Piggy Isopods (Cubaris sp)

Isopods in the Cubaris genus are highly sought after mainly because they are easy to keep and maintain. If you are a novice and still exploring the idea of keeping the isopods as pets, Cubaris Piggy Isopods makes for a great choice. Small, cute, and characteristics many keepers prefer. As land-dwelling isopods, maintaining an exact environment is not difficult with a bioactive terrarium or vivarium if you intend it to survive. 

Cubaris Piggy Isopods: A Glimpse

• Origin: Southeast Asia

• Scientific Name: Cubaris sp.

• Difficulty: Easy

• Rarity: Rare

• Temperature: 21–27°C

• Size: Up to 1.2 cm

• Humidity: 70-80%

• Favorable Foods: Fruits, veggies, leaf litter, animal waste, decaying wood, cuttlebone, calcium blocks, eggshells, oyster flakes

An Overview

Cubaris Piggy Isopods are found in Southeast Asia. But compared to other species, they are rare. This is why you cannot see them on many online sites or pet shops that sell isopods. Cubaris Piggy Isopods prefer high humidity, between 70 and 80%. But for temperature, you should keep it between 21°C and 27°C so they can live comfortably without exposure to excess heat.

Cubaris Piggy Isopods come in various shades, but the majority are brown or gray. A few may feature unique hues and patterns, but that's not a typical characteristic.

Cubaris Piggy Isopods: Basic Care

With the below-mentioned basic care, you will create a safe space for them:

• Terrarium is a secure container which you must own as it gives them a proper ventilation and airflow to negate the chance of mold growing up. 

• Not much emphasis can be done how important the right temperature is for them which should be between 21°C and 27°C. 

• To use a moisture-retaining substrate like coconut fiber or sphagnum moss is a good call, as it helps them with burrowing and egg-laying.

• You can create hiding spots with cork bark or leaf litter. This will keep your isopods stress-free and let them behave naturally.

Cubaris Piggy Isopods: Feeding

Cubaris Piggy Isopods are detritivores creatures. Based on this, you should feed them decomposing organic materials like leaf litter and decaying wood, essential for their overall development. You must offer small amounts of overripe fruits or vegetables like zucchini or apple slices. For calcium, feed cuttlebone or crushed eggshells, as it is necessary for their exoskeleton.

Cubaris Piggy Isopods: Appearance & Behaviour

• Cubaris Piggy Isopods are small in size. They grow to 1.2 cm long and have a segmented, oval-shaped body. Also, their exoskeleton is hard.

• These isopods are generally gray or brown, but if your luck is on your side, you may get your hands on more colors. 

• Since these isopods are nocturnal, they are most active at night, not during the day.

• They can roll into a ball when threatened. It is a defensive behavior that protects them from predators.

Cubaris Piggy Isopods: Habitat

Cubaris Piggy Isopods prefer moist, tropical environments in the wild. You will have to create a similar environment in captivity for them to survive. A substrate mix with coconut fiber, leaf litter, and sphagnum moss is better for them. Also, it allows isopods to burrow and hide. You can make the substrate damp by misting it regularly and checking if it gets waterlogged. 

Cubaris Piggy Isopods: Substrate Mix

You cannot keep your isopods without a well-prepared substrate mix. It is essential for their survival, something you cannot take lightly. You can use peat moss or coconut fiber as base material as they retain moisture perfectly. Besides that, you should add dried leaves so your isopods can use them as an additional food source. Also, add small pieces of rotting wood for nutrients and simulate their natural habitat. Provide crushed eggshells or limestone for calcium as it develops their exoskeleton.