Ardentiella Isopods For Sale

Ardentiella — the genus formerly known as Merulanella — are among the most visually striking isopods in the hobby. Native to Vietnam and surrounding regions of Southeast Asia, they're instantly recognisable for bold colouration (deep reds, yellows, oranges and blacks), large size for a tropical isopod, and a boldness most other genera don't match. Unlike the shy, burrow-dwelling species most keepers are used to, Ardentiella are semi-arboreal, surface-active, and visible during the day as well as at night. You actually see these isopods — which, combined with the colours, is why collectors pay premium prices for them.

Every Ardentiella isopod sold here is captive-bred. This matters more with this genus than almost any other: wild-caught Ardentiella have a reputation for dying off within weeks of import, which is where most of the genus's "fragile" reputation comes from. Stabilised CB lines are dramatically more forgiving — still demanding, but genuinely keepable with the right setup.

Morphs we stock

Ember Bee · Scarlet · Red Diablo · Thunder Dragon · Batman · Red Phoenix · Phoenix · Pastel · Lava · Tri Colour

Before you buy — honest care notes

Ardentiella are rated hard difficulty across the genus, and the difficulty is real. They share the same fundamental care requirements regardless of morph, and the same two issues crash most colonies:

• Ventilation versus humidity. They need 60–75% humidity and excellent airflow simultaneously. Stagnant humid air is lethal. Cross-ventilation — mesh vents on opposite sides of the enclosure — is essential.
• Frass buildup. Ardentiella are unusually sensitive to their own waste acidifying the substrate. Replace substrate every 6 months minimum, sooner if it looks spent.

They also prefer cooler temperatures (19–26°C, lower end better) than most tropical isopods, and can climb smooth plastic — so enclosures must be genuinely escape-proof. If you haven't kept tropical isopods before, we'd suggest starting with a hardier species like Dairy Cows or Powder Blues and working up to Ardentiella once you're comfortable managing humidity and airflow. Losing an £80 colony to avoidable mistakes is an expensive way to learn.

Common questions

Is Ardentiella the same as Merulanella?
Yes. The genus was reclassified following morphological and genetic analysis — what was sold as Merulanella sp. "Ember Bee," "Phoenix," "Tricolor" etc. is now correctly Ardentiella sp. The animals and their care haven't changed. You'll still see both names used across the hobby.

Why are Ardentiella isopods so expensive?
Three reasons: slow growth, moderate breeding rate, and high demand from collectors. Combined with the time and care required to keep captive-bred colonies stable in UK conditions, prices typically sit at £65–£135 for a starter group of 5.

Can I keep Ardentiella in a bioactive vivarium with my reptile?
We don't recommend it. They need cooler temperatures than most reptiles require, they can climb out of typical vivarium ventilation, they're territorial toward other isopod species, and