This is Cubaris sp. "Panda King" - one of the most popular Cubaris species with their distinctive black and white colouration. The current description mentions coco coir in the substrate section which I'll remove. At 60% off with prices starting at £10 for 10, these are exceptionally good value for a Cubaris species. I'll write a comprehensive description in your format.
Cubaris sp. "Panda King" is one of the most recognisable and popular Cubaris species in the hobby, named for their striking black and white colouration reminiscent of giant pandas. Originating from limestone caves in Vietnam, they've become a gateway species for many keepers entering the world of Cubaris isopods. Their attractive appearance, reasonable care requirements, and—at current pricing—exceptional value make them an obvious choice for anyone wanting to keep Cubaris without the steep costs and demanding husbandry of rarer species. Once established, they breed prolifically, making colony-building genuinely achievable.
A Glimpse
-
Origin: Vietnam (limestone caves, central and northern regions)
-
Scientific Name: Cubaris sp. "Panda King"
-
Maintenance required: Low to Medium
-
Average Size: 1-1.5 cm
-
Rarity: Low to Medium (widely available)
-
Lifespan: 2-4 years
-
Temperature: 21-27°C (70-80°F)
-
Ventilation: Low
-
Humidity: 70-80%
-
Favorite food: Decaying vegetation, vegetables, protein sources
-
Supplements: Cuttlefish bone, crushed limestone, eggshells
Cubaris sp. Panda King: Introduction
Panda King isopods originate from limestone caves and karst formations in central and northern Vietnam. These environments are characterised by high humidity, darkness, consistent temperatures, and calcium-rich substrates—conditions that directly inform their captive care requirements.
The "Panda" name is apt. Their black and white patterning genuinely evokes the appearance of giant pandas, making them immediately recognisable even to people unfamiliar with isopods. This visual appeal, combined with relatively straightforward care compared to more demanding Cubaris species, has made them one of the most popular introductions to the genus.
What distinguishes Panda Kings from many premium Cubaris is their willingness to breed once established. While some Cubaris species are notoriously slow and difficult to breed, Panda Kings produce offspring reliably under appropriate conditions. This means colonies actually grow rather than stagnating or declining—a genuine advantage for keepers wanting to build populations rather than simply maintain small groups indefinitely.
At current sale pricing (60% off), they represent exceptional value. The opportunity to acquire Cubaris with genuine visual appeal at these prices makes them accessible to keepers who might otherwise be priced out of the genus entirely.
Cubaris sp. Panda King: Physical Traits and Characteristics
- Adults reach approximately 1-1.5 cm
- Distinctive black and white patterned exoskeleton
- The patterning genuinely resembles panda colouration—not a stretch
- Relatively soft exoskeleton compared to some species
- Capable of conglobation (rolling into a defensive ball)
- Compact, rounded body shape typical of Cubaris
- Pattern varies slightly between individuals but maintains the panda aesthetic
Their size is modest—they're not large isopods—but their colouration makes them visually striking despite their compact dimensions.
Behaviour
Panda King isopods display typical Cubaris behaviours with characteristics that make them rewarding to keep.
Activity patterns: Nocturnal. They're most active in darkness and prefer dim conditions. During the day, expect them to remain hidden in substrate or under cover. Evening and night hours bring increased activity.
Temperament: Shy initially but become bolder once established. New colonies may hide extensively; settled colonies venture out more confidently. Patience during the establishment phase pays off.
Conglobation: They roll into defensive balls when disturbed—classic isopod behaviour. This response is reliable.
Burrowing: Active burrowers that dig into substrate seeking moisture and security. Deep substrate accommodates this natural behaviour and reduces stress.
Social behaviour: Peaceful and social. They cluster together comfortably, forming loose colonies. Offspring stay near mothers initially, creating family groupings within the colony.
Colony dynamics: Once established and comfortable, they breed actively. Colonies can grow substantially over time—a significant advantage over slow-breeding Cubaris species.
Diet
Panda King isopods are not fussy eaters and accept a wide variety of foods.
Primary foods:
- Decaying leaf litter (oak, beech, magnolia, and similar hardwoods)
- Rotting hardwood
- Decaying plant matter
- Cork bark
Supplementary foods:
- Vegetables: carrot, courgette, sweet potato, squash
- Occasional fruits
- Fish flakes for protein
- Dried shrimp
- Commercial isopod foods
Calcium requirements: Higher than many species—their limestone cave origins mean they're adapted to calcium-rich environments. Provide cuttlefish bone, crushed limestone, crushed eggshells, or calcium powder generously. Inadequate calcium causes moulting problems and poor colony health.
Protein requirements: Regular protein supplementation supports growth and breeding. Fish flakes, dried shrimp, or earthworm castings provide appropriate protein sources.
Feeding approach: Maintain constant access to leaf litter and decaying wood as baseline food. Supplement with vegetables and protein sources regularly. They're good eaters but avoid overfeeding fresh foods—excess can attract pests. Remove uneaten fresh foods within 24-48 hours.
Cubaris sp. Panda King: Breeding
Panda Kings are among the more reliable Cubaris breeders—a significant advantage.
Breeding rate: Good once established. They're described as breeding "rapidly" once acclimated, which is accurate compared to many Cubaris species. Don't expect immediate results with new colonies, but established groups produce offspring consistently.
Breeding behaviour: Males transfer sperm to females during mating. Females carry developing eggs, and juveniles emerge after approximately six weeks. Young stay close to mothers initially, forming family clusters within the colony.
Breeding requirements:
- High humidity (70-80%)
- Stable warm temperatures (22-26°C ideal)
- Abundant calcium availability
- Adequate protein
- Deep substrate for security
- Minimal disturbance during establishment
Colony establishment: New colonies need time to acclimate before breeding begins. Keep them in appropriate conditions, minimise disturbance, and allow them to settle. Once comfortable, breeding follows naturally.
Tips for success: Patience during establishment is essential. Resist the urge to constantly check on them or disturb the enclosure. Stable, undisturbed conditions encourage faster acclimation and breeding onset. Starting with larger groups (20+) provides better genetic diversity and faster colony establishment.
Cubaris sp. Panda King: Habitat Setup
Creating appropriate conditions means replicating their humid limestone cave environment.
Enclosure: A container with limited ventilation to maintain humidity. Plastic containers with minimal ventilation holes work well for culturing; glass enclosures allow viewing but require careful humidity management. Start with a smaller container during acclimation, then transfer to larger enclosures as colonies grow.
Secure lids prevent escapes and maintain humidity levels.
Substrate: Deep substrate is essential—aim for 10cm (4 inches) minimum:
- Organic topsoil as a base (pesticide-free)
- Sphagnum peat moss mixed throughout
- Crushed limestone generously incorporated (essential given their limestone cave origins)
- Hardwood leaf litter layered on top (magnolia leaves are excellent)
- Decaying hardwood pieces
- Sphagnum moss patches for moisture retention
The limestone/calcium content is particularly important. Their natural habitat is calcium-rich; replicate this in the substrate.
Humidity: High humidity is essential—70-80%:
- Maintain consistently moist substrate
- Provide moisture gradient (some areas slightly drier, some damper)
- Mist regularly to maintain humidity
- Sphagnum moss patches retain moisture between misting
- Limited ventilation preserves humidity
Avoid waterlogging—moist, not wet. Excess standing water causes problems.
Ventilation: Low ventilation. Restrict airflow to maintain humidity. Small ventilation holes rather than mesh lids. Their cave origins mean they're adapted to still, humid air—excessive ventilation drops humidity to harmful levels.
Lighting: They strongly prefer darkness. Keep enclosures in dark or dimly lit locations. Bright light causes stress and inhibits natural behaviour. If displaying them, position enclosures away from direct light.
Décor and hides:
- Cork bark pieces and tubes
- Flat bark sections
- Dried oak leaves
- Magnolia leaves (excellent for moisture retention and shelter)
- Sphagnum moss patches
- Limestone pieces (functional and aesthetic)
Multiple hiding options throughout the enclosure reduce stress and encourage natural behaviour.
Temperature: 21-27°C (70-80°F). Room temperature in heated UK homes typically works. Avoid cold locations and temperature extremes. Consistent warmth supports activity and breeding.
Springtails: Highly recommended. High-humidity environments can develop mould; springtails consume mould and maintain enclosure hygiene. They coexist peacefully with Panda Kings and benefit overall enclosure health.
Bioactive Use
Panda King isopods can function in bioactive setups meeting their requirements.
Best suited for:
- Tropical bioactive enclosures
- Humid vivarium setups
- Dart frog habitats
- Tropical gecko enclosures
- Snail terrariums (compatible humidity requirements)
Advantages:
- Attractive appearance adds visual interest
- Reliable breeding means populations recover and grow
- Effective decomposers
- Soft exoskeletons make them suitable as occasional feeders for small animals
- Peaceful coexistence with other cleanup crew
Considerations:
- Require consistently high humidity
- Soft exoskeletons mean some animals may eat them (advantage or disadvantage depending on intent)
- Not suitable for arid setups
- Need establishment time before thriving
As feeders: Their relatively soft exoskeletons make them suitable as occasional feeders for poison dart frogs and other small insectivores. However, at their price point (even discounted), dedicated feeder colonies of cheaper species may be more economical for regular feeding purposes.
Tank Mates
Panda Kings coexist well with appropriate tank mates.
Compatible:
- Springtails (highly recommended—mutual benefits)
- Snails (similar humidity requirements)
- Other humidity-loving isopods (in large enclosures with distinct microhabitats)
- Dart frogs (though predation will occur)
- Small tropical geckos
Considerations:
- Tank mates should share humidity requirements
- Predatory animals will eat them—factor this into stocking decisions
- Mixing isopod species requires adequate space and resources to prevent competition
Suitability
Panda King isopods suit a wide range of keepers.
Excellent choice for:
- First-time Cubaris keepers
- Those wanting attractive isopods at accessible prices
- Keepers building breeding colonies
- Humid bioactive setups
- Anyone wanting Cubaris without premium pricing
- Beginners with some basic isopod experience
Not ideal for:
- Complete beginners with zero isopod experience (start with P. scaber)
- Arid or low-humidity setups
- Keepers unable to maintain consistent humidity
- Those wanting immediate results (establishment takes time)
Care level: Low to medium difficulty. They're considered beginner-friendly within the Cubaris genus—not as forgiving as hardy Porcellio species, but significantly more accessible than demanding premium Cubaris. Keepers who can maintain stable humidity and resist over-handling will succeed.
Value assessment: At current sale pricing (60% off, starting at £10 for 10), they represent outstanding value. This pricing makes Cubaris keeping accessible to hobbyists who might otherwise never try the genus. The combination of attractive appearance, reasonable care requirements, and reliable breeding makes them genuinely recommendable rather than just "cheap."
Expectations: Expect shy behaviour initially that improves as colonies establish. Expect attractive isopods that reward patient, hands-off husbandry with steady population growth. Don't expect instant breeding or tolerance of poor conditions. With appropriate care, Panda Kings deliver on their reputation as an excellent introduction to Cubaris keeping.
