They’re not unless you’re talking about buying them per gram and comparing that to a horse, then yes they are.
But that aside, unlike horses, dogs, cats, parrots, and even fish, isopods are pretty much a one-time purchase. There are little ongoing food costs, the enclosures don’t have to be hugely expensive, they don’t need fancy lighting, there are no vet bills, and if you get things right they will breed and there will be more isopods. However, certain guys—especially rare or in-demand species—can command much higher price points depending on their rarity, breeding speed, and market demand, even though the benefits of keeping isopods still make them excellent value compared to many other pets.
Rare and expensive isopods
Take our most expensive isopods. Lemon Blue isopods. These are between £15 and £17.50 each, although we don’t sell them singularly, and don’t forget we always add 20% extra, so for £300 we will send you out 24 isopods. Lemon Blue and Dairy Cow isopods are actually different color morphs that often belong to the same species, so their care requirements generally apply across both lines. If you are an experienced keeper then you can set things up and hopefully, soon enough they will be breeding well enough that you will be able to see a return on your investment.
Now these are pretty rare as isopods go, need specialist care, and like many species that have recently entered the hobby we have had to spend a lot of time getting their care just right so they will breed for us in captivity. When setting up for breeding, it’s important to allow your isopods time to establish their populations before expecting significant breeding results, and following a complete guide to breeding pet isopods can help you set realistic expectations and optimise conditions. They are slower to breed than many other species, so all that work we’ve put in has still resulted in fewer babies than if you looked at Dairy Cow isopods. Certain species tend to breed more slowly or quickly, which directly affects their availability and price. Successful breeding in captivity also requires careful attention to enclosure conditions to ensure healthy colonies.
That’s not an indication of how much isopods in general cost though, especially when you follow a straightforward beginners guide to isopods as pets that shows how affordable they can be overall. Dairy Cows are an amazing species to keep, breed readily, and are just as much fun to own. At the time of writing this, you can get 200 Dairy Cow Isopods for £30. That’s far from expensive. All from our own quality captive-bred stock.
The cheapest pet to own?
Compare this to fish. Guppys are probably one of the cheapest fish to own. You can buy 10 Guppys online for about £30 or £35, They will have been bred cheaply in either Singapore if you’re lucky, or in a pond elsewhere in the tropics. About 30% of all of those cheaply bred Guppys will have a parasite burden that can be transmitted to your other fish. You will need to buy a large fish tank, they will require fish food, filtration, heating, water changes, using dechlorinator, and more heating. They will breed, but from poor quality, hormone-enhanced parents the fry will be of ever-decreasing quality.
A good quality pair of Guppy’s will set you back £15-£30+.
At the other end of the spectrum are discus, arrowana, stingrays, and the ultra-rare fish that command the highest prices. Is £20 000 for a fish expensive? Yes, it is. But compare that to a horse and things start to look cheaper.
The price of purchasing an animal is often the least of the costs. With isopods, especially species that will thrive on leaf litter in an unheated enclosure, that can be 90% of the costs, making them one of the cheapest pets to keep over their lifespan. There is a remarkable diversity of isopod species available to hobbyists, ranging from those suited to temperate environments to others that prefer tropical conditions, depending on their origin. Isopods, along with other insects and microfauna, play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy habitat, and their presence is highly beneficial for keeping the environment balanced and clean.
What do I need to keep isopods?
We could go very cheap, but you still want to be able to enjoy keeping the isopods, so I’m going to assume you are starting from scratch. Any small enclosure will do, from a stunning vintage terrarium, through to a small fish tank, a vivarium, or even a plastic box. You can look on marketplace, or head to a car boot sale.
If you choose a species that will thrive at room temperature, such as Porcellionides Isopods or Porcellio Isopods then you don’t need to worry about heating or light.
Now you will need a substrate for them, ideally something that will hold moisture, and if you pick species suited to typical indoor conditions you can keep isopods at room temperature without extra heating costs. https://postpods.co.uk/blogs/isopods-useful-articles/isopod-substrate and leaf litter. You can collect your own leaf litter to feed your isopods, or other stuff like small branches and bark from natural sources or around your home, you will just need to do a bit of research into safe species to feed to your isopods, and make sure the leaf litter hasn’t got any pesticides or similar on them.
What else is needed? Some wood for them to climb on and hide under, and eventually eat, and depending on the species you will need to add some other things to their diet, but they are small and have small appetites to match, so there won’t be any great cost there. If you prefer not to buy captive-bred stock initially, you might also look into collecting isopods from the wild to breed in captivity, always doing so responsibly and within local regulations.
Many keepers prefer to set up vivariums or other enclosures that support healthy microfauna populations, taking responsibility for maintaining the habitat and ensuring the well-being of their isopods.
Nutrition and diet: what do isopods eat and why does it matter?
Isopods are nature’s cleanup crew, thriving as detritivores that break down organic waste and keep ecosystems ticking along smoothly. In your terrarium or vivarium, these little creatures are hard at work munching on leaf litter, fallen leaves, and other organic matter, turning what would be waste into valuable nutrients for your setup. This isn’t just good for the isopods—it’s essential for the health of all your inhabitants, from dart frogs to reptiles, and even the microfauna like springtails that share the space.
When it comes to feeding isopods, leaf litter is the gold standard, forming the core of a natural isopod diet and what isopods eat. It’s packed with the organic matter they crave and helps mimic the natural environment they’d find in the wild. Supplementing with bits of wood, decaying plant material, and the occasional insect keeps their diet varied and supports healthy growth, especially if you follow advice on maintaining a healthy diet for your isopods with the right balance of calcium and other nutrients. Just be careful with protein-rich foods like fish flakes—while it might seem like a treat, too much protein can throw off the balance in your bioactive setups, encouraging unwanted microorganisms and making things less pleasant for everyone involved, so it’s worth understanding specialist diets for isopods beyond leaf litter before you experiment too much.
Certain species, especially rare or expensive isopods like Trichorhina tomentosa, may have more specific dietary needs. Breeders and hobbyists who want to sell isopods or start breeding new species need to pay close attention to these requirements. Providing the right food and environmental conditions—think a small enclosure with a moisture-retaining substrate, steady humidity, and the right temperatures—can make all the difference in establishing a thriving colony.
For those looking to breed isopods, getting the diet right is key to seeing your population grow, and avoiding common beginner errors highlighted in a beginner’s perspective on keeping isopods will make success much more likely. A healthy, well-fed colony will reproduce steadily, making it easier to maintain or even sell offspring to other hobbyists. And while some morphs and rare species can be pricey, especially when they’re new to the hobby or tricky to breed, the long run rewards are worth it. Not only do you get to watch these fascinating creatures at work, but you also help promote biodiversity and keep your vivarium or terrarium in top shape.
So, whether you’re a seasoned breeder or just starting out, don’t forget: feeding isopods the right mix of leaf litter, wood, and organic matter is the foundation for a healthy, happy colony. It’s a small investment that pays off in a cleaner, more balanced environment—and a lot of fun for any fan of these remarkable little animals.
Are isopods really that expensive?
No, they can be one of the cheapest pets to keep, so go on, splurge a bit on a more exciting species, these are great for beginners Porcellio Isopods or maybe Trachelipus Isopods. That way you can sleep easy knowing you have a pet that isn't going to cost you a fortune, has a wonderfully low carbon footprint, and won't need taking for a walk in the morning. Enjoy.
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