PostPods (145)

Compared to other isopods, Ardentiella tricolour isopods are rarely sighted. They require warmer temperatures and stable environments for their survival. They make a brilliant display species. Tricolour Isopods: A Glimpse ·       Origin: Vietnam ·       Scientific Name: Merulanella sp. ·       Difficulty Level: Medium ·       Size: 13MM to 0.55 IN. ·       Rarity: Low/ Medium ·       Temperature: 20⁰C to 26⁰C ·       Humidity: 60-70% ·       Favourite Foods: Fruits, Vegetables Tricolour Isopods: An Overview Merulanella Tricolour Isopods are a species of terrestrial isopods. They are commonly called pill bugs or woodlice. As the name suggests, they have a very peculiar colouration. They are highly distinct from other species of isopods. They mostly have a tricolour pattern, which includes shades of yellow, black and red. A hard exoskeleton covers their oval-shaped body. They are gifted two pairs of antennae. They have seven pairs of legs. Their natural habitat is found to be around tropical and subtropical regions. Their distribution is thus minimal. They are most likely found in the tropical areas. This limitation in their distribution makes them a less-encountered species of isopods. To feed tricolour isopods, the best options are a mix of vegetables, fruits, and decaying leaves. Fish flakes and commercial isopod food can be provided as supplement feeds. They rely on moist environments for their survival. Tricolour Isopods: Basic Care The following instructions can be helpful in providing the best care for Tricolour isopods. ·       Provide a suitable habitat- Combining organic materials like sphagnum moss, leaf litter and coconut fibre can create a moist substrate ideal for their habitat. ·       Maintaining dampness-Excessive moisture should be avoided as it is harmful for tricolour isopods. ·       Hiding spots- This provides more naturality to the enclosure. They behave more naturally when they feel secure. ·       Temperature- An ideal temperature of 20-26 degree should be maintained. ·       Humidity- Humidity levels should be between 60-70%. ·       Diet- A balanced diet plant matter, invertibrates and fungi should be fed to the isopods to ensure their survival. ·       Specialized diets available in the market can be used to feed them. ·       Monitor the conditions regularly using thermometer and hygrometer. ·       Since they can climb glass and plastic, their enclosures should not have openings near the lids and doors. Tricolour Isopods: Feeding Tricolour isopods are mainly identified as detritivores. They consume organic decaying matter. They can also feed on fruits, vegetables, leaf litter, rotting wood, etc. They are crucial in breaking down dead plant material, contributing to nutrient recycling. To ensure their survival, providing them with an optimal environment is crucial. Leaf litter can be considered an easy source of food. Leaves from different trees can be collected and fed to them in their enclosures. One of the main things to notice while feeding isopods is that the leaves should be pesticide-free. Other organic materials like fruits and vegetables are also considered ideal sources of energy for these isopods. Any food given has to be finely chopped or grated for easy consumption by isopods. Tricolour isopods prefer protein rich foods as well. Crushed dog or cat food, shrimp pellets and fish are highly recommended for the welfare of the isopods. Excess consumption should be avoided in any case. If it happens, it might lead to specific health issues among them. Whatever food the isopods consume, leftovers should be removed immediately. Mold can develop in leftover food, which can cause health issues among the tricolour isopods. Tricolour Isopods: Appearance and Behaviour ·       Tricolour isopods grow up to 0.55 Inches in length. ·       The species' major color combinations are red, yellow and black. ·       They make for a great display. ·       They are found in groups of five to six. ·       They require more warmer temperatures when compared to other isopod species. ·       If kept under optimal conditions, they are adorable as pets. ·       Once a colony is established for them, they live for a considerable period. ·       Tricolour isopods are considered as prolific breeders. A single female produces a large number of females. ·       Monitoring the reproductive patterns of these isopods is vital, as they are considered vulnerable in their reproductive phase. Tricolour Isopods: Habitat Providing an ideal habitat for tricolour isopods is fundamental for their survival. As pets, they make for a great display. An optimal environment has to be maintained in their enclosures to maintain their beautiful features and colour-patterns in their body. Tricolour isopods survive in the ideal temperature of 20-27⁰C (70-78⁰F). Any temperature above or below this temperature can mess with their metabolism. Regular monitoring of temperature is required to maintain the optimal levels of temperature. The use of a thermometer is preferred for this. It is highly advised to use a heat map or heat lamp to regulate the levels. People who make enclosures for tricolour isopods should also consider the required humidity levels. The ideal humidity level for the species is between 70-80%. A humidifier should be used to mist the enclosure daily. At the same time, excess moisture should be avoided. If the enclosure is moisturized excessively, mold growth might occur, which is harmful for the tricolour isopods. Along with a humidifier, a hygrometer should also be used to maintain the optimal humidity range. Tricolour isopods are omnivorous creatures. They feed on a variety of organic matter, including decayed fruits and vegetables, shrimp pellets, fish, etc. They are known for their ability to crawl on both glass and plastic. Hence, the tiny gaps that might appear between doors and glasses should be sealed. Tricolour Isopods: Substrate Mix A substrate is an ideal substance that aids the growth of an organism. It can help provide or maintain the optimal environment for your pet creatures. In the case of tricolour isopods, using the correct substrate mixture is crucial. The mixture should be provided accordingly since these isopods are mainly found in tropical climatic conditions. Tricolour isopods require a substrate that retains moisture. Leaf litter is seen as the most ideal form of substrate for this purpose. Leaves can be easily collected from a variety of trees to provide the ideal shelter for tricolour isopods. However, these leaves should be free of pesticides or chemicals. Additionally, sphagnum moss and coconut fiber can be utilized for their survival. In their ideal condition, hiding spots are also necessary. This substrate mixture of coconut fibre, leaf litter, and sphagnum moss offers natural hiding spots for the isopods. This creates a homely feeling for the isopods, who feel that they are in their natural habitats. Too much dampening of the substrate mix is not advisable in any enclosures. Care should be taken when using substrate mix, as it could cause waterlogging. Such scenarios should be avoided at all costs to ensure the survival of tricolour isopods.

One of the most fascinating Spanish isopods, the Venezillo Parvis Isopods, are dwarf-sized species that originates from the Southwest European region. Native to Europe, they make an outstanding option for beginners as well as isopod enthusiasts. Venezillo Parvis Isopods are very popular among children due to their low maintenance and upkeep needs.  A Glimpse Origin: Spain Scientific Name: Venezillo Parvis Isopods Difficulty Level: Medium Size: Dwarf Rarity: High Temperature: 70°F to 80℉ Humidity: 70% to 85% Favorite Foods: Decaying Wood, Cucumber, Squash, Carrots An Overview Venezillo Parvis Isopods are not rarely found as compared to other isopods of the same species. These Southwest European natives are renowned for their cleanup crew abilities that can help maintain a healthy environment within an enclosure.    Venezillo Parvis Isopods have a cream color and markings. They are suitable novice keepers and distinguished collectors. They need an enclosure with a moist environment in order to thrive.    They have a very impressive appearance. They make good pets because of their limited amount of care. You can use naturalistic and bioactive terrariums to house them.    Feeding Venezillo Parvis Isopods is very convenient. These isopods feed on many different types of foods like vegetables, plant matter, and calcium-rich foods. Minimize any exposure to severe conditions of weather. Basic Care You can use the following instructions and tips to provide the best care to the Venezillo Parvis Isopods. You can use glass vivariums and terrariums for housing Venezillo Parvis Isopods. You can use a substrate mix to prevent excessive humidity loss.  It is necessary to ensure humidity stays within 70 to 80 per cent inside.  Don’t keep the enclosure in direct sunlight. Feeding Venezillo Parvis Isopods are critical decomposers. They mostly consume calcium bones and eggshells. They also feed on a variety of food items like cucumbers and carrots. In moist environments, any leftover food can rapidly deteriorate. This can encourage mold growth. Therefore, it is recommended to provide only the amount of food that the Venezillo Parvis Isopods can consume in one feeding session. Appearance And Behavior Venezillo Parvis Isopods is one dwarf-sized isopod. It can sometimes be unnoticeable inside the terrarium.  These isopods have a unique creamish color. They have markings at distances on their body. Venezillo Parvis Isopods make aesthetically appealing pets. They are quite easy to maintain.  Venezillo Parvis Isopods can roll up into a ball. They love to hide and burrow deep into the soil. They can improve soil structure inside the enclosure. Habitat Venezillo Parvis Isopods thrive in moist environments. Maintaining adequate ventilation throughout the enclosure is essential. Utilize an appropriate substrate mix with abundant biodegradables to minimize moisture loss.  Substrate Mix Since Venezillo Parvis Isopods grow in humid environments, the substrate mix can include a thick leaf litter layer and rotten wood. You can add various barks to the substrate. You can even add oyster shells, egg shells, and moss inside the enclosure. They enjoy living in hiding spots and burrow deep. Make sure you create a suitable environment for them.

Isopods are excellent pets, tiny. From land to ocean, they live in various habitats, serving as nature cleaners. Some isopod species are rarer and more unique than others. Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods is a rare pillbug famous for its distinctive pale coloration. Terrestrial isopods are found in Greece, Japan, and North America. Keeping them as pets is easy if you provide the requirements. Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: A Glimpse Origin: North America, Greece, Japan Scientific Name: Armadillidium vulgare "T+ Albino Difficulty: Easy/moderate Rarity: Rare Temperature: 21-24°C Size: Up to 2 cm Humidity: Medium Favourable Foods: Decaying plants, occasional fruits, fish flakes, dead insects, and leaf litter. An Overview Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods, mainly from North America, are also found in Japan and Greece. Though they are found in only a few countries, unlike many isopods, which have a single origin place, Vulgare T+ Albino is a rare breed.  This isopod, too, has a peculiarity that differentiates it from other species: its pale yellow or white color. The “T+ Albino” has a genetic mutation that affects pigment production, resulting in a light coloration, and the letter “T+” in the name stands for tyrosinase-positive. Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods thrive in warm, dry vivariums. Unlike other isopod species, high humidity doesn’t suit Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods as they prefer less moisture. Also, high humidity causes molting problems. Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: Basic Care Providing basic care keeps your isopods happy and healthy. The foremost care tip for isopods is maintaining a certain humidity level.  A well-ventilated enclosure plays an important role in their growth; with the temperature ranging between 21°C and 24°C. Create a balanced environment because Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods are sensitive to extreme conditions.  Mist the enclosure regularly to maintain the necessary humidity. However, avoid waterlogging, as it leads to mold growth. Use leaf litter and bark pieces to create hiding spots. This will make your isopods feel secure and also encourage their natural behaviors. Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: Feeding Detritivores in nature, Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods feed on decomposing organic matter. To ensure that you are feeding them a proper diet, include decaying plant material like rotting wood, vegetables like squash, potatoes, and carrots, and for a calcium source, add cuttlebone. All this food ensures their proper growth and boosts their reproduction. You can also feed the fish flakes and dead insects like crickets and mealworms. Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: Appearance and Behaviour Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods are popular for their pale yellow or white coloration due to the tyrosinase-positive mutation.  Mainly nocturnal, these isopods are active at night and sleep during daytime. Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods curl into a ball if threatened. A defense mechanism that protects their soft underbelly from predators. Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: Habitat Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods are found in moist areas rich in organic matter. Creating a similar habitat keeps your isopods in good health and meets their requirements and you can use a moist substrate composed of coconut coir, peat moss, and organic soil. It also maintains the right humidity and temperature levels within the enclosure.  Vulgare T+ Albino Isopods: Substrate Mix A perfect substrate mix is a way to ensure the health of your isopods. To prepare that perfect substrate, combine coconut coir and organic soil, which retains moisture and allows proper drainage. Along with this, leaf litter, sphagnum moss, and decaying wood add nutrients to the substrate mix. If you also want to supplement calcium, add cuttlebone and crushed eggshells. Also, maintain the substrate regularly so your isopods can live in a fresh environment.

  A great introduction to tropical isopods, with a charming species, that is more prolific in terms of breeding than other Cubaris sp. White Panda Kings are almost entirely white, with a darker strip along the dorsal line, allowing them to stand out against most substrates. Beyond that, they have the appealing features that make Cubaris sp. so popular.   • Origin: Vietnam     • Scientific Name: Cubaris Sp ‘Panda King’     • Difficulty Level: Medium     • Size:  10 to 18mm     • Rarity: Moderately Rare     • Temperature:  22°C to 28°C     • Humidity: 60% to 75%     • Diet: Leaf litter, decaying wood, vegetables   If you're not a beginner you might be looking for a breeding project. If Cubaris sp. Have similar genetics to other isopod species it is likely that this white colouration is a recessive gene. In some species, this white gene when combined with other genes can cause orange, variegated, or mottled patterns. Even better if you combine two colours and the offspring are the original wild-type colour you will still get a stunning isopod.   Their diet needs to include some fruit, vegetables and a good quality fish food, and they do require a little higher in terms of calcium, probably due to their natural niche being in limestone caves, meaning that nearly everything will be rich in calcium.    They seem to like burrowing, or at least hiding away in leaves, so provide a reasonably deep layer of substrate and leaf litter. Cork bark and wood will be appreciated, used, and eventually broken down.    Whilst these are mostly nocturnal, once they have settled in and started breeding you will see them out and about.

Highly sought-after species with dramatic yellow colouration and bold black markings. Thrives at a wider range of temperatures than most.     • Origin: Southeast Asia - largely found in tropical forests in Thailand     • Scientific Name: Cubaris. sp Yellow Tiger     • Difficulty Level: Medium     • Size: 1.2-1.5cm     • Rarity: Very Rare     • Temperature: 72-78F     • Humidity: 75-85%     • Diet:  Another relative newcomer to the world of isopod-keeping Yellow Tiger Isopods should be on any moderately experienced or experienced keepers' list of must-have isopods. With their stunning colours and growing to about 22mm, they're larger than many other species.  They need a higher humidity than some other isopods, and this may point to their origin location in caves or deep undergrowth. Coming from Thailand they share many similarities with other Cubaris species and can be shy and retiring at first, but once their numbers start to grow they will start to come out more. Get as large a group as you can, and they will start to multiply, giving you a large colony faster than you might think.  Aim to keep over half the enclosure humid and feed a varied diet based on leaf litter, Yellow Tiger Isopods are a true tropical isopod. When you think of these think of the humid jungles of Thailand, caves so big they have their own microclimates, and lush vegetation that still to this day hides secrets. Think of all the food sources that they would have access to in the wild, and try to provide something close to that. Although I'm sure you can skip the Durian.  Many isopod keepers have been introduced to the hobby by Cubaris species, but these seem to fly under the radar compared to others. They’re well worth the investment to add something a little more dramatic to your collection.

Isopods as pets are becoming extremely popular among the masses.  But if you want an easy-to-care species, choose Ying Yang isopods. Found rarely in other species of isopod, Ying Yang isopods can adapt to different environments, making it ideal even for a novice to have it as a pet.  Ying Yang Isopods: A Glimpse Origin: Europe Scientific Name: Porcellio Scaber "Ying Yang" Difficulty: Easy Temperature: 18–26°C Rarity: Not rare Size: Up to 1.7 cm Humidity: 70-80% Favorable Foods: Leafy Greens, Mushrooms, Carrots, Decaying wood An Overview Ying Yang isopods originated in Europe, but they are not rare like other species. They also have striking black, orange, and red patterns that are uncommon in the isopod world. You can find them in pet shops or online sites that deal with these creatures easily. Though the size of isopods depends on their ideal environment, Ying Yang isopods survive in any ambiance and grow up to 1.7 cm long. Looking like molten lava, these species become a more fascinating creature, which can be kept a terrarium if the moisture level is thoroughly maintained.  Ying Yang Isopods: Basic Care We have detailed a few tips that you should follow to care for your isopods. Feed them leafy greens and other decaying matter because it is essential for their development. Use a paludarium or terrarium to keep your isopods. But ensure it has a secure lid to trap moisture and heat.  Set up a semi-moist vivarium where your isopods can live comfortably. But maintain the right temperature and humidity.  You should use the right substrate mix for your isopods. For Ying Yang isopod, anything which retains moisture like peat moss and coconut coir.  You must ensure the terrarium receives proper lighting as it is essential for their bioPeatate hiding spots. Using leaves or bark for Ying Yang isopods, your isopods feel safe. Ying Yang Isopods: Feeding Ying Yang isopods need a balanced diet to maintain their health and stay healthy. You can feed them various organic foods like fruits, mushrooms, decaying plant matter, and vegetables that benefit their health. Besides that, please provide them with protein-rich foods like organic plant scraps and dried vegetables twice a week. Ying Yang Isopods: Appearance & Behaviour Ying Yang isopods are smaller than other isopods. They are only 1.7 cm, making them suitable for small enclosures.  These isopods are among the best-looking creatures. Their exoskeletons have attractive black, orange, or red patterns. They have 14 legs to move fast and climb rough surfaces in their natural habitat. Ying Yang isopods thrive in low to moderate humidity. But they can adjust to different environments. As a nocturnal species, they prefer to live in the dark during the day and come out to come at night.  Ying Yang Isopods: Habitat These isopods need an environment that mimics their original habitat, which is dark and humid. Maintaining the habitat is even more important than creating one. To preserve their habitat, add moist soil, damp leaf litter, and decaying wood. The substrate mix is equally important for regulating their natural habitat.  Ying Yang Isopods: Substrate Mix Isopods need a good substrate mix. You cannot make your isopods healthy unless you meet this requirement. Items like coconut fiber, sphagnum moss, peat moss, and leaf litter help them to thrive. Also, add plant matter and decaying wood for added nutrition. This will allow them to thrive and reproduce faster. By maintaining their habitat, you can keep your isopods active.