Porcellio Echinatus Red Edge Isopods

A hardy Portuguese Porcellio with distinctive bumpy texture and attractive red-orange edging along the body segments.

Porcellio Echinatus 'Red Edge' Isopods: A Glimpse

• Origin: Portugal, Southern Spain, North Africa
• Scientific Name: Porcellio echinatus
• Difficulty Level: Very Easy
• Size: Up to 12-15mm
• Rarity: Low to Medium
• Temperature: 18°C to 26°C
• Humidity: 50% to 70% (medium, with gradient)
• Favorite Foods: Leaf litter, decaying wood, vegetables, fish food
• Supplements: Cuttlebone, limestone, calcium powder

Porcellio Echinatus 'Red Edge' Isopods: An Overview

Porcellio echinatus is a European species native to the Iberian Peninsula, particularly Portugal and southern Spain, with populations also found in parts of North Africa. They're sometimes called "Shark Skin" isopods in the hobby due to their distinctively rough, bumpy texture that sets them apart from smoother Porcellio species.

The 'Red Edge' morph displays attractive red to orange colouration along the lateral margins (skirts) of their body segments. This colouration contrasts nicely with their darker grey-brown base colour, creating a visually appealing framed effect. The intensity of the red edging can vary between individuals, with some showing more vivid colour than others.

These are genuinely beginner-friendly isopods. They're hardy, adaptable, and forgiving of minor care mistakes. If you're new to keeping Porcellio or want a species that won't punish you for imperfect conditions, P. echinatus is an excellent choice.

Porcellio Echinatus 'Red Edge' Isopods: Appearance

The most striking feature of P. echinatus is their texture. The body surface is covered with small bumps and granulations, giving them a rough, almost shark-skin-like appearance. This distinguishes them from smoother species like P. laevis or P. scaber.

In the 'Red Edge' morph, the lateral margins of each body segment display red to reddish-orange colouration. The main body is typically dark grey to brown, sometimes with lighter mottling. The contrast between the dark body and red edges creates an attractive appearance, particularly in adult specimens where the colouration is most developed.

Adults reach around 12-15mm in length, making them a medium-sized Porcellio. They're not giants, but they're substantial enough to observe easily and handle if needed. Like other Porcellio species, they cannot roll into a complete ball when threatened, relying instead on speed and hiding to escape danger.

Porcellio Echinatus 'Red Edge' Isopods: Basic Care

P. echinatus are adaptable isopods that tolerate a range of conditions. This flexibility makes them suitable for beginners and experienced keepers alike.

Temperature: Room temperature works perfectly. They're comfortable anywhere from 18°C to 26°C and don't require supplemental heating in most UK homes.

Humidity: These isopods handle both semi-arid and more humid conditions reasonably well. A humidity gradient works best: keep one area of the enclosure damper than the rest, allowing the isopods to choose their preferred moisture level. Overall humidity around 50-70% is suitable.

Ventilation: Moderate ventilation is sufficient. They're not as demanding about airflow as the large Spanish Porcellio species, but stagnant, overly humid conditions should still be avoided to prevent mould issues.

Lighting: Low light conditions are preferred. Keep the enclosure out of direct sunlight and provide plenty of dark hiding spots.

Porcellio Echinatus 'Red Edge' Isopods: Feeding

P. echinatus are straightforward to feed. They're detritivores with good appetites and will readily consume a variety of food items.

Primary Food Sources:

• Mixed hardwood leaf litter (oak, beech, hazel)
• Decaying hardwood pieces
• Rotting bark

Supplemental Foods:

• Vegetables (carrot, courgette, sweet potato, squash)
• Fish flakes or fish food pellets
• Freeze-dried shrimp for protein
• Occasional fruit

Calcium Sources: Essential for healthy moulting and breeding. Provide:

• Cuttlebone pieces (they particularly seem to enjoy this)
• Limestone chips
• Crushed eggshells
• Oyster shell

Remove uneaten fresh food within a day or two to prevent mould. Leaf litter and decaying wood can remain in the enclosure permanently as it forms the base of their diet.

Porcellio Echinatus 'Red Edge' Isopods: Substrate Mix

A basic moisture-retentive substrate works well for this species. They're not particularly fussy about substrate composition as long as it holds some humidity and provides opportunities for burrowing.

A suitable mix might include:

• Organic topsoil or potting compost (pesticide-free) as a base
• Coconut coir for moisture retention
• Sphagnum moss mixed through and on the surface
• Decaying hardwood pieces
• Leaf litter as a top layer
• Charcoal pieces for drainage and pH management

Substrate depth of around 5cm is adequate. P. echinatus don't dig as extensively as some species, but they do appreciate the option to burrow when they want to.

Porcellio Echinatus 'Red Edge' Isopods: Enclosure Setup

A straightforward setup suits this species well.

Container Size: A 3-6 litre container works for a starter colony. These are smaller isopods and don't need vast amounts of space initially, though they'll appreciate more room as the colony grows.

Hides: Cork bark pieces provide essential hiding spots. Position some flat on the substrate and some propped at angles to create varied microhabitats.

Moisture Gradient: Keep one end of the enclosure slightly damper than the other. The moist area can have damp sphagnum moss, while the rest of the enclosure stays drier. This allows the isopods to regulate their hydration needs.

Ventilation: A few ventilation holes or a small mesh panel provides adequate airflow. Nothing excessive is required.

Leaf Litter: A generous layer of mixed hardwood leaves provides both food and shelter.

Porcellio Echinatus 'Red Edge' Isopods: Breeding

P. echinatus are prolific breeders once established. They reproduce reliably and colonies grow steadily under appropriate conditions.

What to Expect:

• Consistent reproduction throughout the warmer months
• Moderate to good brood sizes
• Steady colony growth
• Hardy mancae (juveniles) that survive well

They're not explosive breeders like P. laevis or P. pruinosus, but they're far more reliable than many of the more challenging Porcellio species. New colonies typically settle quickly and begin producing offspring within a few months.

Stable conditions support the best breeding results. Ensure adequate calcium is available for females producing broods, and maintain consistent humidity and temperature.

Porcellio Echinatus 'Red Edge' Isopods: Behaviour

P. echinatus are relatively active isopods with typical Porcellio behaviour patterns.

Typical Behaviours:

• Sheltering under bark and leaf litter during the day
• Increased activity during evening and night
• Congregating in preferred humidity zones
• Feeding on leaf litter and supplemental foods
• Speed-based escape response when disturbed

They're more visible than some of the shyer Cubaris species, though they still prefer to spend daylight hours hidden. You'll often find them clustered on the underside of cork bark when you lift it.

Porcellio Echinatus 'Red Edge' Isopods: Bioactive Use

P. echinatus work well as cleanup crew members in bioactive setups. Their adaptability to different humidity levels makes them suitable for various enclosure types, from semi-arid to moderately humid tropical setups.

Good for:

• Temperate and Mediterranean-style bioactive setups
• Reptile enclosures with moderate humidity
• Display terrariums
• General purpose cleanup crews

Their moderate size means they're less likely to be eaten by smaller reptiles while still being efficient at processing organic waste. Their bumpy texture may also make them less palatable to some predators compared to smoother species.

Pair with springtails for comprehensive waste management. The springtails handle fine debris and mould while the isopods tackle larger organic matter.

Who Are These Isopods For?

P. echinatus 'Red Edge' suit:

• Beginners wanting an easy, forgiving first species
• Keepers looking for a hardy Porcellio with interesting texture
• Those wanting a species that breeds reliably
• Bioactive setup builders needing adaptable cleanup crews
• Collectors wanting to add a colour morph to their collection

They might not suit:

• Those wanting a large, impressive display species
• Keepers seeking a rare or challenging species
• Anyone wanting explosive population growth (they're steady, not explosive)

If you want something pretty, hardy, and easy to keep without the challenges of more demanding species, P. echinatus 'Red Edge' is a solid choice.

What's Included

Each order contains healthy specimens selected from our breeding stock. We include a mix of sizes to give your colony the best start with breeding potential. A care sheet is provided with every order.