One of the most popular Porcellio isopods, the Porcellio Echinatus isopods also known as Pill Bugs originate from the European region. These spikey isopods are Portugal natives and make a great option for isopod collectors who want to house medium-sized isopods. They are prolific breeders and easy to keep isopod species. These high-end Porcellio isopods have a bumpy and drastically textured appearance. They are ultimate clean up crew members. The Porcellio Echinatus Isopods are even more bumpy than the Porcellio Scaber species. 

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: A Glimpse

• Origin: Portugal, Europe

• Scientific Name: Porcellio Echinatus

• Difficulty: Low

• Rarity: Low

• Temperature: 72 to 82℉

• Size: 8mm

• Humidity: 70 to 80%

• Favourable Foods: Leaf litter, decaying wood, fish food, calcium

An Overview

Porcellio Echinatus isopods are beginner-friendly isopods well-known to be an easy to care addition to terrarium and vivarium setups. These spiky isopods are acclaimed by collectors as well as enthusiasts for their distinctive appearance. 

Porcellio Echinatus isopods make an excellent choice for beginners. These textured Porcellio isopods have a rugged and charming appeal. They have a hardy texture that can add a touch of intrigue to your isopods’ collection. 

Porcellio Echinatus isopods can be low-maintenance pets. These hardy isopods are smaller than scaber isopods. They are excellent cleaners. These European isopods can tolerate semi-arid environments. 

These Porcellio isopods can also thrive in moist tropical environments. The Porcellio Echinatus isopods can grow up to a length of 8mm. The Porcellio Echinatus isopods look like someone took the Scaber isopods and compressed them. 

These European Porcellio isopods feed on leaf litter as well as dead insects. You can regularly feed these Porcellio isopods rotting wood as well as shrimp.

Basic Care

You can use the following instructions and tips to provide the best care to the Porcellio Echinatus isopods.

• You can use terrariums with semi-arid setups to house the Porcellio Echinatus isopods.

• Maintain the container’s temperature within 72 to 82℉.

• Don’t keep the enclosure in direct light. 

• The Porcellio Echinatus isopods can also tolerate moist and tropical setups.

• You can feed them a balanced diet which includes different types of forest materials and additional supplements of calcium.

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Feeding

Porcellio Echinatus eat materials such as decaying wood as well as decaying matter like leaf litter. You can also feed them additional supplements such as calcium and fish food. Porcellio Echinatus isopods are cuttlefish bone lovers. Food items like limestone can help isopods grow. You can always feed the Porcellio Echinatus isopods ample sources of calcium. 

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Appearance And Behavior

• The Porcellio Echinatus isopods are medium-sized isopods. It can grow up to 8mm.

• Porcellio Echinatus isopods have a spiky appearance. Their dark brown colored bodies with a textured appearance resembles the Scaber isopods a lot. 

• These Porcellio isopods are the ultimate clean-up crew members. 

• Porcellio Echinatus isopods are easy to maintain.

• Porcellio Echinatus isopods have a prolific nature.

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Habitat

Porcellio Echinatus isopods prefer semi-arid to tropical environments. They need moderate ventilation in order to thrive. These Porcellio isopods grow well in groups. You can house the Porcellio Echinatus isopods in warm as well as dry environments. These little creatures love hiding spots in a terrarium setup. 

Porcellio Echinatus Isopods: Substrate Mix

The substrate mix of Porcellio Echinatus isopods include leaf litter and decaying wood. These Scaber-like isopods can thrive in a bioactive setup with a substrate mix that includes sphagnum moss. You can also add coconut fiber as well as organic compost in the substrate mix of the Porcellio Echinatus isopods. Add sufficient sources of calcium inside the enclosure, like limestone, as well.