Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods

The famous "hissing isopod" in a striking brick-red colour morph. One of the few isopod species capable of producing audible sounds.

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods: A Glimpse

• Origin: Mediterranean Basin (Spain, Southern Europe, Western Black Sea coasts)
• Scientific Name: Armadillo officinalis
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Size: Up to 2cm
• Rarity: Low
• Temperature: 18°C to 26°C
• Humidity: 55% to 70% (low to medium, with gradient)
• Favorite Foods: Leaf litter, decaying wood, soft-bodied plants, vegetables
• Supplements: Cuttlebone, limestone, crushed eggshells

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods: An Overview

Armadillo officinalis is a Mediterranean species found across Southern Europe, from Spain to the western Black Sea coasts. They're one of the most distinctive isopods in the hobby, famous for their ability to produce audible sounds—a behaviour that's earned them the common name "hissing isopods."

The Red Brick morph is a colour variant that displays a warm, terracotta-red colouration. Juveniles are born a lighter yellowish-orange shade, with the colour deepening to the characteristic brick-red as they mature into adults. This colour development is one of the rewarding aspects of raising a colony from mixed ages.

It's worth noting that Armadillo is a separate genus from Armadillidium, despite the similar names and the fact that both can roll into balls. The Armadillo genus has some distinctive characteristics, including their famous stridulation ability and a somewhat different body shape with a more elongated face.

These are genuinely easy isopods to keep. They're hardy, adaptable to various conditions, and breed readily in captivity. The combination of interesting behaviour and striking colour makes the Red Brick morph a popular choice for both beginners and experienced keepers.

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods: Appearance

The Red Brick morph displays a rich terracotta to brick-red colouration across the body. This colour intensifies as the isopods mature—juveniles start with a pale yellowish or orange tone that gradually deepens through successive moults.

Adults reach approximately 2cm in length, making them a good-sized species that's easy to observe. They have a distinctive body shape compared to many other conglobating species, with a somewhat elongated face that gives them a characterful appearance.

Like other members of the Armadillo genus, they can roll into remarkably tight, near-perfect spheres when threatened (conglobation). In fact, A. officinalis is notable for remaining tightly curled for longer than most other rolling species—they seem more cautious and take their time before uncurling, even after the perceived danger has passed.

The shell has a sturdy, slightly glossy appearance. When a colony is well-established, watching a group of bright red adults alongside paler juveniles creates an attractive display.

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods: The Hissing Behaviour

The most famous characteristic of A. officinalis is their ability to produce audible sounds. This stridulation—often described as hissing or rattling—is produced when the isopod curls into a ball and rubs its legs (pereopods) against the inner surface of its shell in rapid circular motions.

Scientific research has shown this stridulation produces sounds peaking around 9 kHz and appears to function as a secondary defence mechanism. The isopods themselves also respond to these vibrations, moving away from the sound source—suggesting it may serve as an alarm signal within colonies.

You're unlikely to hear this sound from small colonies or individual isopods. The effect becomes more noticeable as colony numbers increase. When a larger group is startled, the collective sound of multiple isopods stridulating simultaneously becomes audible to human ears as a subtle rattling or hissing.

This behaviour makes A. officinalis genuinely unique among commonly kept isopod species. No other readily available isopod produces sounds in quite the same way.

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods: Basic Care

A. officinalis are adaptable isopods that tolerate a range of conditions, though they do have preferences that will help your colony thrive.

Temperature: Room temperature suits them well. They're comfortable anywhere from 18°C to 26°C and don't require supplemental heating in typical UK homes.

Humidity: This is where care is needed. They prefer low to medium humidity (around 55-70%) and can struggle in constantly wet conditions. High humidity can cause moulting problems. However, they still need access to moisture—dry conditions can be fatal. The key is balance: a humidity gradient with one damp area and plenty of drier space works best.

Ventilation: Moderate ventilation is important. Good airflow helps prevent the excessively moist conditions that cause problems, but avoid extremes.

Lighting: Low light preferred. Keep the enclosure away from direct sunlight and provide plenty of dark hiding spots.

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods: Feeding

A. officinalis have somewhat broader tastes than some isopod species and are known to consume soft-bodied plants alongside the usual detritivore diet.

Primary Food Sources:

• Mixed hardwood leaf litter (oak, beech, hazel)
• Decaying hardwood pieces
• White rotting wood

Supplemental Foods:

• Vegetables (carrot, courgette, sweet potato, cucumber)
• Oat flakes (they seem particularly fond of these)
• Soft-bodied plants
• Fish flakes for protein
• Occasional fruit

Calcium Sources: Essential for healthy shell development and moulting. Provide:

• Cuttlebone pieces
• Limestone chips
• Crushed eggshells
• Calcium powder

The calcium requirement is particularly important given that moulting issues can occur in suboptimal conditions. A consistent calcium supply helps ensure successful moults.

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods: Substrate Mix

A substrate that balances moisture retention with good drainage suits this species well. Avoid waterlogging, which can cause problems.

A suitable mix might include:

• Organic topsoil or compost as a base (pesticide-free)
• Decaying hardwood pieces and white rotting wood
• Leaf litter as a top layer
• Sphagnum moss in the moist area only
• Cork bark pieces
• Limestone chips mixed through for calcium

Some keepers include lime in the substrate, which can help buffer acidity and provide calcium. Substrate depth of around 5-7cm allows for burrowing and shelter.

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods: Enclosure Setup

A straightforward setup works well, with attention paid to creating appropriate humidity gradients.

Container Size: A 5-6 litre container suits a starter colony. These are reasonably active isopods that appreciate space as the colony grows.

Humidity Gradient: Create a distinct moisture gradient. Keep approximately 20-30% of the enclosure damp (with moist sphagnum moss) while the remaining area stays drier. This allows the isopods to regulate their moisture exposure.

Hides: Cork bark pieces provide essential hiding spots. These isopods spend considerable time curled up and sheltering, so provide plenty of cover.

Ventilation: Moderate ventilation holes or mesh panels. Good airflow is important but avoid excessive drying.

Leaf Litter: A generous layer of mixed hardwood leaves provides food and additional shelter.

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods: Breeding

A. officinalis are known for prolific breeding once established. They reproduce readily in appropriate conditions.

What to Expect:

• Regular reproduction once the colony settles
• Good brood sizes
• Steady colony growth
• Colour development in juveniles—watching them transition from pale yellow-orange to brick red

Colonies typically establish at a moderate pace. They're not the fastest colonisers, but they're reliable breeders that will build up numbers consistently over time.

Avoid excessively humid conditions during breeding, as this can interfere with successful moulting of both adults and juveniles.

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods: Behaviour

A. officinalis display some distinctive behavioural traits that set them apart from other isopod species.

Typical Behaviours:

• Strong conglobation response—rolling into tight balls when disturbed
• Remaining curled for extended periods after perceived threats
• Stridulation (sound production) when rolled up
• Relatively shy nature with preference for hiding
• Hurried movement when seeking cover
• Often observed eating while lying on their backs (particularly oat flakes)

Unlike many conglobating species that uncurl relatively quickly, A. officinalis are notably cautious and may stay rolled up for much longer. This defensive behaviour, combined with the stridulation, makes them fascinating to observe.

They tend to be more secretive than some Porcellio species, spending considerable time hidden under bark and within the substrate.

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick Isopods: Bioactive Use

A. officinalis can work well in bioactive setups, with some considerations.

Good for:

• Temperate and Mediterranean-style enclosures
• Semi-arid to moderately humid setups
• Enclosures where low to medium humidity is maintained
• Reptile setups with appropriate conditions

Considerations:

• Not ideal for very wet tropical setups—humidity issues can cause problems
• Their harder exoskeleton makes them less suitable as feeder isopods for smaller animals
• Larger amphibians and reptiles can consume adults; smaller predators may only manage juveniles

They'll function as effective cleanup crew members, processing organic waste and leaf litter. Their attractive colouration also adds visual interest to display enclosures.

Who Are These Isopods For?

Armadillo Officinalis Red Brick isopods suit:

• Beginners wanting an easy, interesting first species
• Anyone fascinated by the hissing behaviour
• Keepers who appreciate watching colour development
• Those wanting a hardy conglobating species
• Bioactive enthusiasts with appropriate enclosure conditions

They might not suit:

• Very humid tropical setups—they can struggle with excessive moisture
• Those seeking feeder isopods—the harder shell makes them less ideal
• Keepers wanting highly visible, constantly active species—they're quite shy

The combination of easy care, interesting behaviour, and attractive colouration makes the Red Brick morph an excellent choice for most keepers.

What's Included

Each order contains healthy specimens selected from our breeding stock. We include a mix of sizes to give your colony the best start, including juveniles that will develop their adult colouration over time. A care sheet is provided with every order.