so that you can enjoy them. A simple rechargeable LED light can be enough to light up a small enclosure. Some even come with timers to give a regular day and night cycle.  

Isopods for sale

 Buying isopods is as simple as clicking here to go to our shop. Each listing will give you most of the information you need, or feel free to drop us a message either here (link to contact form) or on our social media (link to which ever socials you find easiest to chat on)