Panda King Isopods For Sale

Panda King isopods, which belong to the species of Cubaris, are known for their eye-catching white and black colour combination. This combination has a similar look to that of a Panda, which gave this species the name Panda. They are found to be slightly different when compared to other isopods. These species have an increasing fan base due to their interesting outer structure and lovely features, increasing the demand among pet owners.  

Insight

• Place of Origin: Vietnam
• Scientific Name: Cubaris sp. 'Panda King'
• Maintenance Effort: Medium
• Ideal Temperature Range: 70℉ - 80℉
• General Size:  ~ 1 cm
• Rareness: Low to Medium
• Humidity Range: 70% - 80%
• Preferred Diet: Fruit, vegetables, fish food 
• Supplements in Addition: Cuttlebone, eggshells

Panda King Isopods: Introduction

These isopods are generally observed in limestone caves and belong to central and northern parts of Vietnam. These species prefer to be in an environment which is humid. Isopods of length approximately 1.5 cm are seen generally.

They play a major role in the ecosystem balancing, by feeding on the decaying plants and rotting wood. They supply nutrients to the soil by consuming the decaying matter, maintaining the balance of required nutrients in soil.

Characteristics of Panda King Isopods

• These critters have black and white colour exoskeletons.
• They grow up to 1.5 cm in length. 
• Their striking and adorable features make them one of the most sought-after isopods.
• They are easy to care for and require minimum maintenance.
• They are beginner-friendly.
• They are nocturnal in nature.
• They breed rapidly once established in their habitat.
• They are detritivores in nature.
• It has a soft exoskeleton and is used to feed poison dart frogs and other small animals.
• Vegetables, greens, and fish food are good for maintaining nutrition.
• The consumption of calcium for these isopods is a bit higher than other isopod species.

Feeding for Panda King Isopods

These isopods feed on almost all types of food. They are essentially scavengers and feed on organic waste. However, during confinement in a cage, it is imperative to offer optimal nutrition.

They can be supplemented with vegetables, greens, rotten leaves, or even wood. For calcium and protein, dried shrimp, fish food, cuttlebone, and egg shells are great for these species growth and development. Calcium powder is also good to give as a substitute. 

Most isopod owners make the mistake of overfeeding the isopods. Overfeeding attracts pests into their enclosure. Therefore, it is important to feed the necessary quantity of food. 

Natural Habitat

Panda King isopods live in limestone caves and taverns. These species are commonly found in the central and northern parts of Thailand. In this region, caves are abundant. The caves are dark and humid; therefore, they are suitable for the isopods. 

Panda King isopods are scavengers. They are also found among rotting leaves, fruits and vegetables. These species like to live in dark areas. They are shy in nature and like to burrow and hide.

It is necessary to understand their natural habitat to build an artificial habitat for these isopods.

Panda Kings: Breeding

• Panda King isopods are active species ready to reproduce unless acclimated to their surroundings. 
• Once they adapt to their surroundings, they start producing many offspring. 
• These isopods have a distinct mating ritual where the male isopods transfer sperm into the female's pleopods.
• The offspring hatch after six weeks after the eggs are attached to a firm surface.
• These offspring stay close to their mother, thus forming a small colony.

Artificial Habitat of Panda King Isopods

Panda King isopods thrive in humid environments. They are native to the tropical climates of Asia and need moisture to stay hydrated. Keep them in a small box to help them acclimate to a new environment. Once they're comfortable, transfer them to a plastic box with ventilation. Use deep bedding, including materials like old wood, dried leaves, and moss, for a cosy habitat. 

It is necessary to prevent excess moisture as they may attract pests like mold and fruit flies. To combat this, adding springtails will help keep the environment clean and free of unwanted guests. It's important to keep the humidity right for the well-being of these isopods so they have a comfortable and healthy place to live. So, with proper care and attention to their habitat, you can enjoy the delightful presence of Panda King isopods in your home.

Tank Mates for Panda King Isopods

Panda King isopods like to live in a highly humid environment. Therefore, pairing them with similar invertebrates that appreciate humidity is best. 

It is necessary that tankmates for the isopods should be from the same region as the Panda King. Therefore, invertebrates like snails are the best tank mates in terrarium and vivarium settings.

Another species that is suitable to be paired with is springtails. These creatures, when together, will prevent any kinds of pests and will keep the bioactive clean.

Preferred Substrate Mixture for Panda Kings

A perfect substrate blend for Panda King Isopods is one that is deep, and also holds a lot of moisture. Use a small batch of coco coir, sphagnum moss, and orchid bark for the isopods, with the substrate depth reaching approximately 4 inches for burrowing. 

Magnolia leaves enhance the habitat further, contributing to moisture retention and serving as excellent shelters for Panda King Isopods and their offspring. To mimic their natural surroundings, incorporate cork bark, dried oak leaves, and other elements into the enclosure.

Wooden bark pieces are added to provide hiding spots, and dried leaves are added as food and for aesthetics. Sphagnum moss helps with moisture retention, which is a crucial factor for Panda King Isopods thriving in the environment. Although ventilation is necessary, it should be minimal to maintain the desired humidity gradient within the substrate. It should have both damp and dry areas.

For nutrition, add earthworm castings and limestone powder to replicate their native habitat. This all-rounder substrate mix establishes a solid foundation, offering both sustenance and hydration to the isopods. Striking a balance between the various elements encourages natural behaviours and supports the physical health of Panda King Isopods in captivity. It allows them to thrive in an artificial environment that mimics the conditions of their natural habitat.