A living rainbow of colour morphs from the beloved Powder isopod line—multiple varieties in one mix for maximum visual impact.
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: A Glimpse
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Origin: Mediterranean Region (captive-bred colour morphs)
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Scientific Name: Porcellionides pruinosus (mixed morphs)
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Difficulty Level: Very Easy
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Size: Up to 1.5cm
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Rarity: Low
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Temperature: 18°C to 27°C
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Humidity: 50% to 70% (moderate to high)
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Favorite Foods: Leaf litter, decaying wood, vegetables, protein supplements
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Supplements: Cuttlebone, limestone, crushed eggshells, fish flakes
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: An Overview
The Rainbow Mix is exactly what it sounds like—a curated selection of different Porcellionides pruinosus colour morphs combined into one visually striking collection. Rather than choosing a single colour, you get the full spectrum of what selective breeding has achieved with this species.
P. pruinosus is native to the Mediterranean but has become one of the most successful isopod species worldwide. The scientific name translates to "little pig covered in frost," referencing their rounded bodies and the distinctive powdery texture of their exoskeletons. Over years of captive breeding, numerous colour morphs have been developed, and this mix brings several of them together.
Your Rainbow Mix may include combinations of:
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Powder Orange – warm, vibrant orange tones ranging from pale tangerine to deep rust
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Powder Blue – the classic morph with metallic blue-grey colouration
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White Out – pale, almost ghostly white specimens
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Oreo Crumble – striking black and white piebald patterns
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Orange Cream – mottled orange and cream variations
The exact composition varies depending on current stock, but the result is always a visually diverse colony that's far more interesting to observe than a single-colour population.
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: Why Choose a Mix?
There are several reasons keepers opt for a Rainbow Mix over single-morph colonies:
Visual Interest: A multi-coloured colony is simply more engaging to watch. Different morphs scattered across your enclosure create a dynamic, varied display rather than a uniform appearance.
Genetics in Action: Since all P. pruinosus morphs can interbreed, a mixed colony lets you observe colour genetics playing out in real time. Offspring may inherit traits from both parents, creating interesting combinations and variations. Some keepers enjoy the unpredictability of what colours will emerge in subsequent generations.
Cost-Effective Variety: Rather than purchasing separate colonies of each morph, the Rainbow Mix lets you experience multiple colour forms at once for a single price point.
Excellent Value: At £6 for 10 isopods (with bulk options available), this represents outstanding value for a diverse, visually appealing starter colony.
Important Note: If you're interested in maintaining pure colour lines for breeding specific morphs, this mix isn't ideal—the morphs will interbreed freely. For pure lines, purchase single-morph colonies separately. But if you simply want an attractive, thriving colony and enjoy colour variation, the Rainbow Mix delivers.
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: Appearance
All morphs in the Rainbow Mix share the characteristic P. pruinosus body shape and texture—small, oval bodies with that distinctive powdery or velvety surface that gives the "Powder" isopods their name. This frosted appearance comes from microscopic texturing on the exoskeleton, which actually serves a functional purpose in water management.
Adults reach approximately 1-1.5cm in length, making them a small to medium-sized isopod. The body is notably soft compared to harder-shelled species like Armadillidium—they cannot roll into a ball and rely on their considerable speed to escape threats.
Colour Variations You May See:
- Blues ranging from pale grey-blue to deeper steel tones
- Oranges from soft peach to vivid tangerine
- Whites and creams
- Piebald patterns mixing dark and light
- Intermediate colours from crossbreeding
Juveniles often display bolder colours that develop a softer, more powdery sheen as they mature and moult. Watching the colour development across generations adds an extra dimension of interest to keeping a mixed colony.
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: Basic Care
Care requirements are identical regardless of colour morph—all P. pruinosus share the same needs. This is one of the most forgiving isopod species available, tolerant of a wide range of conditions.
Temperature: Room temperature suits them perfectly. They're comfortable from 18°C to 27°C, with 21-25°C being ideal. Unless your home experiences extreme temperatures, they'll be fine without supplemental heating.
Humidity: Moderate to high humidity (50-70%) works well. They appreciate moisture but are more tolerant of drier conditions than many species, provided they have access to a damp area. Create a moisture gradient with one corner kept damper than the rest.
Ventilation: Moderate ventilation through small holes prevents stagnant conditions while maintaining humidity. Good airflow helps prevent mould without excessively drying the enclosure.
Lighting: Low light preferred, though they're notably more diurnal (daytime active) than many isopod species, giving you better viewing opportunities.
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: Feeding
P. pruinosus have voracious appetites relative to their size. This hunger is what makes them such effective bioactive cleaners—they process organic matter quickly and efficiently.
Primary Food Sources:
- Mixed hardwood leaf litter (oak, beech, hazel—pesticide-free)
- Decaying softwood
- Rotting bark
Supplemental Foods:
- Vegetables (carrot, courgette, spinach, sweet potato, cucumber)
- Occasional fruit
- Fish flakes or pellets for protein
- Freeze-dried shrimp
- Commercial isopod diets
Calcium Sources: Essential for healthy moulting across all colour morphs:
- Cuttlebone pieces
- Limestone chips
- Crushed eggshells
- Calcium powder
Feed supplemental foods 2-3 times weekly, providing only what can be consumed within 24-48 hours. Their enthusiasm for food means they'll quickly descend on anything offered, but remove uneaten fresh items to prevent mould and pest attraction.
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: Substrate Mix
A moisture-retentive substrate with good structure works well. The exact composition is less critical than getting the basics right—P. pruinosus are adaptable.
A suitable mix might include:
- Coconut coir or peat moss as a moisture-retentive base
- Organic topsoil mixed through
- Sphagnum moss (especially in the moist area)
- Decaying softwood pieces
- Generous leaf litter as a top layer
- Optional: earthworm castings for additional nutrition
Substrate depth of around 5-7cm is adequate. While P. pruinosus are primarily surface-active, some substrate depth allows for shelter and moisture regulation.
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: Enclosure Setup
A straightforward setup suits this adaptable species. Nothing elaborate is required.
Container Size: A 3-6 litre container works well for a starter colony. Bulk purchases (50-100) will need larger enclosures or can be divided across multiple containers.
Moisture Gradient: Essential for all isopod keeping. Keep one area with damp sphagnum moss while the remainder stays drier. This allows individual isopods to regulate their moisture exposure.
Hides: Cork bark pieces and leaf litter provide shelter. While P. pruinosus are more visible than many species, they still appreciate hiding spots.
Ventilation: Small holes on alternating sides of the container provide adequate airflow. Secure lids are important—these are fast isopods and will exploit any escape routes.
Security Note: P. pruinosus are remarkably quick. Ensure your enclosure is secure, as they will find and exploit gaps that slower species would ignore.
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: Breeding
All P. pruinosus morphs breed prolifically, and the Rainbow Mix is no exception. Expect rapid population growth once the colony establishes.
What to Expect:
- Fast reproduction across all colour morphs
- Large brood sizes
- Sub-adults breeding before reaching full size
- Potentially explosive population growth in good conditions
- Colour variation in offspring as morphs interbreed
Genetics Note: Because all morphs in the mix are the same species, they will freely interbreed. Over generations, you may see:
- Pure-coloured offspring matching one parent
- Intermediate colours blending parental traits
- Occasional throwbacks to colours not obviously present in the parents
- Gradual shifts in colony colour composition based on which traits prove dominant
This genetic mixing is part of the appeal for many keepers—each generation brings surprises. However, if maintaining pure colour lines matters to you, keep morphs in separate colonies.
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: Behaviour
P. pruinosus are among the most active and energetic isopods commonly kept, regardless of colour morph.
Typical Behaviours:
- Extremely fast—some of the quickest isopods you'll encounter
- More diurnal than many species, active during daylight hours
- Surface-dwelling, spending most time in upper substrate layers
- Voracious feeding, often descending on food in groups
- Rapid, almost frenetic antenna movements
- Cannot roll into a ball—flee when disturbed
- Active both day and night, especially around feeding times
Their combination of daytime activity and surface-dwelling habits means you'll see plenty of your Rainbow Mix. The varied colours moving across the substrate create an engaging display that single-colour colonies can't match.
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: Bioactive Use
P. pruinosus are among the most popular and effective bioactive cleanup crew isopods, and the Rainbow Mix adds visual appeal to their functional benefits.
Excellent for:
- Tropical and humid bioactive setups
- Temperate enclosures with moderate humidity
- Reptile and amphibian vivariums
- Display terrariums where visual variety is desired
- Any setup benefiting from rapid waste processing
Why they excel as cleanup crews:
- Voracious appetites efficiently process waste, decaying matter, and mould
- Prolific breeding maintains population without intervention
- Surface-active nature means they encounter and process waste quickly
- Soft bodies are palatable if pets occasionally snack on them
- Adaptable to various enclosure conditions
The Rainbow Mix has an additional advantage in display setups—the varied colours are more visually interesting than a uniform cleanup crew, adding aesthetic value alongside practical function.
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods: Comparing to Single-Morph Colonies
Choose the Rainbow Mix if you:
- Want visual variety and colour diversity
- Enjoy watching genetics play out across generations
- Are building a bioactive setup where appearance matters
- Want to experience multiple morphs without buying separately
- Don't mind (or actively enjoy) colour mixing over time
Choose single-morph colonies if you:
- Want to maintain pure breeding lines
- Prefer uniform appearance
- Plan to sell or trade specific morphs
- Want predictable offspring colours
We also stock individual morphs including Oreo Crumble if you prefer a specific colour variant.
Who Are These Isopods For?
Rainbow Mix Powdered Isopods suit:
- Complete beginners wanting easy, visually appealing isopods
- Keepers who appreciate colour variety
- Bioactive enthusiasts wanting attractive cleanup crews
- Anyone curious about isopod colour genetics
- Those wanting maximum visual impact for their budget
- Children interested in keeping isopods (with handling supervision)
They might not suit:
- Breeders wanting to maintain pure colour lines
- Those preferring uniform colony appearance
- Keepers who want to know exactly what colours they're getting
What's Included
Each order contains a selection of healthy P. pruinosus specimens representing multiple colour morphs from our breeding stock. The exact morph composition varies based on current availability, but all orders include genuine colour variety. We include a mix of sizes to give your colony immediate breeding potential. Bulk options (20, 50, 100) are available for those establishing larger setups or wanting rapid population growth.
