The original, unmodified P. pruinosus—natural wild-type colouration from a Caribbean locality, with all the hardiness the species is famous for.
Wild Type Guadeloupe Powdered Isopods: A Glimpse
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Origin: Guadeloupe, French Caribbean (Lesser Antilles)
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Scientific Name: Porcellionides pruinosus
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Difficulty Level: Very Easy
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Size: Up to 1.2cm
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Rarity: Low (uncommon locality)
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Temperature: 18°C to 29°C
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Humidity: 60% to 80% (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
Wild Type Guadeloupe Powdered Isopods: An Overview
While the hobby is full of selectively bred colour morphs—Powder Blue, Powder Orange, Oreo Crumble, and many others—this is Porcellionides pruinosus as nature intended. The Wild Type Guadeloupe represents the species in its natural, unmodified form, displaying the original colouration that wild populations exhibit.
These specimens originate from Guadeloupe, a French Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles. P. pruinosus is native to the Mediterranean but has become cosmopolitan, establishing populations across the world including the Caribbean. The Guadeloupe locality represents an interesting population that's adapted to tropical island conditions.
What you get with wild-type isopods is the natural colour variation that selective breeding removes. Rather than the uniform appearance of colour morphs, wild-type specimens display a range of subtle greys, browns, and muted tones—the natural camouflage colouration that's served the species well in the wild. They still show the characteristic powdery texture that defines the species, but without the vivid blues, oranges, or whites of captive-bred morphs.
For keepers interested in the species as it exists naturally, or those who prefer a more subdued, natural appearance for their bioactive setups, the wild type offers something the colour morphs can't provide: authenticity.
Wild Type Guadeloupe Powdered Isopods: Appearance
Wild-type P. pruinosus display natural camouflage colouration rather than the uniform colours of selectively bred morphs. Expect a range of earthy tones including greys, browns, and subtle muted shades. Some individuals may show hints of the bluish-grey that was developed into the Powder Blue morph, while others lean more towards brown or grey-brown tones.
Like all P. pruinosus, they have the characteristic powdery or dusty texture to their exoskeleton—the frosted appearance that becomes particularly pronounced before moulting. This powdery coating is the species' signature feature regardless of colour morph.
Adults reach approximately 1-1.2cm in length, making them a small to medium-sized isopod. They have soft bodies and cannot roll into a ball—when threatened, they rely on their considerable speed to escape.
The natural colour variation within a colony can actually be quite attractive in its own right. Rather than the uniformity of a colour morph, you'll see a range of subtle variations that creates a more natural, organic appearance.
Wild Type Guadeloupe Powdered Isopods: Basic Care
Care is identical to other P. pruinosus—this is the same hardy, adaptable species regardless of colour form.
Temperature: Room temperature works perfectly. They're comfortable from 18°C to 29°C. Their Caribbean origin means they're well-suited to slightly warmer conditions, though they're adaptable across the typical range.
Humidity: Moderate to high humidity (60-80%) suits them well. As with all P. pruinosus, create a moisture gradient with one damp area while the rest can be drier. They're forgiving of fluctuations.
Ventilation: Good ventilation is important. Small holes on multiple sides of the container prevent stagnant conditions.
Lighting: Low light preferred, though they're notably diurnal and will be active during daylight hours.
Wild Type Guadeloupe Powdered Isopods: Feeding
Feeding requirements are identical to colour morphs—P. pruinosus are enthusiastic, voracious feeders regardless of colouration.
Primary Food Sources:
- Mixed hardwood leaf litter (oak, beech, hazel—always available)
- Decaying softwood
- Rotting bark
Supplemental Foods:
- Vegetables (carrot, sweet potato, cucumber, courgette, squash)
- Fish flakes for protein
- Freeze-dried shrimp
- Occasional fruit (apple, banana—in moderation)
- Commercial isopod diets
Calcium Sources:
- Cuttlebone pieces
- Limestone chips
- Crushed eggshells
Feed supplemental foods 2-3 times weekly. Remove uneaten fresh food within 24-48 hours to prevent mould and pest attraction. Leaf litter should always be available.
Wild Type Guadeloupe Powdered Isopods: Substrate Mix
A moisture-retentive substrate works well. They're not fussy about exact composition.
A suitable mix might include:
- Organic topsoil or potting compost as a base (pesticide-free)
- Coconut coir or peat moss for moisture retention
- Sphagnum moss (especially in the moist area)
- Earthworm castings for nutrition
- Generous leaf litter as a top layer
- Limestone chips for calcium
Substrate depth of around 5-7cm is adequate. P. pruinosus are primarily surface-dwelling and don't burrow extensively.
Wild Type Guadeloupe Powdered Isopods: Enclosure Setup
A straightforward setup suits this adaptable species.
Container Size: A 3-6 litre container works well for a starter colony. Larger for bulk purchases.
Moisture Gradient: Keep one area with damp substrate or sphagnum moss while the remainder stays drier.
Hides: Cork bark pieces and leaf litter provide shelter. Simple setups work perfectly—these aren't demanding isopods.
Ventilation: Multiple small holes on alternating sides provide adequate airflow.
Security: Fast isopods require secure enclosures. Ensure lids fit properly with no gaps.
Wild Type Guadeloupe Powdered Isopods: Breeding
P. pruinosus are famously prolific breeders, and the wild type is no exception.
What to Expect:
- Rapid reproduction once established
- Large brood sizes (females can produce 30-50 offspring per cycle)
- Fast maturation—sub-adults breeding before full size
- Potentially explosive population growth
- Natural colour variation maintained in offspring
Slightly warmer temperatures (around 24-27°C) encourage faster reproduction, though they'll breed across their comfortable temperature range.
Genetics Note: Unlike colour morphs that breed true to a specific appearance, wild-type offspring will display the natural range of colour variation. This maintains the authentic wild appearance across generations.
Wild Type Guadeloupe Powdered Isopods: Behaviour
Wild-type specimens display the same characteristic P. pruinosus behaviour as colour morphs.
Typical Behaviours:
- Extremely fast—among the quickest commonly kept isopods
- Highly active, particularly during daylight hours
- Surface-dwelling, spending most time in upper substrate layers
- Voracious feeding
- Cannot roll into a ball—flee when disturbed
- Social creatures thriving in groups
Their active, surface-dwelling nature makes them highly visible despite their camouflage colouration. You'll see plenty of movement and activity in a healthy colony.
Wild Type Guadeloupe Powdered Isopods: Bioactive Use
Wild-type P. pruinosus are just as effective as cleanup crews as their colour morph cousins.
Excellent for:
- Naturalistic bioactive setups where camouflaged cleanup crews are preferred
- Tropical and humid enclosures
- Reptile and amphibian vivariums
- Display terrariums where a natural aesthetic matters
- Any setup benefiting from efficient waste processing
Advantages of Wild Type for Bioactive:
- Natural colouration blends into the environment
- Less visually intrusive than bright colour morphs
- Same prolific breeding and voracious appetites
- Authentic, natural appearance
- Soft bodies palatable to insectivorous pets
For keepers who prefer their cleanup crew to blend into the environment rather than stand out, wild-type isopods are the logical choice.
Wild Type vs Colour Morphs: Which to Choose?
Choose Wild Type if you:
- Prefer natural, authentic appearance
- Want cleanup crews that blend into the environment
- Appreciate subtle colour variation over uniformity
- Are interested in the species as it exists naturally
- Want a more naturalistic aesthetic for display setups
Choose Colour Morphs if you:
- Want visually striking, uniform colouration
- Prefer easily visible cleanup crews
- Enjoy the variety of selectively bred appearances
- Want specific colours to match enclosure aesthetics
Care requirements are identical regardless of which you choose. The difference is purely aesthetic.
Other P. pruinosus options we stock:
Who Are These Isopods For?
Wild Type Guadeloupe Powdered Isopods suit:
- Keepers who appreciate natural, authentic appearance
- Bioactive enthusiasts wanting inconspicuous cleanup crews
- Naturalistic vivarium setups
- Anyone interested in the species as it exists in the wild
- Beginners wanting hardy, forgiving isopods
- Those building large colonies economically
They might not suit:
- Those wanting bright, eye-catching colours
- Keepers who prefer uniform colony appearance
- Anyone specifically wanting high-visibility cleanup crews
The wild type offers the same bulletproof hardiness and prolific breeding as the colour morphs, just with natural appearance rather than selectively bred colours.
What's Included
Each order contains healthy Wild Type Guadeloupe specimens from our breeding stock. We include a mix of sizes to give your colony immediate breeding potential. You'll receive isopods displaying the natural colour variation typical of wild-type populations. Bulk options (20, 50, 100) are available for those establishing larger setups
