Penguin Isopods / Cubaris White Side (Cubaris sp.) for Sale

Penguin Isopods — also widely sold as Cubaris White Side — are one of the most accessible and affordable Cubaris species available in the UK hobby. The distinctive penguin-like colouration (dark grey-to-black body with bright white margins along each segment edge, plus white markings on the head and rear) genuinely resembles the seabird that gives them their nickname. Some sellers also list them as "Pinguin" or "Orca" — all referring to the same species with the same striking high-contrast appearance.

What makes Penguin/White Side particularly worth keeping is the combination: genuine Cubaris visual appeal at the most accessible pricing in the entire Cubaris range, paired with notably forgiving care that makes them the recommended starting point for keepers wanting their first Thai cave Cubaris experience. They're widely described by experienced keepers as "one of the easiest Cubaris species for a beginner" — meaningful praise given how demanding many Cubaris can be.

Penguins also hold a notable place in Cubaris history. They were among the very first Cubaris species widely available in the UK and global hobby — predating the 2017 Rubber Ducky explosion that transformed the entire Cubaris market. Their discovery helped open the door to the many Thai and Vietnamese Cubaris species now available to collectors.

Available in groups of 10, 20, or 50. Captive-bred stock from established UK colonies. Currently on sale at 58% off (£12.50 for 10, reduced from £30) — exceptional value for a genuine Cubaris species.

Quick Care Summary

• Scientific Name: Cubaris sp. 'White Side' / 'Penguin'
• Common Names: Penguin Isopod, White Side Isopod, Pinguin, Orca, Cubaris White Side
• Family: Armadillidae
• Origin: Southeast Asia — Thailand/Cambodia limestone karst environments (sources vary; some list Vietnam)
• Adult Size: 8–15 mm (around 10 mm typical) — smaller than many popular Cubaris
• Lifespan: 1–2 years typical
• Difficulty: Easy — among the most accessible Cubaris species
• Temperature: 20–28°C (25°C optimal for breeding)
• Humidity: 55–80% with moisture gradient (70/30 wet-to-dry split)
• Ventilation: Medium — balance airflow with humidity retention
• Conglobation: Yes — rolls into a tight ball when disturbed
• Behaviour: Nocturnal, social, gregarious, active burrowers
• Breeding: Slow to establish then moderately prolific — typical Cubaris pattern

What Makes Penguin / White Side Isopods Special

Several factors have made Penguin/White Side one of the most enduringly popular accessible Cubaris in the UK hobby:

Genuinely striking penguin-like colouration. The dark grey-to-black body with white margins along each segment, plus white markings on the head, rear, and underside, creates immediate visual contrast. The penguin comparison isn't marketing stretch — the colour distribution genuinely resembles the seabird. Some sellers use "Orca" as an alternative trade name, which captures the same high-contrast black-and-white appeal.

One of the most accessible Cubaris species. This is the central practical advantage. Where premium Cubaris like Rubber Ducky or Cappuccino can be notoriously sensitive and expensive, Penguin/White Side offer genuine Cubaris visual appeal at the most accessible Cubaris pricing in your range. The current sale price (£12.50 for 10) makes them outright affordable rather than premium-tier.

Notably forgiving for a Cubaris. Experienced keepers consistently describe them as "hardy" and "adaptable" compared to other Cubaris species. They tolerate humidity fluctuations better than premium morphs, recover from minor husbandry mistakes more reliably, and don't require the precision care that ultra-demanding Cubaris demand. They're not bulletproof — they're still tropical Cubaris needing appropriate conditions — but they're meaningfully more forgiving than the demanding end of the genus.

Historical significance. Penguin/White Side were among the first Cubaris species widely available in the hobby — predating the 2017 Rubber Ducky boom that transformed the entire Cubaris market. Keeping them connects you to the foundation species that opened the door for everything that followed.

Social, gregarious behaviour. Like other Cubaris, they thrive in colony settings rather than as isolated pairs. Larger starter colonies (20+ individuals) establish faster and breed more reliably than minimum starter groups. The social grooming and foraging behaviour adds interest to colony observation.

Active burrowers. They dig effectively and use deep substrate, locking in body moisture and creating natural colony structure. Deep substrate (15 cm / 6 inches) genuinely matters for this species, not just minimum coverage.

Conglobation. Like all Cubaris, they roll into tight defensive balls when disturbed — adding character to colony observation and complementing their striking colouration.

Stepping stone to more demanding Cubaris. Master Penguin/White Side, build Cubaris husbandry experience, and you're positioned to attempt more demanding species like Rubber Duckies, Lemon Blues, or rare morphs. Many serious Cubaris keepers started with this species before progressing.

How Penguin / White Side Compare to Other Cubaris

If you're choosing between Cubaris species, here's how Penguin/White Side fit in:

• vs Cubaris murina (Little Sea): Murina are the absolute entry-level wild-type Cubaris — even cheaper than Penguin, even more prolific, but visually less striking. Penguins offer better visual appeal with similarly accessible care. Either makes a sensible first Cubaris.
• vs Panda King: Panda Kings have bolder, more contrasting black-and-white panda patterning and are slightly larger. Penguins have more subtle skirted white margins. Similar care difficulty — choose based on visual preference and budget (Penguins are typically cheaper).
• vs Pak Chong: Pak Chong are larger tricoloured Cubaris (blue-grey/white/orange) at higher prices. Penguins are smaller with simpler black-and-white colouration at accessible pricing. Different tiers — Penguins for entry-level, Pak Chong for stepping up.
• vs Red Edge: Red Edge have dramatic red skirting on dark bodies and are also accessible Cubaris. Penguins have white skirting instead of red. Both are recommended gateway Cubaris with similar care — choose based on which colour scheme appeals more.
• vs Rubber Ducky: Rubber Duckies are the iconic premium Cubaris — much more expensive, harder to keep, slower-breeding. Penguins offer entry-level Cubaris experience at a fraction of the price. Many keepers use Penguins to develop Cubaris experience before attempting Rubber Duckies.

Browse the full Cubaris collection to compare all options.

Setting Up the Enclosure

A 6–8 litre plastic container or small glass terrarium works well for a starter colony of 10–20. Plastic tubs with clip-lock lids hold humidity reliably and are easy to maintain. Glass terrariums offer better display value if you want to showcase the penguin colouration.

For ventilation, drill multiple small holes on opposite sides of the container to create cross-ventilation. Medium ventilation works well — enough airflow to prevent stagnation but not so much that humidity drops below their preferred range. Cover holes with fine mesh to prevent escapes.

Keep the enclosure in a dim, quiet area — Penguin/White Side prefer low-light conditions reflecting their cave-dwelling origins. Direct sunlight or bright artificial lighting causes stress.

Browse our accessories collection for appropriate enclosures, vents, and other essentials.

Substrate — Depth Matters for This Species

Penguin/White Side are active burrowers and benefit from notably deep substrate — significantly deeper than typical Armadillidium or Porcellio setups.

Recommended substrate depth: 15 cm (6 inches) minimum. This isn't just a guideline — they actively dig down to lock in body moisture and feel secure. Shallow substrate forces them to the surface where they're more stressed and less likely to breed successfully.

Substrate composition:

• Organic topsoil base (pesticide-free)
• Sphagnum peat moss for moisture retention
• Forest humus or coconut coir for tropical authenticity
• Crushed limestone or eggshells mixed throughout — essential for cave-origin Cubaris
• Decaying hardwood pieces incorporated into substrate
• Flake soil for added nutrition and structure

Top layer: Generous hardwood leaf litter — magnolia leaves for long-lasting cover work particularly well. Add multiple cork bark hides spread throughout the enclosure. The more hiding options available, the more secure the colony feels and the more visible they become over time.

Humidity and the Moisture Gradient

Maintain humidity at 55–80% with a clear moisture gradient. Penguin/White Side benefit from approximately 70% moist/damp side and 30% drier side:

• The moist 70%: Sphagnum moss patches and damp leaf litter. Keep consistently damp through misting or pouring water along this side.
• The drier 30%: Drier substrate with leaf litter cover. Place protein foods on this side — they spoil quickly in damp conditions.

The gradient lets the colony self-regulate. They'll move to moist areas for moulting and rehydration, then back to drier zones for foraging. Too dry causes moulting problems; waterlogged conditions cause health issues — moist not wet is the rule.

Temperature

20–28°C is the comfort range, with 25°C considered optimal for breeding. UK summer temperatures often fall within range; winter heating may be needed if your home gets cold. A low-wattage heat mat on the side of the enclosure (never underneath, to avoid drying substrate) connected to a thermostat keeps the colony stable.

Stable conditions matter more than hitting any specific point. Sudden temperature swings cause more stress than steady conditions at the cooler end of the range.

Diet

Penguin/White Side have standard Cubaris dietary needs:

• Primary diet (always available): Hardwood leaf litter (they reportedly prefer slightly decayed leaves over fresh ones), decaying white-rotted wood, forest moss, lichens
• Vegetables (1–2x weekly): Carrot, courgette, sweet potato, butternut squash, mushrooms. Replace within 24–48 hours.
• Fruit (occasionally): Apple, banana — small amounts
• Protein (essential — 1–2x weekly): Fish flakes, dried daphnia, silkworm pupae, freeze-dried peas, dried shrimp. Browse our accessories collection for the full range of protein supplements.
• Calcium (essential — non-negotiable for cave Cubaris): Cuttlefish bone, crushed limestone, eggshells, calcium powder. Multiple sources distributed throughout the enclosure.

Despite their small size, they're enthusiastic eaters. Remove uneaten fresh food before it spoils to prevent mould issues.

Breeding

Penguin/White Side follow a classic Cubaris breeding pattern — slow initial establishment followed by reliable moderate breeding once the colony settles.

Establishment period: Allow 2–3 months for new colonies to settle before expecting significant breeding activity. This is normal for the species — don't assume something is wrong if you don't see babies immediately.

Once established: Described as "moderately prolific" — comparable to other entry-level Cubaris like Panda King once colonies are going. A starter colony of 20 will produce reliable broods on a regular basis, gradually building population over time.

For breeding success:

• Stable temperatures (25°C optimal)
• Consistent humidity (higher end of range preferred for breeding)
• Deep substrate (15 cm) for burrowing
• Abundant calcium availability throughout
• Regular protein supplementation
• Plenty of hiding spots
• Minimal disturbance during establishment
• Larger starter groups (20+) provide better breeding potential and genetic diversity

Patience is essential. Resist the urge to constantly check the enclosure during establishment. Undisturbed colonies establish faster and breed more reliably.

Pair With Springtails

Add a thriving springtail culture to any Penguin/White Side setup. Springtails handle mould and microbial growth at a scale isopods can't manage, particularly important in the humid conditions Cubaris require. They coexist peacefully with Penguin/White Side and form an essential cleanup partnership for tropical Cubaris setups.

Who Should Buy Penguin / Cubaris White Side Isopods?

Ideal for:

• Keepers wanting their first Cubaris experience without high cost or difficulty
• Anyone graduating from beginner species (Porcellio, Armadillidium) into the Cubaris world
• Hobbyists attracted to penguin-like black-and-white colouration
• Budget-conscious customers wanting genuine Cubaris at accessible pricing
• Those building toward eventually keeping more demanding Cubaris
• Bioactive setup owners wanting affordable tropical cleanup crew
• Display setup enthusiasts wanting subtle, distinctive Cubaris rather than bold designer morphs

Not ideal for:

• Complete beginners with no isopod experience — start with hardier species like Dairy Cow first
• Keepers wanting larger, more visible isopods (they're small at 8–15 mm)
• Anyone unable to maintain tropical humidity (55–80%)
• Those expecting immediate breeding results
• Setups with shallow substrate — they need depth to burrow

Realistic Expectations

Penguin/White Side are small Cubaris — at 8–15 mm, they're noticeably smaller than premium species like Rubber Ducky or Cappuccino. The smaller size means individual animals are less visually impactful than larger Cubaris, but it also means colonies can grow substantially without overcrowding standard enclosures.

Expect primarily nocturnal activity. You'll see them most after lights go out, with daytime visibility increasing as colony numbers grow. A starter colony of 10 may seem reclusive; established colonies of 30+ become noticeably more active and observable.

Pattern intensity varies between individuals. Some specimens display particularly bold black-and-white contrast; others show more muted markings. Pattern intensity develops with age and good nutrition — given 2–3 months of stable conditions, juveniles develop into the bold penguin-patterned adults you see in marketing photos.

Don't expect the explosive breeding of fast-breeding Porcellio. Penguin/White Side build colonies steadily over months rather than weeks. Within 6–12 months of establishment you'll have meaningful population growth, but not the rapid expansion seen in beginner Armadillidium species.

The current 58% sale price (£12.50 for 10) represents exceptional value for a genuine Cubaris species. At full retail (£30), they're still reasonably priced. The discounted pricing makes them outright affordable for first-time Cubaris buyers and bioactive cleanup crew applications.

Building Your Setup

A complete Penguin/White Side setup needs deep substrate components, abundant calcium-rich materials (especially limestone), generous leaf litter, and protein supplements. Browse our accessories collection for everything you need — enclosures, ventilation, leaf litter, calcium (cuttlebone, limestone), and protein supplements (daphnia, silkworm pupae, fish flakes, freeze-dried peas).

For a deeper guide to Cubaris species and morphs, see our blog post on 23 different types of Cubaris isopods you should know about. Browse the full Cubaris collection for more options.