Porcellio hoffmannseggii "White Antenna" is a striking morph of the Titan isopod, distinguished by its bright white antennae contrasting against the typical grey body with white skirting. Like all hoffmannseggii, these are large, robust isopods reaching 3-4cm, native to the Mediterranean regions of Spain. They prefer drier conditions than most isopods and display notable territorial behaviour, particularly among males. The White Antenna morph adds visual interest to an already impressive species, making them popular with collectors seeking something distinctive.
A Glimpse
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Origin: Spain (Mediterranean region)
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Scientific Name: Porcellio hoffmannseggii "White Antenna"
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Maintenance required: Medium
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Average Size: 3-4 cm
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Rarity: Medium
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Lifespan: 2-3 years
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Temperature: 18-26°C (65-80°F)
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Ventilation: High
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Humidity: 30-50% (drier than most species)
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Favorite food: Decaying hardwood, vegetables, protein sources
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Supplements: Cuttlefish bone, crushed limestone, eggshells
Porcellio hoffmannseggii White Antenna: Introduction
Porcellio hoffmannseggii, commonly called Titan isopods, are among the largest terrestrial isopods kept in the hobby. The "White Antenna" morph retains the impressive size and hardiness of the species while adding a distinctive feature—bright white antennae that stand out prominently against their darker body colouration.
Native to Mediterranean Spain, hoffmannseggii naturally inhabit rocky, arid environments quite different from the humid forest floors preferred by many isopod species. This gives them care requirements that run counter to typical isopod husbandry—they actually prefer conditions that would stress humidity-loving species.
The White Antenna trait breeds true when the morph is kept separate from other hoffmannseggii variants. If you're maintaining this morph for its distinctive appearance, avoid mixing with standard grey or orange morphs, as the offspring will be unpredictable.
Porcellio hoffmannseggii White Antenna: Physical Traits and Characteristics
- Adults reach 3-4 cm in length—substantial for terrestrial isopods
- Grey body colouration with characteristic white skirting along the edges
- Distinctive bright white antennae (the defining trait of this morph)
- Robust, heavily built body
- Hard, segmented exoskeleton
- Cannot fully conglobate—body shape prevents complete rolling
- Males tend to be broader and more heavily built than females
- Uropods (tail sections) differ between sexes—males have longer uropods
The white antennae create genuine visual contrast, particularly when the isopods are active and their antennae are prominently displayed while exploring.
Behaviour
Porcellio hoffmannseggii display distinctive behavioural traits that set them apart from many commonly kept isopods.
Territorial nature: Males are notably territorial and will actively chase off other males. This isn't subtle posturing—they can be genuinely aggressive with each other. Adequate space and multiple hiding spots are essential to prevent constant conflict. Females are considerably more tolerant of each other.
Activity patterns: Primarily nocturnal but will venture out during the day once established. Their size makes them easier to observe than smaller species.
Colony dynamics: Unlike species that form dense, peaceful colonies, hoffmannseggii maintain personal space. Juveniles tend to establish their own territories as they mature. This means colonies spread out rather than clustering tightly together.
Maternal behaviour: Females show protective behaviour toward offspring, guarding them through their first two moults. This extended maternal care is notable among Porcellio species.
Temperament: While territorial with their own kind, they're not aggressive toward keepers. They may attempt to flee when handled but won't bite or cause harm.
Diet
Porcellio hoffmannseggii have hearty appetites and slightly different preferences compared to many isopods.
Primary foods:
- Decaying hardwood (preferred over leaf litter—they genuinely favour rotting wood)
- Dried leaf litter as supplementary material
- Cork bark
Supplementary foods:
- Vegetables: carrot, courgette, sweet potato, squash
- Occasional fruits in moderation
- Fish flakes or dried shrimp for protein
- Dried mushrooms
Protein requirements: Higher than many isopod species. Regular protein supplementation supports growth, moulting, and breeding. Fish flakes, dried shrimp, and similar protein sources should be offered regularly, not just occasionally.
Calcium: Essential for healthy moulting. Their large size means significant calcium demands. Provide cuttlefish bone, crushed limestone, crushed oyster shell, or calcium powder as a constant supplement.
Feeding approach: Despite their size, they don't consume enormous quantities. Offer amounts they can finish to avoid food waste and potential mould issues. Remove uneaten fresh foods within 24-48 hours.
Porcellio hoffmannseggii White Antenna: Breeding
Breeding hoffmannseggii is straightforward once conditions are right, though their territorial nature requires management.
Sexing: Males and females can be distinguished by their uropods (the tail sections). Males have noticeably longer uropods than females. Males also tend to be broader and more robust.
Breeding requirements:
- Stable temperature within preferred range (18-26°C)
- Appropriate humidity gradient (30-50% with moisture access)
- Good ventilation
- Adequate space to reduce territorial stress
- Sufficient protein and calcium for gravid females
Brood characteristics: Average brood sizes when conditions are stable. Females carry developing young in their marsupium and release fully formed juveniles.
Maternal care: Females protect offspring through their first two moults—longer parental investment than many isopod species show.
Colony management: Their territorial nature means growing colonies need space. As populations increase, consider dividing colonies or providing larger enclosures. Overcrowding leads to stress and aggression, particularly among males.
Maintaining the morph: To preserve the White Antenna trait, keep this morph separate from other hoffmannseggii variants. Mixed populations will produce offspring with unpredictable antenna colouration.
Porcellio hoffmannseggii White Antenna: Habitat Setup
Getting the enclosure right means understanding their preference for drier, well-ventilated conditions.
Enclosure: A well-ventilated container or terrarium. Minimum 15 litres for a starter colony, larger for established groups. Given their territorial nature, more space reduces conflict. Cross-ventilation is important—multiple ventilation points work better than a single mesh lid.
Substrate: Use a substrate suited to their drier requirements:
- Organic topsoil as a base (pesticide-free)
- Sphagnum peat moss mixed in sparingly
- Sand for improved drainage
- Crushed limestone or calcium powder throughout
- Leaf litter layer on top
- Decaying hardwood pieces (essential—they prefer wood over leaves)
Substrate depth of at least 5cm allows burrowing. They're fond of digging, so provide enough depth for this behaviour.
Humidity gradient: This is critical for hoffmannseggii. They need access to moisture but prefer predominantly dry conditions:
- Keep approximately 25% of the enclosure moist (a corner with damp sphagnum moss)
- Keep the remaining 75% dry
- Overall humidity 30-50%
- Allow them to self-regulate by moving between zones
A common mistake is keeping the entire enclosure too moist. These isopods come from arid Mediterranean environments—uniform high humidity causes problems.
Ventilation: High ventilation is essential. Good airflow prevents humidity building up and keeps conditions within their preferred dry range. Multiple ventilation holes or mesh sections on different sides create cross-ventilation.
Décor and hides: Given their territorial behaviour, provide multiple separate hiding spots:
- Cork bark pieces and tubes
- Flat bark sections
- Wood pieces in various sizes
- Hardwood pieces (which also serve as food)
- Scattered hides throughout the enclosure
Space hides so individuals can establish territories without constant confrontation.
Temperature: 18-26°C (65-80°F). They're not tolerant of temperature extremes—avoid both cold snaps and excessive heat. Room temperature in most UK homes works well, but monitor during very hot or cold weather.
Bioactive Use
Porcellio hoffmannseggii White Antenna can function in bioactive setups suited to their requirements.
Best suited for:
- Arid or semi-arid bioactive enclosures
- Mediterranean-style vivariums
- Enclosures for desert-dwelling reptiles
- Setups where visible, impressive cleanup crew is desired
Advantages:
- Large size makes them genuinely visible
- Thrive in dry conditions that stress humidity-loving species
- Effective decomposers
- Impressive appearance adds interest to displays
Considerations:
- Territorial behaviour means they need adequate space
- Not suitable for high-humidity tropical setups
- Their drier requirements limit compatible enclosure types
- Higher value than standard cleanup crew species
Less ideal for:
- Tropical or high-humidity bioactive setups
- Small enclosures without adequate space
- Situations requiring dense, peaceful colonies
Suitability
Porcellio hoffmannseggii White Antenna suit intermediate keepers wanting an impressive, distinctive species.
Good choice for:
- Keepers wanting large, visible isopods with distinctive features
- Those maintaining arid or semi-arid setups
- Collectors seeking hoffmannseggii morphs
- Bioactive setups for desert-dwelling reptiles
- Keepers with some experience ready to manage territorial species
Not ideal for:
- Complete beginners (start with hardier, less territorial species)
- High-humidity tropical setups
- Small enclosures without adequate space
- Those wanting dense, peaceful colonies
Care level: Medium difficulty. They're not finicky about parameters within their preferred range, but their dry requirements run counter to typical isopod husbandry advice. Keepers accustomed to humidity-loving species need to resist the urge to keep things too moist. Their territorial nature also requires more space and management than peaceful species.
Compared to other hoffmannseggii morphs: Care requirements are identical to standard grey and orange morphs. The choice between morphs is purely aesthetic. If keeping multiple morphs, maintain separate colonies to preserve each variant's distinctive appearance.
Expectations: Expect impressive, watchable isopods that behave differently from peaceful colony species. Their territorial interactions add behavioural interest but mean colonies look different from the tight clusters seen with species like P. scaber. Growth and breeding are steady rather than explosive.
