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Red Edge Blonde Isopods (Cubaris sp. 'Red Edge Blonde') are a stunning selectively bred colour morph of the popular Red Edge Cubaris. Where the standard Red Edge displays a blue-grey body with striking red skirting, the Blonde variant has been isolated and cultured for its beautiful colour mutation - resulting in a predominantly white to cream-coloured body with soft peachy-pink highlights along the edges, while retaining the characteristic dark eyes.
This morph is sometimes called "Red Skirt Blonde" or "White Phase" and represents one of the rarer variations within the Red Edge lineage. They combine the hardy, beginner-friendly nature of standard Red Edge isopods with an exceptionally attractive pale appearance that makes them stand out in any collection.
Red Edge isopods (in all their colour forms) are considered one of the best "gateway" Cubaris species - offering the exotic appeal of the Cubaris genus while being significantly more forgiving and prolific than demanding species like Rubber Duckies or Lemon Blues. If you're looking to move beyond common isopods into more exotic territory, or simply want a beautiful, manageable Cubaris to add to your collection, the Blonde variant is an excellent choice.
A Glimpse
Origin: Thailand (selectively bred colour morph)
Scientific Name: Cubaris sp. 'Red Edge Blonde'
Alternative Names: Red Skirt Blonde, White Phase, Albino Red Edge
Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
Size: Up to 1.5-2cm (approximately 17-20mm)
Lifespan: 2-3 years
Temperature: 21-28°C (70-82°F), optimal 22-26°C
Humidity: 65-80%
Rarity: High (uncommon colour morph)
An Overview
The Red Edge Cubaris originates from Thailand, where wild populations display the characteristic blue-grey body with vibrant red edges that give the species its name. The Blonde morph is a captive-bred colour mutation that has been selectively isolated and bred to produce consistently pale offspring.
What makes the Blonde variant distinctive:
- White to cream base colouration (instead of blue-grey)
- Soft peachy-pink highlights along segment edges (instead of bold red)
- Dark eyes (distinguishing them from true albinos which have red eyes)
- Same body shape and size as standard Red Edge
Some sellers list these as "Albino" Red Edge, though true albinos have red eyes due to lack of pigment. The Blonde/White Phase typically retains dark eyes, suggesting this is a different genetic variant - a leucistic or hypomelanistic form rather than true albinism. Regardless of the precise genetics, the result is a strikingly beautiful pale isopod.
Red Edge isopods in general are prized for being more robust than many Cubaris species. They tolerate less-than-ideal conditions better than sensitive species like Rubber Duckies, making them excellent for keepers developing their Cubaris husbandry skills. The Blonde morph shares this hardiness while offering a more unusual appearance.
They're notably more active than many Cubaris species, making them enjoyable to observe. Rather than hiding constantly, established colonies will often be visible during the day, especially when hiding spots are plentiful and they feel secure.
Colour Morphs and Variations
Several colour variants exist within the Red Edge lineage:
Standard Red Edge - Blue-grey body with bold red edges/skirts. The original wild-type colouration.
Blonde/White Phase - White to cream body with peachy-pink edges. Dark eyes. The variant described on this page.
Albino - Similar pale colouration but with red eyes (true albinism).
Orange Phase - Selectively bred for orange rather than red colouration.
If maintaining pure colour lines, keep different morphs separate. Breeding Blonde with standard Red Edge may produce offspring reverting to wild-type colouration, though genetics in these morphs aren't fully documented.
Basic Care
Red Edge Blonde isopods share care requirements with standard Red Edge - they're among the more forgiving Cubaris species while still requiring tropical conditions.
Temperature should be maintained between 21-28°C (70-82°F), with an optimal range of 22-26°C (72-79°F). They can tolerate brief temperature fluctuations but prolonged extremes (below 18°C or above 30°C) can be lethal.
Humidity should be kept at 65-80%. Like most Cubaris, they prefer humid conditions with a moisture gradient:
- Approximately half the enclosure kept moist with sphagnum moss
- The remainder kept drier with just leaf litter coverage
- Mist the same areas consistently - don't shift the moisture gradient around
Good ventilation is important despite the high humidity to prevent mould and stagnation. Balance is key - enough airflow to keep conditions fresh without drying things out too quickly.
Enclosure type: Plastic containers with ventilation work well for breeding. Approximately 11 litres (6 quart) is suitable for a starter colony. Provide a secure lid as they can climb enclosure walls.
They prefer to hide rather than burrow, so substrate depth of 2.5-7cm (1-3 inches) with plenty of cork bark, egg crates, and other hiding spots is ideal. Moss thickness of 5-7cm creates excellent hiding opportunities.
Feeding
Red Edge Blonde isopods are enthusiastic eaters with appetites larger than their size might suggest. They're not picky and will accept a wide variety of foods.
Primary foods (should always be available):
Decaying hardwood leaf litter (oak, magnolia)
Rotting white wood
Moss (both food and habitat)
Decaying plant matter
Supplementary foods (offered 1-2 times weekly):
Vegetables - carrots, squash, potatoes
Mushrooms and fungi
Fish flakes or pellets
Freeze-dried shrimp
Commercial isopod foods
Protein supplementation (1-2 times weekly):
Dried shrimp
Fish food
Meat scraps
Calcium supplementation (always available):
Cuttlebone
Bat guano (also provides nutrients)
Crushed eggshells
Oyster shell
Limestone
Superfood supplements: Commercial isopod superfoods containing balanced nutrients can be offered 1-2 times monthly.
Important: Despite their large appetites, avoid overfeeding - excess food attracts pests and causes hygiene issues. Remove uneaten fresh food before it spoils. Maintain enclosure cleanliness by removing old food and moults regularly.
Appearance and Behaviour
Red Edge Blonde isopods reach approximately 1.5-2cm (17-20mm) as adults - a moderate size for Cubaris species.
Colouration:
- White to cream base colour across the body
- Soft peachy-pink highlights along segment edges (the "red edge" in muted tones)
- Some individuals may show more pink than others
- Dark eyes (not red like true albinos)
- Overall appearance somewhat resembles albino but with pigmented eyes
Their exoskeleton is well-developed and provides good protection. Like other isopods, they can roll into a defensive ball when threatened.
Behaviourally, Red Edge Blonde isopods are:
- More active than many Cubaris species
- Visible during the day when comfortable (crepuscular to nocturnal primarily)
- Quick to scurry to hiding spots when disturbed
- Hardy and resilient once established
- Prolific breeders compared to sensitive Cubaris species
They're sometimes described as excellent "desk pets" due to their activity levels and willingness to be visible. In terrariums with plenty of hiding spots, established colonies are regularly observable.
They work well alongside springtails - the combination creates an effective cleanup crew for bioactive setups. Springtails handle smaller debris and mould while isopods process larger organic matter.
Habitat
Creating an appropriate habitat focuses on humidity, hiding spots, and cleanliness.
Enclosure options:
Plastic containers with ventilation (approximately 11 litres/6 quart for starter colonies)
Glass terrariums with appropriate humidity management
Secure lids essential - they can climb walls
Temperature: 21-28°C (70-82°F), optimal 22-26°C.
Humidity: 65-80% with moisture gradient.
Ventilation: Moderate. Holes on multiple sides covered with mesh to prevent escape while allowing airflow.
Substrate depth: 2.5-7cm (1-3 inches).
Moss layer: 5-7cm thickness provides hiding opportunities.
Moisture gradient setup:
- Approximately 50% of enclosure kept moist with sphagnum moss
- Remaining 50% kept dry with leaf litter
- Always mist the same area to maintain consistent gradient
Hides: Essential - provide plenty of hiding spots throughout:
- Cork bark pieces
- Egg crates
- Coconut halves
- Lotus pods
- Leaf litter coverage
Important considerations:
- They prefer hiding to burrowing
- Plenty of hides allows them to form colonies and feel secure
- Secure mesh over ventilation holes as they climb
- Clean enclosure regularly - remove uneaten food and moults
- When population grows large, consider rehoming some to a second enclosure
Substrate Mix
The substrate should retain appropriate moisture while providing nutrition.
Base substrate options:
Coconut coir
Peat moss
Commercial bioactive substrate
Leaf humus
Essential additions:
Hardwood leaf litter (generous layer on top)
White rotten wood pieces
Charcoal pieces
Sphagnum moss (for moist zone)
Cork bark pieces throughout
Calcium supplementation:
Cuttlebone scattered throughout
Limestone pieces
Crushed oyster shell mixed in substrate
Optional additions:
Perlite (for drainage and nutrition)
Cork granules
Live mosses (food and habitat)
Small ferns or ground cover plants (for visual appeal and additional hides)
Layer structure:
- Base: 2.5-7cm substrate with good moisture retention
- Throughout: Decaying wood, cork bark, calcium sources
- Top: Generous leaf litter layer
- Moist zone: Thick sphagnum moss (5-7cm) covering approximately half the enclosure
Maintain the moisture gradient consistently - always mist the same designated wet area. The dry side should remain genuinely dry, providing the isopods options to self-regulate.
Breeding
Red Edge isopods are considered prolific breeders for a Cubaris species, and the Blonde morph shares this characteristic.
Breeding rate: Moderate to good for Cubaris. Once established, they breed reliably with consistent small to moderate broods. More prolific than demanding species like Rubber Duckies but not as explosive as Porcellio or Armadillidium.
Optimal breeding conditions:
- Temperature at 22-26°C (72-79°F)
- Humidity at 70-80%
- Consistent moisture gradient
- Regular protein and calcium supplementation
- Plenty of hiding spots for females and mancae
- Minimal disturbance
Establishment period: They typically settle into new environments without the extended delays seen in more sensitive Cubaris species. However, some settling time is normal - give them a few weeks to acclimate before expecting significant breeding activity.
Population management: Monitor colony growth. When the enclosure becomes crowded, rehome some individuals to a second container. Overcrowding can lead to stress and reduced breeding success.
Care for breeding success:
- Maintain consistent conditions (these isopods don't tolerate fluctuations well despite being "forgiving")
- Provide adequate protein for reproductive health
- Ensure calcium availability for developing offspring
- Keep multiple generations together - they don't harm each other
Red Edge Blonde isopods are considered a great stepping stone for keepers who want to breed Cubaris without the challenges of ultra-sensitive species. Success with these will build skills applicable to more demanding varieties.
