Amber Ducky Isopods (Cubaris sp. 'Amber Ducky') are a beautiful Thai Cubaris species that offer the charm and appeal of their famous Rubber Ducky relatives but with warmer, honey-golden tones. Their unique amber colouration - a mix of golden yellow, orange, and brown with a distinctive dark stripe - gives them an almost glowing appearance that's genuinely stunning in person.
Native to the tropical rainforests and mangrove habitats of Thailand, these isopods have adapted to warm, humid environments where they feed on decomposing organic matter among the leaf litter and fallen logs. The "Amber" name perfectly captures their colouration, which evokes fossilised tree resin.
For keepers looking to move beyond beginner species into the world of Cubaris, Amber Duckies make an excellent stepping stone. They're more forgiving than premium species like Rubber Duckies or Jupiters while still offering that distinctive Cubaris charm and appearance.
A Glimpse
Origin: Thailand (tropical rainforests and mangrove habitats)
Scientific Name: Cubaris sp. 'Amber Ducky'
Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
Size: Up to 2cm
Lifespan: 2-3 years
Temperature: 21-28°C (23-27°C optimal)
Humidity: 65-80%
Rarity: Medium
An Overview
Amber Ducky isopods belong to the Cubaris genus - a group known for their attractive colouration, slower movements, and ability to roll into a perfect ball (conglobation) when disturbed. They share characteristics with their more expensive Rubber Ducky cousins but are generally more accessible and slightly easier to keep.
Their colouration is distinctive: a warm golden-amber to honey-brown base with orange tones, typically featuring two darker (black) pereons towards the rear of the body. This gives them a beautiful gradient effect that catches the light attractively. Each individual varies slightly, but the overall warm amber tone is consistent.
Unlike some Cubaris species that can be challenging to establish, Amber Duckies are considered a good beginner Cubaris - forgiving enough for newcomers to the genus while still requiring the attention to humidity and environment that Cubaris species demand. They breed readily once conditions are right, though like most Cubaris they reproduce more slowly than Porcellio or Armadillidium species.
One notable characteristic that keepers appreciate: Amber Duckies tend to be bolder and more visible than some Cubaris species. While they're still naturally secretive, they're more likely to be seen exploring their enclosure compared to shyer relatives, making them more rewarding as display animals.
Basic Care
Amber Ducky isopods require the typical Cubaris care approach: warm temperatures, high humidity, and attention to environmental stability. They're more forgiving than premium Cubaris species but still need proper conditions to thrive.
Temperature should be maintained between 21-28°C, with 23-27°C being optimal. They originate from tropical environments and appreciate consistent warmth. Avoid temperature fluctuations where possible.
Humidity is crucial - aim for 65-80%. However, the enclosure should be moist, not wet. Too much dampness can cause moulting issues and sudden die-offs, a common problem with Cubaris species. The key is maintaining humidity while ensuring the substrate doesn't become waterlogged.
A moisture gradient works well: approximately half the enclosure kept damp while the other half stays drier. This allows the isopods to move between microclimates as needed.
Ventilation should be moderate. During normal keeping, minimal airflow helps maintain humidity. However, during breeding periods, slightly increased ventilation can be beneficial. The balance is important - too little causes stagnation and mould, too much drops humidity too rapidly.
Lighting should be kept low or indirect. These are nocturnal creatures that prefer darkness and will be most active during night hours.
Provide a deep substrate (5-7cm / 2-2.5 inches minimum) to allow for burrowing behaviour. Cubaris species, including Amber Duckies, enjoy burrowing, particularly during moulting and breeding.
Feeding
Amber Ducky isopods are detritivores with hearty appetites relative to their size. They'll consume a wide variety of decaying organic matter and benefit from a varied diet.
Primary foods (should always be available):
Decaying hardwood leaf litter (oak, beech, maple, chestnut)
Rotting white wood
Sphagnum moss
Lichens
Supplementary foods (offered regularly):
Fresh vegetables - sweet potato, carrots, courgette, squash
Fish flakes (excellent protein source)
Dried crickets or shrimp
Decaying wood pieces
Calcium supplementation is particularly important for this species - essential for healthy moulting and reproduction. Provide constant access to:
Cuttlefish bone (powdered or whole pieces)
Crushed eggshells
Calcium powder
Sprinkle powdered cuttlebone over the substrate every couple of weeks to ensure adequate calcium availability throughout the enclosure.
Protein is another important nutrient. Fish flakes are an excellent, convenient protein source that Amber Duckies readily accept.
These isopods are known as excellent cleaners and will consume almost anything organic, including the droppings of other animals in shared bioactive enclosures. This makes them valuable members of a cleanup crew.
Feed appropriately - avoid leaving excess food that could spoil and encourage mould growth in the humid environment.
Appearance and Behaviour
Amber Ducky isopods display the characteristic rounded, segmented body of Cubaris species. Adults typically reach around 2cm in length, making them a medium-sized isopod.
Their colouration is their most striking feature: a warm amber to golden-brown base with orange and honey tones. Most individuals display a distinctive dark stripe or darker segments (typically two black pereons) towards the rear of the body, creating an attractive contrast against the warm amber tones. The overall effect is almost luminous - they seem to glow with warm colour.
Their body is divided into seven segments with a hard exoskeleton. The head features two antennae. Like all Cubaris, they possess pleopods (modified hind legs) that assist with swimming, burrowing, and regulating water flow through their gills.
Behaviourally, Amber Duckies are nocturnal, doing most of their foraging and exploring during dark hours. They're natural burrowers and will dig into substrate, particularly when preparing to moult or breed.
When threatened, they can roll into a tight, complete ball (conglobation) - a defensive behaviour characteristic of the Cubaris genus. This makes handling them quite charming, as they'll curl up protectively before slowly uncurling once they feel safe.
Compared to some Cubaris species, Amber Duckies are relatively bold and active. Once established and comfortable, they'll be more visible than shyer relatives, making them rewarding display animals.
Habitat
The natural habitat of Amber Ducky isopods includes tropical rainforests and mangrove forests of Thailand - warm, humid environments with abundant decomposing organic matter.
For housing, use a plastic container with adequate ventilation holes or a glass terrarium. Thick plastic containers (such as Wham Crystal tubs with drilled ventilation holes) work well. Cover ventilation with fine mesh to prevent escapes.
Temperature: Maintain 21-28°C. Consistent warmth is important for these tropical species.
Humidity: Aim for 65-80%, achieved through a moisture gradient rather than uniformly wet conditions. Keep approximately half the enclosure damp and half drier.
Lighting: Keep low or indirect. These nocturnal isopods prefer darkness.
Substrate depth: Provide at least 5-7cm (2-2.5 inches) of substrate to allow comfortable burrowing.
Hiding spots: Include cork bark, wood pieces, and generous leaf litter for cover. These isopods prefer dark, sheltered spaces.
Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations. The enclosure should replicate the stable, warm, humid conditions of their natural tropical habitat.
Substrate Mix
The substrate is crucial for Amber Ducky isopods - it provides food, maintains humidity, and allows for essential burrowing behaviour. Quality matters here.
Recommended base mix:
Forest humus or coconut coir
Sphagnum moss (for moisture retention)
Rotting white wood pieces
Lime powder or calcium supplement mixed in
Layer on top:
Generous leaf litter (oak, beech, maple, or chestnut leaves)
Sphagnum moss patches (on the damp side)
Cork bark pieces for hides
Additional rotting wood
Below the main substrate layer, consider adding a base of cuttlefish bits and calcium powder to provide ongoing mineral supplementation as the isopods burrow.
The substrate should be kept damp but never waterlogged. Squeeze-test your substrate - it should hold together when squeezed but not drip water. Maintain moisture by occasionally adding water to the damp side, but avoid misting the entire enclosure.
Depth is important: aim for at least 5-7cm to allow comfortable burrowing. This also helps maintain stable humidity levels and creates microclimates within the enclosure.
The substrate doubles as a food source, so ensure it contains nutritious organic matter. The isopods will continuously process and consume the decomposing materials.
Breeding
Amber Ducky isopods breed readily once established in appropriate conditions. They're considered one of the easier Cubaris species to breed, making them a good choice for keepers wanting to learn Cubaris husbandry before moving to more challenging species.
Females carry fertilised eggs in a brood pouch (marsupium) on their underside. After 4-6 weeks, the eggs hatch into miniature versions of the adults called mancae. The young can be raised alongside adults without issue.
For optimal breeding success, maintain stable conditions with temperatures around 23-27°C, humidity at 65-80%, deep substrate for burrowing, adequate calcium supplementation, and regular protein in the diet.
During breeding periods, slightly increased ventilation can be beneficial, though humidity should still be maintained.
Like most Cubaris species, Amber Duckies breed more slowly than Porcellio or Armadillidium species. Patience is required - don't expect explosive population growth. However, with consistent care, colonies will steadily increase over time.
Start with a group of at least 5-10 individuals to ensure genetic diversity and increase breeding success. Mixed ages and sizes give the best foundation for a breeding colony.
