Amber Ducky Isopods For Sale

Cubaris isopods, especially the Amber Ducky isopods, are among the most popularly sold low-maintenance pets worldwide. These isopods are native to the South East Asian region and have earned popularity beyond the Asian boundaries.

Amber Ducky Isopods: A Glimpse

• Origin: Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan
• Scientific Name: Cubaris Sp. Amber Duckys
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Size: 1 to 2 cm
• Life Span: Two to three years
• Temperature: 70 to 80°F
• Favorite Foods: Fish flakes, sweet potatoes, carrots, zucchini, etc. 

Amber Ducky Isopods: An Overview

These isopods are originally from parts of Asia like Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, etc. They go by the scientific name Cubaris Sp. Amber Ducky and the common terms are amber isopods, amber ducky isopods, etc.

They are nocturnal creatures that are relatively smaller in size. They are widely used as beginner-friendly pets and feeders. They are characterized by their cleaning nature and tendency to aerate the soil they live in.

The ‘Amber’ part of the name Amber Ducky refers to the body color of the isopods. They feature a unique brown/ golden yellow color that reminds amber. They are natively found in mangrove forests and tropical rainforests in and around Asia.

Basic Care

Here are some pointers on the primary care that the pet owner has to provide these isopods.

• The temperature of the enclosure should always be kept moderate. The ideal temperature for these isopodsis between seventy- and eighty degrees Fahrenheit.

• The environment of the enclosure should always be humid. However, the owner needs to ensure the enclosure does not turn damp.

• A semi-dry, semi-wet environment is the preferable habitat for an Amber Ducky isopod.

• The enclosure of Amber Ducky need not have bright lights. It is ideal to keep the lights low inside the enclosure.

• Humidity inside the enclosure can be maintained at around 65%.

• Airflow or ventilation should always be minimal for an the enclosure generall however during the breeding time, they prefers a bit more airflow. So, the arrangements should be adjusted accordingly.

• The ideal pH inside the enclosure is 7.0.

Feeding

These isopods have a relatively large appetite for their small size. The diet of Amber isopods pretty much similar to the other isopods, who prefer dead and decaying organic matter as the primary food.

Rotten wood, mosses, lichens, leaf litter, etc., are the most common food items in their diets. But Amber Ducky isopods are known as cleaners, and they consume almost everything, including the droppings of other animals in a shared enclosure.

Still, they have some favorite foods. Some of them are as follows.

• Sweet potatoes
• Fish flakes
• Squash
• Zucchini
• Carrot
• Dried crickets
• Decaying wood
• Decaying leaf litter, etc.

One of the most important things to note regarding the diet of these isopods is that it has a special Calcium requirement that aids its growth and reproduction. The owner has to supplement these isopods with proper Calcium supplements now and then.

The best way to provide enough Calcium to the Amber Ducky isopod enclosure is to sprinkle powdered cuttlebones once a couple of weeks.

Protein is another major nutrient that Amber Ducky isopods need, and the owner should ensure it. Fish flakes are a great source of protein for Amber Ducky isopods.

Appearance and Behaviour

Amber Ducky isopods are relatively small crustaceans.Amber Duckys usually grow up to about two centimeters. They have a body that is divided into seven different segments. 

The color of these isopods is indeed bright with golden yellow, orange, and brown. A dark stripe runs down the body of the Amber Ducky isopods. The head of these isopods features two antennae and two pincers.

Amber Ducky isopods have two pairs of tiny legs. These legs are helpful for them in burrowing, digging, walking, etc. An exclusive feature of these isopods is the presence of several hind legs named pleopods.

Amber Ducky isopods have four pleopods. Pleopods are mainly helpful for the isopods in swimming. Pleopods also help with the water flow regulation through the gills of the isopods.

Habitat

• The natural habitat of Amber Duckys are mangrove forests and tropical rainforests, which are high in humidity and have a semi-wet soil surface.

• They usually prefer humid, damp, and dark places where they can feed on organic matter.

• For housing isopods, you can use any thick plastic container with enough vent holes - we personally recommend using Wham Crystal tubs and we drill holes into them and add in vents purchased from our friend Tom over at Exotic Empire.

Substrate Mix

The substrate mix in the enclosure provides food for the isopods. So, it must be high in quality. It is essential to lay the substrate mix a few millimeters thick in the enclosure, thie allows them to burrow but also makes it easier to control the humidity gradient in the enclosure too.

The ideal substrate mix for Amber Duckys is a mix of forest humus, lime, and rot wood. The substrate should be damp enough. But make sure that it is not getting dripping wet. To retain the moisture, the owner can use a layer of leaf litter and moss.

The ideal leaves used on the substrate mix of Amber Ducky isopods are as follows.

• Oak
• Beech
• Maple
• Chestnut

Below the substrate mix layer, it is ideal to lay a layer of cuttlefish bits and fodder lime powder. These can nourish the isopods with the required nutrients and minerals.