Porcellio Echinatus Isopods

A hardy Portuguese Porcellio with distinctive bumpy, textured skin that's earned them the nickname "Shark Skin" isopods.

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: A Glimpse

• Origin: Portugal, Southern Spain, North Africa
• Scientific Name: Porcellio echinatus
• Difficulty Level: Very Easy
• Size: Up to 12-15mm
• Rarity: Low
• Temperature: 18°C to 26°C
• Humidity: 50% to 70% (medium, with gradient)
• Favorite Foods: Leaf litter, decaying wood, vegetables, fish food
• Supplements: Cuttlebone, limestone, calcium powder

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: An Overview

Porcellio echinatus is an Iberian species native to Portugal and southern Spain, with populations also found in parts of North Africa including Morocco and Algeria. They've become a popular entry point into the hobby due to their hardiness, interesting texture, and affordable price point.

The species gets its name from the Latin "echinatus" meaning spiny or prickly, referring to their distinctively rough, granulated body surface. This bumpy texture has also earned them the common name "Shark Skin" isopods in some parts of the hobby. Under magnification, the body surface is covered with small tubercles and granulations that give them a rugged appearance quite different from smoother species.

These are genuinely beginner-friendly isopods. They tolerate a range of conditions, breed readily in captivity, and don't require specialised care. If you're new to keeping Porcellio or want a hardy species that won't punish you for imperfect husbandry, P. echinatus is an excellent starting point.

At £5 for 10, they also represent great value for keepers wanting to establish a cleanup crew or start a breeding colony without significant investment.

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Appearance

The most distinctive feature of P. echinatus is their texture. The body surface is covered with small bumps and granulations, creating a rough, almost sandpaper-like appearance when viewed closely. This sets them apart from smoother Porcellio species and gives them visual interest that belies their affordable price.

Wild-type colouration is typically dark grey to brown, sometimes with lighter mottling or subtle patterning. They're not the most colourful isopods available, but their texture more than makes up for the subdued palette. The rough surface catches light differently than smooth species, giving them a distinctive look in an enclosure.

Adults reach around 12-15mm in length, making them a medium-sized Porcellio. Some sources list them smaller (around 8mm), but well-fed adults in good conditions typically reach the larger end of this range. They're comparable in size to P. scaber, though their texture makes them appear slightly more compact.

Like other Porcellio species, they cannot roll into a complete ball when threatened. They have the typical flattened Porcellio body shape and rely on speed and hiding to escape danger.

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Basic Care

P. echinatus are adaptable isopods that tolerate a wide range of conditions. This flexibility is what makes them so suitable for beginners.

Temperature: Room temperature works perfectly. They're comfortable anywhere from 18°C to 26°C and don't require supplemental heating in most UK homes. They originate from Mediterranean climates, so they handle both cooler UK room temperatures and slightly warmer conditions without issue.

Humidity: These isopods handle both semi-arid and more humid conditions reasonably well. A humidity gradient works best: keep one area of the enclosure damper than the rest, allowing the isopods to choose their preferred moisture level. Overall humidity around 50-70% is suitable, but they're forgiving of variations.

Ventilation: Moderate ventilation is sufficient. They don't require the aggressive airflow that large Spanish Porcellio need, but avoid completely stagnant conditions that encourage mould.

Lighting: Low light conditions are preferred. Keep the enclosure out of direct sunlight and provide plenty of dark hiding spots under bark and leaf litter.

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Feeding

P. echinatus are straightforward to feed. They're unfussy detritivores with healthy appetites and will consume a variety of food items without complaint.

Primary Food Sources:

• Mixed hardwood leaf litter (oak, beech, hazel)
• Decaying hardwood pieces
• Rotting bark

Supplemental Foods:

• Vegetables (carrot, courgette, sweet potato, cucumber)
• Fish flakes or fish food pellets
• Freeze-dried shrimp for protein
• Occasional fruit

Calcium Sources: Essential for healthy moulting and breeding. They seem particularly fond of cuttlebone. Provide:

• Cuttlebone pieces
• Limestone chips
• Crushed eggshells
• Oyster shell

Remove uneaten fresh food within a day or two to prevent mould. Leaf litter and decaying wood can remain in the enclosure permanently.

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Substrate Mix

A basic moisture-retentive substrate works well. They're not fussy about substrate composition as long as it holds some humidity and provides opportunities for shelter.

A suitable mix might include:

• Organic topsoil or potting compost (pesticide-free) as a base
• Coconut coir for moisture retention
• Sphagnum moss mixed through and on the surface
• Decaying hardwood pieces
• Leaf litter as a top layer
• Charcoal pieces for drainage

Substrate depth of around 5cm is adequate. P. echinatus don't dig extensively but appreciate the option to burrow into the substrate when conditions on the surface aren't ideal.

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Enclosure Setup

A straightforward setup suits this species well. Nothing elaborate is required.

Container Size: A 3-6 litre container works well for a starter colony. These are smaller isopods that don't need vast amounts of space initially, though they'll appreciate more room as the colony grows.

Hides: Cork bark pieces provide essential hiding spots. Position some flat on the substrate and some propped at angles to create varied microhabitats.

Moisture Gradient: Keep one end of the enclosure slightly damper than the other. The moist area can have damp sphagnum moss, while the rest of the enclosure stays drier.

Ventilation: A few ventilation holes or a small mesh panel provides adequate airflow.

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

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Breeding

P. echinatus are prolific breeders once established. They reproduce reliably and colonies grow steadily under appropriate conditions.

What to Expect:

• Consistent reproduction throughout the warmer months
• Good brood sizes
• Steady to rapid colony growth
• Hardy juveniles that survive well

They breed more readily than many fancier species, making them excellent for keepers who want to build up a population quickly. New colonies typically settle fast and begin producing offspring within a couple of months.

This prolific nature makes them ideal for:

• Building up cleanup crew populations for bioactive setups
• Establishing feeder colonies for insectivorous pets
• Beginners learning the basics of isopod husbandry

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Behaviour

P. echinatus are relatively active isopods with typical Porcellio behaviour patterns.

Typical Behaviours:

• Sheltering under bark and leaf litter during the day
• Increased activity during evening and night
• Congregating in preferred humidity zones
• Feeding on leaf litter and supplemental foods
• Speed-based escape response when disturbed

They're more visible than shy Cubaris species, though they still prefer to spend daylight hours hidden. You'll often find them clustered on the underside of cork bark pieces.

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Bioactive Use

P. echinatus make excellent cleanup crew members for bioactive setups. Their adaptability to different humidity levels makes them suitable for various enclosure types.

Good for:

• Temperate and Mediterranean-style bioactive setups
• Reptile and amphibian enclosures with moderate humidity
• Display terrariums
• General purpose cleanup crews
• Setups where budget is a consideration

Their moderate size means they're less likely to be eaten by smaller reptiles while still being efficient at processing organic waste. Their bumpy texture may also make them less palatable to some predators compared to smoother species.

They work well alongside springtails, which handle fine debris and mould prevention while the isopods tackle larger organic matter.

Who Are These Isopods For?

P. echinatus suit:

• Complete beginners wanting an easy first species
• Keepers on a budget
• Those building bioactive cleanup crews
• Anyone wanting a hardy, prolific breeding colony
• Keepers who appreciate interesting texture over flashy colours

They might not suit:

• Those wanting rare or unusual species
• Keepers seeking dramatic colouration
• Anyone expecting a large, impressive display species

At this price point, there's really no reason not to try them if you're at all interested in keeping Porcellio.

Comparing Standard and Red Edge Morphs

We also stock the Porcellio Echinatus 'Red Edge' morph, which displays attractive red-orange colouration along the lateral margins of the body segments. The care requirements are identical between the standard wild-type and the Red Edge morph. The main differences are:

• Colouration: Standard is grey-brown; Red Edge has distinctive red/orange edging
• Price: Standard is more affordable; Red Edge commands a slightly higher price for the colour morph
• Availability: Standard is more commonly available

Both make excellent choices depending on whether you prioritise affordability or visual appeal.

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 with breeding potential. A care sheet is provided with every order.