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Discover the rare beauty of our exceptional Oniscus Asellus Occidentalis! These magnificent "Skirted Woodlice" represent one of the most genetically distinct and geographically restricted subspecies in the European isopod world. Smaller, more colorful, and more highly arched than their common cousins, these Atlantic relicts showcase stunning metallic flecks across their distinctive skirted bodies. Perfect for collectors seeking something truly special and scientifically significant in their bioactive setups. Oniscus Asellus Occidentalis: A Glimpse Origin: Southwestern England, Wales, Ireland, Western France Scientific Name: Oniscus asellus ssp. occidentalis Common Names: Western Skirted Woodlouse, Atlantic Woodlouse Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium Size: Up to 16 millimeters (smaller than nominate subspecies) Rarity: Very Rare (geographically restricted) Temperature: 59°F to 77°F Humidity: 60% to 75% Favourite Foods: Decaying leaves, rotting wood, organic vegetables, protein supplements An Overview Originally discovered in the far western reaches of Europe, Oniscus asellus occidentalis represents a fascinating example of ancient genetic divergence and geographic isolation. This remarkable subspecies has evolved separately from the common Oniscus asellus for millennia, developing into a smaller, more colorful, and more highly arched form that has captured the attention of both scientists and hobbyists alike. What sets these occidentalis specimens apart is their stunning visual appeal and unique body structure. Unlike their widespread relatives, these Atlantic relicts display more vibrant coloration with distinctive metallic flecks that seem to shimmer across their characteristic "skirted" exoskeleton. Their more pronounced arch and compact build give them an elegant, almost prehistoric appearance that must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. These genetic treasures represent an ancient Atlantic lineage, largely restricted to damp woodlands where they have persisted as relict populations since before the last ice age. Their natural rarity and restricted distribution make them incredibly valuable to serious collectors and researchers studying evolutionary biology and biogeography. Habitat Requirements Substrate Mix: 35% high-quality coco coir 30% composted leaf litter (deciduous mix preferred) 20% sphagnum moss for moisture retention 10% rotting white wood pieces 5% forest soil or earthworm castings Create a moisture gradient with approximately half the enclosure maintained moist while allowing good drainage. These subspecies prefer the damper conditions typical of their Atlantic woodland origins. Basic Care Enclosure Setup: Minimum 10-gallon container for small colonies (5-8 individuals) Excellent ventilation with multiple air holes Deep substrate layer (4-5 inches) to accommodate their burrowing tendencies Cork bark flats and natural wood hiding spots Thick layer of mixed leaf litter throughout Moss patches for microclimate creation Shallow water dish in the humid zone Environmental Conditions: Maintain temperature between 59°F to 77°F (they prefer cooler conditions) Keep humidity between 60% to 75% Provide natural lighting cycle Ensure excellent airflow to prevent stagnation Monitor regularly as they can be somewhat shy initially These easy-care isopods are surprisingly hardy and adaptable despite their rarity. They become more active when kept in larger groups and appreciate the cooler, more humid conditions that reflect their Atlantic woodland origins. Feeding Primary Diet: Mixed deciduous leaf litter (their primary nutrition source) Rotting white wood pieces (essential for gut health) Fresh organic vegetables (carrot, sweet potato, cucumber) Forest moss and lichen when available Decaying organic matter of all types Essential Supplements: Protein sources twice weekly (fish food, freeze-dried shrimp) Calcium sources (cuttlebone, eggshells, limestone) Occasional treats (fruits, specialized isopod foods) Shed skin from reptiles and invertebrates Feeding Schedule: Feed 2-3 times per week with varied offerings. These isopods have hearty appetites and are not particularly picky eaters, showing average feeding response to most organic materials. Always ensure abundant leaf litter is available as their staple food source. Breeding Information Oniscus asellus occidentalis are moderate breeders that establish reliable colonies once settled into their environment. Their reproduction rate is fair but not exceptionally fast, making colony establishment a patient process. Breeding Requirements: Stable, cool temperatures (65-70°F optimal) Consistent moisture levels with good drainage Abundant hiding spots for gravid females Rich substrate with diverse organic matter Minimal disturbance during breeding seasons Adequate space for colony expansion Females carry their young in brood pouches until well-developed, releasing miniature versions of adults that grow steadily under optimal conditions. The species reaches maturity in 8-12 months, and established colonies can persist for many years with proper care. Scientific & Conservation Value These subspecies represent far more than just attractive isopods - they're living pieces of evolutionary history. The occidentalis subspecies is considered a relict Atlantic taxon, meaning it represents an ancient lineage that has survived in isolated pockets while the main species spread across Europe. Conservation Considerations: Threatened by habitat fragmentation in the wild At risk from hybridization with common O. asellus asellus Represents unique genetic diversity requiring preservation Limited to specific damp woodland habitats Important for understanding European biogeography Perfect for: Advanced collectors seeking rare subspecies Educational displays demonstrating subspecific variation Bioactive setups requiring efficient decomposers Research projects studying genetic diversity Enthusiasts passionate about European fauna Scientific Significance: The distinction between occidentalis and the nominate subspecies was confirmed through molecular studies showing ancient genetic divergence. Males can be definitively identified by their forked first endopod tip (simple in regular asellus), making this subspecies particularly valuable for taxonomic studies and genetic research. Whether you're a serious collector fascinated by rare European fauna or a researcher interested in evolutionary biology, our Oniscus asellus occidentalis represent an unparalleled opportunity to work with one of Europe's most scientifically significant isopod subspecies. These Atlantic treasures bring ancient genetic heritage and stunning beauty to the most discerning collections, showcasing the incredible diversity hidden within even familiar species!

You won’t realize the depth of the world of crustaceans unless you dive down, and it is dominated by the extensive variety of isopods living in different corners of the world. While the physical features are not distinct, the same cannot be said about their coloration as it depends on various factors like genetics, diet, substrate, and environmental conditions. If you are looking for a colourful species, Oniscus Casellus Orange Isopods is a good choice because of their vibrant orange shade and beautiful appearance that most keepers like. Also, they make a great addition to any isopod collection you have in your home and want to expand. Oniscus Casellus Orange Isopods: A Glimpse Origin: British Columbia, Canada Scientific Name: Oniscus asellus Difficulty: Easy Rarity: Not rare Temperature: 18-25°C Size: Up to 16 mm Humidity: 50-70% Favorable Foods: Leaf litter, rotting wood, fruits, vegetables, eggshells, fungi, dead crickets.  An Overview Originating from British Columbia, Canada, Oniscus Casellus Orange isopods are a colorful species unique because of their bright orange bodies and hardy exoskeletons, which protect them from predators in the wild. They grow up to 16 mm and are easy to maintain as they have minimal requirements and care needs, which is usually not the case with other isopods. Even better, they are not rare and are easily found in the pet trade, or where they sell isopods, so you don’t have to search a lot to have them in your collection. Oniscus Casellus Orange Isopods: Basic Care Here are some essential care tips for your isopods: Adaptable in nature, Oniscus Casellus Orange isopods has a tendency of tolerating a range of temperatures as long as it is between 18-25°C and don’t swing much. Also, they are made with robust physical appearance and strength.  Maintaining the humidity between 50-70% without not making it excessively wet to avoid mold growth or shedding issues. You can use a plastic tub to ensure good ventilation so your isopods enjoy smooth airflow and do not have trouble breathing. Since Oniscus Casellus Orange isopods are shy creatures, add plenty of leaf litter or cork flats, so they have enough hiding spots within the enclosure. Oniscus Casellus Orange Isopods: Feeding As they have in-built hunting tendency and feed on a large variety of things, like leaf litter, rotting wood, mushrooms, dead insects, and fungi that are available easily in the wild. However, they also need calcium sources like eggshells and cuttlebone to have a stronger exoskeleton and protect themselves from predators. To make their diet more appetizing, add fresh fruits and vegetables, but not too frequently, as it can cause health problems. Oniscus Casellus Orange Isopods: Appearance & Behaviour Oniscus Casellus Orange Isopods’s striking orange feature sets them apart from their brown or grey relatives of the same genus. Although more active at night, they also move around during the day if they feel safe and have no predators to attack them. They are not aggressive and prefer to live in groups, so you see them piling together under moist bark or leaf litter. Oniscus Casellus Orange Isopods: Habitat Setting up a comfortable home is essential to owning isopods, regardless of the species or difficulty level. You can use a simple 5 to 10-litre plastic container and add moist and dry zones so your isopods can live and breed happily without struggling for survival. Since they thrive in a forest-floor-like environment, they cannot tolerate bright lights and strong airflow, so you need to remember these things before getting them. Oniscus Casellus Orange Isopods: Substrate Mix Your isopods spend most of their time on or under the substrate, so you must get this part right and not mess it up to cause problems. A good substrate mix contains coconut fiber, peat moss, leaf litter, and rotting wood chunks because they are good at retaining moisture and don’t let the environment dry even hours after misting the terrarium. Just stir the substrate occasionally so it stays fresh for a long time and prevents mold or pests from destroying the setup.

Phoenix Isopods have their origin in Vietnam. Their name is based on their appearance. They exhibit the colour variations of red, black and yellow, which are predominant in the mythical bird phoenix. They are considered a superb display species. They are extremely rare to find. Once they are established in the enclosure, they can easily be bred. Care needs to be taken regarding the enclosure, as these species are more active than most other species of isopods. Key Points Origin: Vietnam Scientific Name: Merulanells sp. Phoenix Difficulty Level: Easy Size: 2CM Max. Rarity: Extremely Rare Temperature: 18-24˚C Humidity Level: Medium Preferred Foods: Leaf litter, decayed wood, cuttlefish bone, limestone, etc. An Overview Phoenix Isopods are a highly colourful species of isopods. The hard exoskeleton provides both protection and aesthetic appeal to these isopods. The colouration of the exoskeleton makes them a significant choice for the enclosures. They are a highly active category of species. They need large spaces within the enclosures to move around. They have a very similar appearance to that of Merulanella tricolor isopods. But they are different in several aspects. The original climate these species are accustomed to is tropical. Hence, they require moisture and plenty of ventilation to survive in an enclosure. They can tolerate humid environments easily. Care should be taken because their temperatures should stay high enough and stay cool. Phoenix isopods are extremely rare to find. Hence, they are a species of isopods in demand by several collectors. Once established in a vivarium, they breed comparatively similar to most other species of isopods. The general pattern followed by merulanella isopods for feeding must also be followed for Phoenix isopods. Hence, decaying wood and leaf litter forms the basic diet for these isopods. Cuttlefish bone, fish food, limestone, etc., can act as supplements to improve their growth. Phoenix Isopods: Basic Care Phoenix Isopods can be taken care of through the following points: The tropical origin of Phoenix isopods allows them to survive in hot environments. They can also withstand some amount of coldness. Isopods coming from tropical environments require moisture to stay close to their origins. Phoenix isopods require a solid enclosure, and they are extremely rare to find. Hence, they are an advanced species for seasoned collectors. Their breeding capability is at par with most other species of isopods. Due to their tropical origins, Phoenix isopods require a great level of ventilation. Burrowing is a popular practice with these isopods. Hence, they prefer to have hiding spots within their enclosure. Preferred diet choices include leaf litter, decaying wood, cuttlefish bone, fish bone, etc. The ideal room temperature for these species ranges between 18-24˚C. Phoenix Isopods: Feeding This particular species of isopods has a variety of food items to choose from. Even though they are considered an advanced species that is extremely rare to find, they are found under tropical conditions. Hence, their staple diets includes both leaf litter and decaying wood. Their dietary patterns are similar to many other species of isopods. A perfect environment should complement the diet these isopods follow in their consumption. Leaf litter and decaying wood are ideal for their consumption. These basic items are helpful for the longer survival of these isopods. The collector can provide additional supplements according to their own choice. The only factor to note is that it should be provided regularly. Vegetable peels, dried vegetables, fish food, etc., can be provided for these isopods regularly. They find moisture levels okay for their survival. But it should not exceed the levels of possible mold growth. Protein and calcium supplements can be provided depending on the collector's requirements. Cuttlefish bone, limestone, and fish food are all excellent supplements that can help these species of isopods grow well. Many of these products can be collected naturally or bought from diverse sources. Phoenix Isopods are considered a very active species of isopods. They require large, spaced enclosures to scourge the area actively. Ventilation is another vital aspect that must be noted before breeding these species. Phoenix Isopods: Appearance and Behaviour Like many other isopods, phoenix isopods are also gifted with hard exoskeletons. The exoskeletons are both protective and exotic. They have the maximum growth close to 2 CM. Their exotic appearance is a gift of their diverse coloured patterns. This appearance makes them a species that is in high demand. They require a lot of ventilation in the space that they are kept. This is mainly due to their natural environment being tropical. Moisture retention is also considered a vital aspect of caring for these isopods. They breed at good rates once established. Phoenix Isopods: Habitat Habitats are crucial aspects for the development of any isopods. As these are collected species from natural environments, the enclosures where they are kept should be replicated similarly to their origins. Providing basic habitat is a relatively easy task for any collectors. Phoenix isopods are extremely rare to find, even within their original habitats. But they are a species that can be maintained easily. Ensuring a proper habitat will result in more isopods breeding faster. Humid environments are highly preferred by Phoenix isopods. As their origin is tropical, they can tolerate room temperature easily. A thermometer should be regularly used to assess the room temperature of the habitat. An important factor is that the temperature should not exceed or decrease beyond the expected level of 18-24⁰C. It can adversely affect their metabolism. Maintaining moisture within the enclosure is a practice that should be kept for the ideal survival of these species. Supported by a number of hiding spots can enable the strong breeding of phoenix isopods in large numbers. Phoenix isopods are a heavily active species of isopods. Providing them ample space within the enclosure is crucial for their breeding. Phoenix Isopods: Substrate Mix Just like every other isopod, substrate mixtures are available for Phoenix isopods as well. Both natural substrates and artificial substrates are available for these isopods. Some of the options for a natural substrate mix include- leaf litter, decaying wood, dried vegetables, etc. Artificial substrate mixtures will consist of both protein and calcium supplements that can enhance their growth. The most important factor to consider in utilizing substrates is that it should ensure the survival of all species within the enclosure. Substrates should not hinder the development of any other species. Natural supplements like leaf litter and decaying wood should be completely pesticide-free to ensure that no toxic chemicals are present within the environment. Burrowing is a popular activity within these species. Hence, providing ample hiding spots is important for their breeding. As part of their protein and calcium supplements in substrate, cuttlefish bone, fish food, limestone etc., should be provided. These food items can improve their growth to greater levels. 

A highly sought-after species, Cubaris Platinum Isopods are popular for their metallic appearance and unique behaviour. Also known as Platinum-Metallica Ducky Isopods, these little creatures are medium in size and native to Thailand. Their most attractive feature is the silvery sheen, which gives their name. Isopod’s health and happiness rely majorly on the environment you offer them. Try giving them high-humidity enclosures and warm temperatures, which are their natural habitat.  Cubaris Platinum Isopods: A Glimpse Origin: Thailand Scientific Name: Cubaris sp. Platinum Difficulty: Advanced Rarity: Ultra Rare Temperature: 23 to 26 degrees Celsius Size: 1 cm to 1.5 cm Humidity: High Favourable Foods: Leaf litter, fresh vegetables and fruits, and protein-rich foods An Overview Known for their striking metallic exoskeleton, Cubaris Platinum Isopods are exotic pets. These isopods range from a pale silver to a bright platinum hue, unlike any other isopod species. Ideal for any isopod collection, Cubaris Platinum isopods grow up to 1.5 cm in length and have a domed-shaped body. This gives them extra protection in their natural environment, so they escape threats better. When it comes to Cubaris Platinum isopods, they need a high-humidity setup and consistent warmth to thrive. As a keeper, maintaining stable terrarium conditions is essential. Caring for these isopods is bit challenging, but the effort is worthwhile because of their fascinating appearance and behaviour. These are rare species because they breed slowly, making them fascinating creatures to possess as pets. But under optimal conditions, increasing their number is possible.  Cubaris Platinum Isopods: Basic Care Caring for Cubaris Platinum Isopods is not difficult and requires the minimum effort only if you do it the right way. A set of tips are shared below: A high humidity environment, around 70-80% is preferred and make sure the terrarium is well-sealed to lock the moisture in.  T 23-26℃. This is essential for the optimal health and activity of your isopods. Using cork bark, leaf litter, and moss, create hiding spots so your isopods feel safe. A nutrient-rich substrate is what your isopods need to be healthy. Ensure the substrate contains decayed wood, leaf litter, cuttlebone and eggshells, which are important for their growth. Cubaris Platinum Isopods: Feeding Feeding Cubaris Platinum Isopods doesn’t require much effort. Their diet mainly consists of decaying organic matter like leaves and wood, which you can easily find. A good idea is to include various dried vegetables like carrots and zucchini. These items give them additional nutrition. But for calcium supplementation, cuttlebone or eggshells are a must as they make their exoskeleton strong. Cubaris Platinum Isopods: Appearance and Behaviour Cubaris Platinum isopods have a metallic platinum exoskeleton, which is their distinctive feature.  Their nature is shy in general, and they prefer to hide during the day and come out during the night. Cubaris Platinum isopods are slow breeders, but their unique appearance makes the effort worth it. They need high-humidity conditions and consistent care without which they cannot flourish. These isopods have a dome-like body shape and size is medium. Cubaris Platinum Isopods: Habitat Cubaris Platinum Isopods are native to Thailand and need a humid tropical environment. Keeping them as pets requires replicating a similar climate in captivity so they can grow and reproduce without difficulties for which creating moisture-retaining substrate is essential. Along with it, adequate ventilation is also important as it helps prevent mould growth. Cubaris Platinum Isopods: Substrate Mix Keeping Cubaris Platinum Isopods needs a substrate mix containing decayed wood pieces and leaf litter playing a huge role in their sustenance and growth. Coconut coir and calcium-rich supplements like oyster shells or cuttlebone are also good for their exoskeleton health. Also, avoid using chemically treated substrates or additives because they may harm the isopods.

Origin: Spain (specifically the Baetic mountain ranges) Scientific Name: Porcellio baeticensis Difficulty Level: Low Size: Medium to large (around 1.5 to 2 cm as adults) Rarity: Low Temperature: 20–24°C (68–75°F) Humidity: 60–70%, with some drier areas preferred Diet: Leaf litter, decaying wood, vegetables (e.g., carrot, courgette), and calcium sources like cuttlebone or eggshell   Under the right light, you will see the almost purple colouration of these larger-than-average isopods. They take some time to get settled and willing to come out and about, but give them some time to get their bearings, as these are thoroughly unusual in terms of crustaceans. The females will defend, feed and take care of her young in all ways, until they are several weeks old. Once they've decided that they are safe you will see them out and about even during the day.  Porcellio isopods are highly adaptable to living in captivity, although due to their large size, and territorial behaviour, they do need larger enclosures. But they can live alongside selected isopods and other terrarium inhabitants. As with all isopods they thrive on leaf litter and a varied diet, with access to calcium. A decent substrate and plenty of hiding places are important, and plants, moss, and other living decorations are a fantastic addition to the vivarium or terrarium.