Cubaris Isopods for Sale UK
Cubaris is the genus that changed the isopod hobby. When the Rubber Ducky was discovered in Thai limestone caves in 2017, it sparked an entire collecting culture around designer isopods - and Cubaris has been at the centre of it ever since. This is our largest and most varied genus page, ranging from genuinely beginner-accessible entry points through to some of the rarest isopods available anywhere in the UK.
What unites the genus is their origin. The vast majority of Cubaris in the hobby come from the limestone caves and karst formations of Thailand and Vietnam - dark, humid environments rich in calcium. That background shapes almost everything about their care: they need warmth, consistently high humidity, deep substrate for burrowing, minimal disturbance, and abundant calcium, ideally including real limestone in the enclosure rather than just powdered supplements. They breed slowly compared to Porcellio or Porcellionides, and most need several months to settle before reproduction begins in earnest. Patience is a genuine requirement with this genus, not just a caveat. Our complete Cubaris care guide covers everything in detail.
All captive-bred, dispatched Monday to Thursday by Royal Mail next-day, with a live arrival guarantee and 20% overcount as standard.
Where to Start
Where to begin depends entirely on your experience. If you've never kept isopods before, start with something from our Porcellio or Porcellionides collections first - the skills you build managing humidity, substrate and ventilation on forgiving species will serve you well when you step up to Cubaris.
If you have some isopod experience and are ready to try the genus, the accessible end of this collection includes the Little Sea Isopod (Cubaris murina) and Murina Glacier - the most forgiving species here - alongside the White Shark, Panda King and Pak Chong, all of which offer genuine Cubaris appeal without the most demanding care requirements.
The mid-range includes well-established species like the Amber Ducky, Bumblebee, Jupiter, Red Panda King and Pink Panda King - visually striking, with reliable breeding once settled. At the premium end sit the iconic Rubber Ducky and its variants: the species that started it all, and still among the most sought-after isopods in the world. If you're wondering what drives the price on the rarer morphs, our article on why isopods are so expensive explains it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cubaris isopods?
Cubaris is a genus of tropical isopod, most of which come from the limestone caves and karst regions of Thailand and Vietnam. They're prized in the hobby as "designer" isopods for their striking looks - the Rubber Ducky, with its yellow duck-like face, is the most famous. They tend to be more demanding than temperate species, wanting stable warmth, high humidity and a calcium-rich substrate.
Are Cubaris hard to keep?
More demanding than most, but not out of reach. The genus needs consistent warmth (around 22-27°C for most species), high humidity of 75-85%, deep substrate for burrowing, and plenty of calcium - ideally real limestone. Forgiving species like Murina and White Shark are a sensible starting point; the rarer morphs reward keepers who can hold tight, stable conditions. Building experience on hardy Porcellio or Porcellionides first makes the step up much easier.
Why are Cubaris isopods so expensive?
They breed slowly, produce small broods (often just 5-15 young), and take months to settle before reproducing - so supply builds slowly while demand stays high. Combined with their striking looks and cave-dwelling rarity, that keeps prices up, especially for the Rubber Ducky and its variants.
What substrate do Cubaris need?
A deep, calcium-rich substrate that holds humidity without going stagnant, with real limestone pieces included rather than relying on powdered calcium alone. They burrow, so depth matters. Skip coco coir as the base - it holds moisture but offers little else, and Cubaris do far better on a nutritious mix of flake soil, white-rotted hardwood and organic topsoil.
Which Cubaris is best for beginners to the genus?
Cubaris murina (the Little Sea Isopod) and Murina Glacier are the most forgiving, followed by the White Shark, Panda King and Pak Chong. These give you the genuine Cubaris experience without the tightest care requirements of the premium morphs.
Do Cubaris roll into a ball?
Partly. Cubaris can curl up, but they're not as complete or reliable at it as Armadillidium, the true pill bugs. If your Rubber Duckies don't tuck into a perfect sphere, that's normal for the genus.
How long do Cubaris take to breed?
Slowly, and it's worth setting expectations. Broods are small (5-15 mancae), gestation runs 4-6 weeks, and a starter group typically needs 12-18 months of patient husbandry before the colony reaches real numbers. They're a patience genus, not a quick-return one.
Pair any colony with springtails for a complete bioactive cleanup crew. If you're unsure which species suits your setup or experience level, our live chat team is always on hand - and it's worth checking back regularly, as new Cubaris morphs come through often and don't always stay in stock for long.
