A vast majority of isopods are fit to live in captivity as long as you care for them and meet their basic requirements for survival. For beginners, choosing an entry-level species is wise as they have minimal requirements and can manage without you having to check on them 24/7. One such species is Porcellio Rhodes, which is both easy to keep and attractive because of their dark, rock-like patterns and oblong-shaped body.
Porcellio Rhodes Isopods: A Glimpse
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Origin: Europe
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Scientific Name: Porcellio laevis
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Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
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Rarity: Not rare
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Temperature: 20-27°C
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Size: Up to 15-20 mm
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Humidity: 70-90%
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Favorable Foods: Hardwood leaves, rotting plant matter, cuttlebone, oyster flakes, and eggshells.
An Overview
Although Porcellio Rhodes isopods are from Europe, they are also found in other places because of the pet trade, which has made them a common species in the isopod community.
They belong to Porcellio laevis species, and have a hardy body and can grow up to 15-20 mm if the conditions are favorable and the necessities are met. They are fast-moving creatures and crawl around at night, which is entertaining to watch compared to slower and more reclusive types.
As for appearance, Porcellio Rhodes come in greyish or tan shades and feature varying patterns, which is why they look so attractive even in captivity. Since they are not rare, you can easily find them at a local breeder or reptile shop, and that too at an affordable price.
Porcellio Rhodes Isopods: Basic Care
Here are some essential tips to care for your isopods:
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Not to compromise with their health and servival, keep in the temperature range between 20°C and 27°C, the same as in their natural habitat.
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Like most isopods, Porcellio Rhodes prefers high humidity, so keep the range between 70% and 90% and ensure the terrarium is never dry.
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Mist one side of the setup so the fish can have both dry and moist areas within the terrarium and move around as they like.
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Good ventilation is important so the airflow is proper and bacteria cannot grow inside the enclosure and harm your isopods.
Porcellio Rhodes Isopods: Feeding
Porcellio Rhodes isopods eat a variety of things, and the majority of their diet consists of decaying plants that are available in the wild easily. When in captivity, feed them hardwood leaves, rotting wood, cuttlebone, oyster shell flakes, and crushed eggshells as it is good for their health and adds to their growth and development, something which you want for your isopods. You can offer vegetable peels, fish food, or dried shrimp as an occasional treat, but ensure not to overfeed them, or else there can be problems.
Porcellio Rhodes Isopods: Appearance and Behaviour
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Porcellio Rhodes isopods have a smooth body and shiny shells in tan or gray shades, which make them easy to spot in the wild.
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Unlike some isopods, Porcellio Rhodes cannot curl up into a ball when disturbed or threatened. Instead, they run and hide quickly.
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They are very active and roam their enclosure at night but hide in leaf litter or moss during the day so nobody can see or attack them.
Porcellio Rhodes Isopods: Habitat
Mimicking their natural habitat has the same dos, like giving them ample space to roam and hide around moisture moisture-retaining substrate to ensure good ventilation and airflow. For hiding spots, you can use items like bark, cork, or egg cartons they can burrow and move underneath them for protection if threatened.
Porcellio Rhodes Isopods: Substrate Mix
A good substrate mix is responsible for humidity, provides a food source, and allows isopods to burrow whenever they like to rest or hide. Add a layer of sphagnum moss on one side and mist it regularly so it stays moist and offers a comfortable place for your isopods to live. Also, the substrate should be deep enough so they can burrow and hide without getting spotted.
