The vibrant orange morph of the classic Powder isopod—hardy, prolific, and one of the most popular beginner species in the hobby.
Powder Orange Isopods: A Glimpse
-
Origin: Mediterranean, Southern Europe
-
Scientific Name: Porcellionides pruinosus
-
Difficulty Level: Very Easy
-
Size: Up to 1.5cm
-
Rarity: Low
-
Temperature: 18°C to 29°C
-
Humidity: 50% to 70% (moderate)
-
Favorite Foods: Leaf litter, decaying wood, vegetables, protein supplements
-
Supplements: Cuttlebone, limestone, crushed eggshells
Powder Orange Isopods: An Overview
The Powder Orange is one of the most recognisable and widely kept isopod morphs in the hobby. Derived from selective breeding of Porcellionides pruinosus, this colour morph displays warm orange tones that contrast beautifully against dark substrate and create an eye-catching display in any enclosure.
P. pruinosus originates from the Mediterranean region but has become cosmopolitan through human activity. The scientific name translates roughly to "little pig covered in frost"—a reference to both the rounded body shape and the distinctive powdery texture of their exoskeleton. The Powder Orange morph was developed from the original Powder Blue through selective breeding for orange colouration.
These are genuinely one of the easiest isopod species to keep. Their tolerance for a wide range of conditions, prolific breeding, and voracious appetites make them ideal for beginners while remaining useful for experienced keepers building bioactive setups. The combination of striking colour and bulletproof hardiness explains their enduring popularity.
Currently on sale at £6 for 10 (down from £10), these represent exceptional value for such a vibrant, easy-to-keep species.
Powder Orange Isopods: Appearance
The defining feature is obviously the colour—warm orange tones ranging from pale peachy-tangerine to deeper, richer rust-orange depending on the individual and breeding line. The intensity can vary, with some specimens displaying vivid, almost glowing orange while others show softer, more muted tones.
Like all P. pruinosus, they have the characteristic powdery or velvety texture to their exoskeleton that gives the "Powder" isopods their name. This matte, frosted appearance comes from microscopic texturing on the carapace. The powder actually serves a functional purpose, increasing hydrophobicity and helping with moisture management.
Adults reach approximately 1-1.5cm in length, making them a small to medium-sized isopod. They have soft bodies compared to harder-shelled species like Armadillidium—they cannot roll into a ball when threatened and instead rely on their considerable speed to escape danger.
Juveniles may appear slightly paler initially, with colour deepening as they mature through successive moults. Just before moulting, specimens often display a particularly pronounced powdery appearance.
Powder Orange Isopods: Basic Care
These are about as close to "bulletproof" as isopods get. Their adaptability to various conditions makes them extremely forgiving of beginner mistakes.
Temperature: Room temperature works perfectly. They're comfortable anywhere from 18°C to 29°C, with around 21-25°C being ideal. They can tolerate temperature fluctuations that would stress more sensitive species.
Humidity: Moderate humidity (50-70%) suits them well. They're more tolerant of drier conditions than many isopod species, provided they have access to a moist area. Create a humidity gradient with one corner kept damper than the rest, allowing isopods to self-regulate their moisture exposure.
Ventilation: Moderate ventilation through small holes prevents stagnant conditions while maintaining humidity. They don't need aggressive airflow, but some air exchange helps prevent mould.
Lighting: Low light preferred, though they're notably more diurnal (daytime active) than many isopod species. You'll see them active during daylight hours as well as at night.
Powder Orange Isopods: Feeding
P. pruinosus have appetites that seem disproportionate to their small size. This voracious feeding behaviour is exactly what makes them such effective bioactive cleaners.
Primary Food Sources:
- Mixed hardwood leaf litter (oak, beech, hazel—pesticide-free)
- Decaying softwood
- Rotting bark
Supplemental Foods:
- Vegetables (carrot, courgette, sweet potato, cucumber, spinach)
- Occasional fruit
- Fish flakes or pellets for protein
- Freeze-dried shrimp
- Meat scraps (sparingly)
- Commercial isopod diets
Calcium Sources: Essential for healthy moulting and exoskeleton maintenance:
- Cuttlebone pieces
- Limestone chips
- Crushed eggshells
- Calcium powder
Feeding Caution: While they need plenty of food to support their fast metabolism and breeding, avoid overfeeding with fresh foods. Uneaten vegetables attract pests like fungus gnats and mites. Provide only what can be consumed within 24-48 hours and remove any uneaten fresh items promptly.
Powder Orange Isopods: Substrate Mix
A moisture-retentive substrate with good structure works well. They're adaptable and not fussy about exact composition.
A suitable mix might include:
- Coconut coir or peat moss as a moisture-retentive base
- Organic topsoil mixed through
- Sphagnum moss (especially in the moist area)
- Decaying softwood pieces
- Generous leaf litter as a top layer
- Optional: earthworm castings for additional nutrition
Substrate depth of around 5-7cm is adequate. While P. pruinosus are primarily surface-active and don't burrow extensively, some depth allows for shelter and moisture regulation.
Powder Orange Isopods: Enclosure Setup
A straightforward setup suits this adaptable species. Nothing elaborate is required to keep them thriving.
Container Size: A 3-6 litre container works well for a starter colony of 10. Larger purchases (50-100) will need bigger enclosures or can be divided across multiple containers.
Moisture Gradient: Create distinct moisture zones. Keep one area with damp sphagnum moss while the remainder stays drier. This is important—they need access to moisture but shouldn't be kept uniformly wet.
Hides: Cork bark pieces, wood, and leaf litter provide shelter. While Powder Oranges are more visible than many species, they still appreciate hiding spots.
Ventilation: Small holes on alternating sides of the container provide adequate airflow without excessive drying.
Security: These are fast isopods. Ensure lids are secure with no gaps—they will find and exploit escape routes that slower species would ignore.
Cohabitation: Powder Oranges live well alongside springtails, which help control mould and process fine debris. Some keepers also house them with terrestrial snails in larger, humid setups.
Powder Orange Isopods: Breeding
P. pruinosus are famous for prolific breeding. Provide basic care and they'll multiply without any special encouragement.
Breeding Process:
- Males transfer a spermatophore to females during mating
- Females store sperm and fertilise eggs internally
- Eggs develop in the female's marsupium (brood pouch)—visible as a whitish area between the legs
- Fully-formed juveniles emerge from the marsupium
- Juveniles moult through several stages before reaching adulthood
What to Expect:
- Rapid reproduction once established
- Large brood sizes
- Sub-adults beginning to breed before reaching full size
- Potentially explosive population growth in good conditions
- Lifespan of 1-2 years, though captive specimens may live longer with consistent care
Colony growth can be remarkably fast. A starter culture of 10 can multiply many times over within months under good conditions. This prolific nature is one reason they're so popular as cleanup crews—they quickly establish self-sustaining populations that maintain themselves indefinitely.
Powder Orange Isopods: Behaviour
These are notably active, energetic isopods with distinctive behavioural traits.
Typical Behaviours:
- Extremely fast—among the quickest isopods commonly kept
- More diurnal than many species, active during daylight as well as at night
- Surface-dwelling, spending most time in upper substrate layers
- Voracious feeding, often descending on food in groups
- Cannot roll into a ball—flee rapidly when disturbed
- Social creatures that thrive in groups
- Non-aggressive toward each other and enclosure inhabitants
Their combination of daytime activity and surface-dwelling habits means you'll see plenty of them. Watching a group of bright orange isopods moving across dark substrate is genuinely engaging—they're more entertaining to observe than many "fancier" species that spend most of their time hidden.
Handling Note: While non-aggressive and harmless, their soft bodies and speed make them unsuitable for regular handling. They're best observed rather than picked up. Young children should be supervised, as the isopods can be accidentally injured.
Powder Orange Isopods: Bioactive Use
Powder Oranges are among the most popular and effective bioactive cleanup crew isopods available.
Excellent for:
- Tropical and humid bioactive setups
- Temperate enclosures with moderate humidity
- Reptile and amphibian vivariums
- Display terrariums
- Any setup where rapid waste processing is desired
Why they excel as cleanup crews:
- Voracious appetites efficiently process waste, decaying matter, mould, and uneaten food
- Prolific breeding maintains population without intervention
- Surface-active nature means they encounter and process waste quickly
- Bright colour adds visual interest to the enclosure
- Soft bodies are palatable if pets occasionally snack on them
- Adaptable to various enclosure conditions
Their soft exoskeletons make them suitable as occasional snacks for insectivorous pets like frogs and small lizards. The rapid reproduction compensates for any predation, and in smaller enclosures, some predation actually helps control population numbers.
Powder Orange Isopods: Comparing Powder Morphs
The Powder Orange is one of numerous colour morphs within the P. pruinosus species. All share identical care requirements.
Other P. pruinosus morphs we stock:
All P. pruinosus morphs can interbreed. If you want to maintain pure orange colouration, keep them separate from other morphs. If you don't mind colour mixing, they can be combined for a more varied display.
Who Are These Isopods For?
Powder Orange Isopods suit:
- Complete beginners wanting a forgiving first species
- Keepers seeking effective bioactive cleanup crews
- Anyone wanting fast population growth
- Those who appreciate visible, colourful isopods
- Bioactive enthusiasts on a budget
- Children interested in keeping isopods (with handling supervision)
They might not suit:
- Those wanting large, impressive display specimens
- Keepers preferring calm, slow-moving species
- Anyone seeking rare or unusual species
The combination of vibrant colour, easy care, and prolific breeding makes Powder Oranges an excellent choice for almost any keeper. There's a reason they remain one of the most popular isopods in the hobby despite all the fancier options available.
What's Included
Each order contains healthy Powder Orange specimens selected from our breeding stock. We include a mix of sizes to give your colony immediate breeding potential. Bulk options (50, 100) are available for those establishing larger bioactive setups or wanting rapid population establishment.
