Cubaris sp. "White Ducky" is a colour morph of the famous Rubber Ducky isopod, displaying striking white and grey-black colouration instead of the typical yellow. They retain the characteristic "duck face" appearance that made Rubber Duckies so popular, but with a monochrome palette that many collectors find equally—if not more—appealing. Like all Rubber Ducky variants, they're a Cubaris species from Thailand that requires careful attention to humidity and environmental stability. These are not beginner isopods, and their price reflects both their rarity and the care required to maintain them successfully.
A Glimpse
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Origin: Thailand (captive bred colour morph)
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Scientific Name: Cubaris sp. "White Ducky"
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Maintenance required: High
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Average Size: 1.8-2.1 cm
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Rarity: High
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Lifespan: 2-4 years
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Temperature: 20-26°C (68-79°F)
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Ventilation: Low
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Humidity: 70-85%
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Favorite food: Decaying white-rot wood, leaf litter, vegetables
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Supplements: Cuttlefish bone, crushed limestone, protein sources
White Ducky Isopods: Introduction
White Ducky isopods are a colour variant of the Rubber Ducky isopod that has become highly sought after by collectors. Where standard Rubber Duckies display the familiar yellow and grey colouration that earned them their name, White Duckies show bright white or silver-white head and tail regions contrasting with a darker grey to black central body. Many individuals also display caramel or orange arrow-shaped markings pointing toward the head, adding visual interest to the monochrome pattern.
They share the same care requirements as standard Rubber Duckies—which is to say they're demanding. Originating from the humid limestone cave environments of Thailand, they need consistent high humidity, stable temperatures, and calcium-rich substrate. Environmental fluctuations that hardier species would shrug off can stress White Duckies and impact their health and breeding.
This is a species for experienced keepers who have successfully maintained other Cubaris species and understand the specific requirements of cave-dwelling isopods. If you're new to isopods, start with something hardier and work your way up. If you've got the experience and want something genuinely impressive for your collection, White Duckies deliver on visual impact.
White Ducky Isopods: Physical Traits and Characteristics
- Adults reach approximately 1.8-2.1 cm in length—slightly larger than some other Cubaris species
- Bright white or silver-white colouration on the head (cephalon) and tail sections
- Dark grey to black colouration on the central body segments
- Many individuals display caramel or orange arrow-shaped markings pointing toward the head
- Classic "duck face" profile characteristic of Rubber Ducky variants—rounded head shape with prominent eyes
- Robust, rounded body shape
- Ability to conglobate (roll into a tight ball) when threatened
- Pattern and colour intensity can vary between individuals
Behaviour
White Ducky isopods share the typical Cubaris temperament but are noted for being somewhat more visible than some other cave-dwelling species once established.
Settling in: Like all Rubber Ducky variants, they need time to establish in a new enclosure. Expect them to hide initially while they assess their environment. Avoid disturbing them during this period—patience is essential.
Activity levels: Once comfortable, they're reportedly more outgoing than standard Rubber Duckies. You may see them foraging and exploring, particularly in the evenings or at night. However, don't expect constant visibility—they'll still spend significant time hidden.
Burrowing: They're semi-fossorial, meaning they burrow into substrate. This is natural behaviour and should be accommodated with adequate substrate depth.
Defence: When threatened, they roll into a tight ball. Their contrasting colouration makes this particularly striking to observe.
Social behaviour: They do well in groups and display some social interactions. Keeping them in appropriate colony sizes supports natural behaviour.
Diet
White Ducky isopods are detritivores with specific nutritional needs that should be met to maintain health and colouration.
Primary foods:
- White-rotted decaying hardwood (essential—this should be a significant component of their diet and habitat)
- Dried leaf litter (oak, beech, and similar hardwoods)
- Cork bark
Supplementary foods:
- Vegetables: sweet potato, carrot, courgette, butternut squash
- Small amounts of fruit occasionally
- Forest moss and lichens (if available)
Protein: Important for this species—provide protein sources once or twice weekly:
- Dried shrimp or freeze-dried shrimp
- Fish flakes or pellets
- Dried bloodworms
- Freeze-dried insects
Calcium: Critical for Cubaris species from limestone environments. Provide multiple calcium sources:
- Cuttlefish bone (essential)
- Crushed limestone
- Crushed oyster shell
- Powdered eggshells
Their natural habitat includes calcium-rich limestone, so don't skimp on calcium supplementation. It supports healthy moulting, exoskeleton development, and may contribute to maintaining their colouration.
White Ducky Isopods: Breeding
White Ducky isopods breed slowly compared to hardier species, and establishing a breeding colony requires patience.
Breeding basics:
- Females carry eggs in a marsupium and release fully formed juveniles
- Brood sizes are small
- Breeding rate is slow—significantly slower than Porcellio or Armadillidium species
- Maturity takes approximately 6 months
Conditions for breeding:
- Stable, consistent environmental conditions (fluctuations stress them)
- High humidity maintained at 70-85%
- Temperature stability within 20-26°C range
- Abundant calcium availability
- Adequate protein in the diet
- Minimal disturbance
Expectations: Don't expect rapid colony growth. These are slow-breeding isopods that produce small broods. Population building takes time and patience. The price of these isopods reflects this reality—they can't be mass-produced quickly.
Challenges: Breeding failures often result from environmental instability, inadequate humidity, insufficient calcium, or excessive disturbance. Consistency is more important than perfection—stable conditions produce better results than fluctuating "ideal" conditions.
White Ducky Isopods: Habitat Setup
Getting the enclosure right is crucial for this species. They're not forgiving of husbandry mistakes.
Enclosure: A secure plastic container or glass terrarium with limited ventilation. A minimum of 15-20 litres for a starter colony, with larger enclosures (25+ litres) preferable as they allow for better environmental stability and support colony growth. Glass terrariums work well for display.
Substrate: This is critical for Cubaris species. Use a deep, moisture-retentive, calcium-rich substrate:
- Organic topsoil as a base (pesticide-free)
- Sphagnum peat moss mixed in for moisture retention
- Crushed limestone or calcium powder generously incorporated (10% or more of the mix)
- White-rotted hardwood pieces buried throughout
- Decomposing leaf litter worked into the substrate
- Aged cork bark pieces
Substrate depth should be at least 6-8 cm (2.5-3 inches) minimum to accommodate their semi-fossorial behaviour and maintain stable humidity at lower levels. Deeper is better.
Humidity: High humidity is essential—aim for 70-85%. The substrate should remain consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Set up a moisture gradient with approximately 70% of the enclosure kept humid and 30% slightly drier. Use sphagnum moss patches to maintain humidity in the moist zones. Mist regularly to maintain moisture levels.
These isopods are sensitive to humidity fluctuations. Consistent moisture is more important than hitting exact numbers—stability matters most.
Ventilation: Limited ventilation. Too much airflow will dry out the enclosure and make humidity maintenance difficult. Small ventilation holes or minimal mesh is sufficient. The goal is preventing stagnation while retaining humidity.
Décor and hides:
- Cork bark pieces and tubes (essential hiding spots)
- White-rotted hardwood pieces
- Generous sphagnum moss coverage
- Leaf litter on the surface
- Additional bark and wood pieces for varied microhabitats
Provide plenty of hiding options. Multiple retreat areas reduce stress and support natural behaviour.
Temperature: Maintain stable temperatures between 20-26°C. Avoid fluctuations—sudden temperature changes stress these isopods. Room temperature in most UK homes works, but avoid placing enclosures near windows, radiators, or other sources of temperature variation.
Suitability
White Ducky isopods are suitable only for experienced keepers prepared to meet their demanding requirements.
Good choice for:
- Experienced Cubaris keepers wanting a premium species
- Collectors who value rarity and visual impact
- Keepers who can maintain stable, consistent conditions
- Those patient enough for slow breeding
Not suitable for:
- Beginners (start with hardier species first)
- Keepers wanting rapid colony growth
- Those unable to maintain consistent high humidity
- Impatient hobbyists
- Bioactive cleanup crew use (too valuable and slow-breeding)
Care level: High difficulty. These are demanding isopods that require attention to environmental stability, proper nutrition, and patience. Husbandry mistakes that hardier species would tolerate can cause problems with White Duckies.
Value proposition: White Ducky isopods are a premium species with pricing that reflects their rarity, slow breeding, and demanding care. They're collector's isopods—purchased for their visual appeal and the satisfaction of successfully maintaining a challenging species, not for practical bioactive applications. If you want to test your Cubaris-keeping skills with something genuinely impressive, they're worth the investment. If you're not confident in your ability to maintain stable conditions, spend more time with easier Cubaris species first.
