

PostPods
Giant Banahoa Isopods (Fillipinodillo sp)
from £65.00
Experience the awe-inspiring presence of our magnificent Giant Banahoa Isopods! These extraordinary Philippine natives represent one of the most impressive terrestrial isopods available in the hobby, combining substantial size with breathtaking beauty that commands attention in any collection. With their almost armoured appearance featuring intricate rusty-bronze patterns and robust build, these remarkable Fillipinodillo specimens showcase the incredible diversity that the tropical Philippines has to offer. Perfect for serious collectors and experienced keepers who appreciate both size and striking visual appeal in their isopod displays.
A Glimpse
Origin: Banahoa region, Philippines
Scientific Name: Fillipinodillo sp. "Giant Banahoa"
Maintenance required: Medium to Advanced
Average Size: 2.0-2.5 cm
Rarity: Very High
Lifespan: 2-3 years
Temperature: 24℃-28℃ (75℉-82℉)
Ventilation: Moderate
Humidity: 75-85%
Favorite food: Decaying hardwood, leaf litter, organic matter
Supplements: Cuttlebone, calcium powder, protein sources
Giant Banahoa Isopods: Introduction
These spectacular isopods originate from the biodiverse Banahoa region of the Philippines, where the unique tropical mountain ecosystem has given rise to some of the most impressive terrestrial isopods found anywhere in Southeast Asia. The Philippines' reputation for extraordinary endemic species is perfectly exemplified by these remarkable creatures, which represent the pinnacle of size and beauty in the Fillipinodillo genus.
Their imposing presence and distinctive armoured appearance make them true showstoppers that captivate everyone who encounters them. The intricate rusty-bronze patterning across their substantial exoskeleton creates a visual masterpiece that seems almost prehistoric, earning them a well-deserved reputation as one of the most sought-after species among serious collectors worldwide, rivaling even popular varieties like Cubaris species in desirability.
Physical Traits and Characteristics
These impressive isopods showcase the classic Fillipinodillo body plan scaled up to truly giant proportions, reaching an extraordinary 2.0-2.5cm in length
Their most striking feature is the intricate rusty-bronze coloration that creates complex patterns across their heavily armoured exoskeleton
The robust, almost tank-like build gives them an imposing presence that immediately distinguishes them from smaller isopod species
Their substantial size and thick exoskeleton create an almost prehistoric appearance that captivates observers
The segmented body displays beautiful contrast between darker and lighter areas, creating natural geometric patterns
Their impressive antennae and well-developed compound eyes reflect their adaptation to the complex forest floor environments of the Philippines
The substantial legs and robust build indicate their terrestrial lifestyle and ability to navigate through dense leaf litter and decomposing wood
Their large size makes every detail of their anatomy easily observable, from their intricate mouthparts to their distinctive segmentation
The overall appearance suggests a creature perfectly adapted to the rich, humid forest floors of tropical Philippine mountains
Individual specimens may show subtle variations in patterning, making each isopod unique while maintaining the distinctive Giant Banahoa characteristics
Diet
Giant Banahoa Isopods are enthusiastic decomposers with appetites to match their impressive size. In their native Philippine mountain forests, they encounter a rich diversity of tropical hardwoods, exotic leaf litter, and the abundant organic matter typical of these biodiverse ecosystems.
Provide a varied diet that reflects their tropical origins, including quality hardwood pieces (oak, beech, and tropical woods work particularly well), diverse leaf litter, and cork bark for sustained nutrition. Their substantial size means they can process larger food items than smaller species like Porcellio laevis, making feeding both easier and more rewarding to observe.
Supplement their diet with fresh vegetables such as sweet potatoes, squash, and tropical fruits occasionally. Their robust metabolism requires regular calcium supplementation through cuttlebone, crushed limestone, or specialized calcium powders to support their impressive exoskeleton development and molting processes.
Protein sources are important for maintaining their substantial size and supporting reproduction. Offer fish food flakes, dried shrimp, or specialized high-protein isopod foods regularly. Their impressive appetite means they can quickly process significant amounts of organic waste, making them excellent bioactive cleanup crews despite their rarity.
Due to their size and value, monitor feeding carefully to ensure all individuals receive adequate nutrition without creating competition that might stress these valuable specimens.
Giant Banahoa Isopods: Personality
These magnificent isopods display a confident, robust personality that matches their impressive physical presence. Their substantial size gives them a bold demeanor, and they're often more visible during daylight hours than many smaller, more secretive species, making them excellent display animals.
Their Philippine forest origins have instilled in them a curious, exploratory nature. They'll readily investigate new additions to their environment and aren't easily startled, allowing for excellent observation opportunities. This confidence makes them engaging terrarium inhabitants that reward patient observation with fascinating behaviors.
Despite their imposing size, they're generally peaceful creatures that coexist well with other large isopod species. Their substantial build means they're not easily intimidated, but they're not aggressive toward smaller tank mates either, making them suitable for mixed species setups with appropriate companions like other Philippine isopods or similarly-sized species.
Their impressive size and striking appearance make every sighting special, and their robust nature means they're tolerant of brief observation periods, allowing enthusiasts to fully appreciate their remarkable characteristics and behaviors.
Breeding
Giant Banahao Isopods are moderate breeders that require optimal conditions to successfully reproduce in captivity. Their impressive size means breeding females can carry substantial broods, but their tropical origins require consistent environmental conditions to trigger successful reproduction, similar to other tropical species like Cubaris but with even more specific requirements due to their rarity.
Females reach sexual maturity at approximately 6-8 months and carry eggs for 6-8 weeks before releasing juveniles. Broods typically contain 15-30 offspring, with the exact number depending on the female's size and condition. The juveniles emerge as perfect miniatures of their impressive parents and grow steadily with proper care.
For successful breeding, maintain stable tropical conditions with high humidity (80-85%), consistent temperatures around 25-27℃, and abundant calcium sources to support the development of their substantial exoskeletons. The impressive size of adults means they require more space and resources than smaller species.
Given their rarity and value, successful breeding represents a significant achievement in the hobby. Establishing breeding populations helps ensure the long-term availability of these spectacular isopods while providing the satisfaction of working with truly exceptional creatures.
Their substantial size and impressive appearance make breeding colonies particularly rewarding, as watching multiple generations of these magnificent isopods develop creates a truly spectacular display.
Creating the Perfect Habitat
Giant Banahoa Isopods require spacious, well-designed habitats that accommodate their impressive size while replicating the rich tropical conditions of their Philippine mountain origins. Use deep substrate (6-8cm minimum) composed of quality tropical soil mix, decomposed hardwood matter, and organic components that maintain the high humidity these giants require. Consider pairing with springtails to help maintain optimal substrate conditions.
Their substantial size means they need appropriately scaled hiding spots and environmental features. Provide large pieces of cork bark, substantial hardwood chunks, and ceramic caves that can accommodate their impressive bulk while offering the security they need.
Temperature management is crucial for these tropical giants. Maintain stable conditions between 24-28℃ with minimal fluctuations that might stress these valuable specimens. Their Philippine origins mean they thrive in consistently warm conditions that would be excessive for temperate species like Porcellio varieties.
Humidity should remain consistently high (75-85%) while ensuring adequate ventilation to prevent stagnation. Their large size and substantial waste production means good airflow is essential, but balance this with their need for tropical humidity levels.
Include substantial calcium sources throughout the substrate - crushed limestone, cuttlebone pieces, and oyster shell provide ongoing supplementation to support their impressive exoskeleton development. The visual impact of these magnificent creatures is enhanced by creating a Philippine-inspired biotope with tropical decorations that complement their striking appearance.
Consider the spectacular display potential when designing their habitat - these impressive isopods deserve setups that showcase their remarkable size and beauty while providing the optimal conditions they need to thrive and potentially reproduce in captivity. For additional guidance on isopod care, explore our comprehensive care articles and setup guides.


PostPods
Nakar Isopods (Fillipinodillo sp)
from £60.00
Nakar Isopods (Fillipinodillo sp.) Product Description
Journey to the tropical paradise of the Philippines with our magnificent Nakar Isopods! These extraordinary Fillipinodillo specimens from the enchanting Nakar region represent some of the most fascinating and visually striking isopods in the Asian hobby. With their impressive size, intricate markings, and captivating behavior, these Philippine treasures bring the essence of Southeast Asian rainforests to your collection. Perfect for enthusiasts seeking something truly exotic and geographically significant.
Nakar Isopods: A Glimpse
• Origin: Nakar Region, Philippines• Scientific Name: Fillipinodillo sp. "Nakar"• Difficulty Level: Medium to Advanced• Size: Up to 25 millimeters (substantial size)• Rarity: Very Rare• Temperature: 75°F to 82°F• Humidity: 75% to 85%• Favourite Foods: Tropical leaf litter, rotting wood, organic fruits, protein supplements
An Overview
Originating from the lush tropical landscapes of the Nakar region in the Philippines, these remarkable Fillipinodillo isopods represent one of the most captivating examples of Southeast Asian biodiversity. The Philippines archipelago, with its incredible endemic species richness, has produced some truly extraordinary isopod species, and the Nakar locality specimens are among the most prized in the international hobby.
What makes these Philippine giants so extraordinary is their impressive size combined with truly mesmerizing markings that seem almost artistic in their complexity. Each individual displays intricate patterns that reflect the rich biodiversity of their tropical homeland, with colorations that capture the essence of Philippine rainforest floors. Their substantial build and distinctive appearance make them standout specimens that command attention in any collection.
These Fillipinodillo specimens showcase the remarkable adaptability of isopods to tropical environments, having evolved in the high-humidity, warm conditions of Philippine forests. Their behavior patterns and ecological role reflect thousands of years of evolution in one of the world's most biodiverse regions, making them living representatives of Southeast Asian natural heritage.
Habitat Requirements
Substrate Mix: • 40% premium quality leaf mould or forest soil • 25% composted tropical leaf litter (mixed hardwood species) • 20% sphagnum moss for superior moisture retention • 10% rotting hardwood pieces (essential for nutrition) • 5% limestone or crushed cuttlefish bone
Create a rich, nutritious substrate that mimics Philippine forest floors. Avoid coco coir as it provides no nutritional value - instead focus on organic materials that will actually feed your isopods as they decompose.
Basic Care
Enclosure Setup: • Minimum 15-gallon container for small colonies (3-5 individuals) • Secure, well-ventilated lid with humidity-appropriate ventilation • Deep substrate layer (5-6 inches) for natural burrowing behaviors • Multiple cork bark hiding spots and natural wood arrangements • Thick layer of tropical leaf litter throughout • Extensive moss coverage for microclimate creation • Shallow water feature for humidity maintenance
Environmental Conditions: • Maintain temperature between 75°F to 82°F (tropical warmth essential) • Keep humidity between 75% to 85% (Philippine rainforest levels) • Provide natural lighting cycle with warm, indirect illumination • Ensure good ventilation to prevent stagnation while maintaining humidity • Monitor daily as tropical species require consistent conditions
These medium to advanced-care isopods require dedicated attention to tropical conditions. Their Philippine origins mean they're adapted to consistently warm, humid environments and don't tolerate temperature or humidity fluctuations well.
Feeding
Primary Diet: • Tropical hardwood leaf litter (diverse species mix preferred) • Rotting tropical wood pieces (absolutely essential for nutrition) • Fresh organic tropical fruits (banana, mango, papaya in moderation) • High-quality organic vegetables (sweet potato, carrot, squash) • Premium leaf mould and forest soil
Essential Supplements: • Protein sources 2-3 times weekly (fish flakes, freeze-dried shrimp) • Calcium sources (cuttlefish bone, limestone, crushed eggshells) • Tropical fruit treats (small amounts of overripe fruit) • Specialized high-protein isopod foods
Feeding Schedule: Feed 2-3 times per week with varied tropical offerings, ensuring abundant rotting wood and leaf materials are always available. These sizeable isopods have hearty appetites and benefit from diverse nutrition sources. Remove uneaten fresh foods after 24-48 hours in the humid tropical conditions.
Breeding Information
Fillipinodillo sp. Nakar are considered slow to moderate breeders that require very stable tropical conditions for successful reproduction. Their larger size means longer development times but potentially impressive broods when conditions are optimal.
Breeding Requirements: • Absolutely stable temperature (78-80°F ideal) • Consistent high humidity (80-85%) • Rich, nutritious substrate with abundant organic matter • Multiple secure hiding spots for gravid females • Excellent ventilation to prevent harmful gas buildup • Regular high-quality protein supplementation • Minimal disturbance during breeding cycles • Patient approach as tropical species often breed seasonally
Females reach maturity slowly due to their larger size, often taking 6-8 months to reach breeding condition. When successful, they produce moderate-sized broods of well-developed mancae that require the same stable tropical conditions as adults.
Rarity & Collection Value
These Nakar specimens represent exceptional rarity and collection value within the international isopod hobby. Philippine isopods in general are among the most sought-after in the world, and specific locality specimens like these Nakar individuals are extraordinarily rare in captive collections.
Special Considerations: • Extremely rare in international hobby • Authentic Philippine locality specimens • Requires advanced tropical care techniques • Slow breeding rate increases their value • Each specimen represents years of careful collection and breeding • Essential for serious collectors of Asian species
Perfect for: • Advanced collectors seeking ultimate rarity • Enthusiasts passionate about Southeast Asian fauna • Educational displays showcasing tropical biodiversity • Specialized breeding projects focused on Philippine species • Collections emphasizing biogeographic authenticity
Investment Consideration: These Philippine specimens represent both exceptional rarity and significant care commitment. Their slow reproduction and specific tropical requirements make them challenging but incredibly rewarding for dedicated keepers. Success with these species demonstrates advanced isopod husbandry skills.
Whether you're an experienced collector seeking the pinnacle of Asian isopod species or an advanced enthusiast ready to work with genuine tropical rarities, our Nakar Fillipinodillo represent an unparalleled opportunity. These Philippine treasures combine extraordinary beauty, impressive size, and incredible rarity, representing the very best of Southeast Asian isopod diversity and the ultimate achievement for serious collectors!