Red Pak Chong isopods are one of the most beautiful and sought after colour morphs in the isopod community. These little crustaceans have a deep red body with grey, orange and rusty accents, they are a real gem for any bioactive enclosure. Named after the Pak Chong district in Thailand where they originate, these isopods are a selectively bred colour mutation that has become highly prized among enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
Info
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Origin: Thailand - Pak Chong District
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Scientific Name: Cubaris sp. 'Red Pak Chong'
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Care level: Medium
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Temp range: 75℉ - 80℉ (24℃ - 27℃)
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Size: ~ 1.5 cm
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Rarity: Super Rare
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Humidity: 70% - 80% (medium-high)
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Diet: Leaf litter, vegetables, fish food, decaying wood
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Supplements: Cuttlebone, dried shrimp, calcium powder
Red Pak Chong Isopods
These isopods come from the limestone caves and karst formations of the Pak Chong district in Thailand, where they have adapted to live in humid, tropical conditions. Red Pak Chong isopods are a colour mutation of the classic Pak Chong lineage, with red faces and tail sections and white highlights along their sides. This selective breeding has produced one of the most beautiful isopods in the hobby today.
Red Pak Chong is special because it shares the same genetic lineage as the famous Cubaris sp. "Cherry Blossom" variety. These hardy isopods are a great stepping stone for keepers who want to move from beginner species to more challenging Cubaris varieties like Rubber Duckies and other premium morphs. They have moderate care requirements and are beautiful, so perfect for intermediate keepers.
Characteristics of Red Pak Chong Isopods
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Deep red body with grey, orange and rusty accents
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Red faces and tail sections with white side highlights
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Robust size up to 1.5 cm
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Hardy, can tolerate some environmental fluctuations
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Moderate breeding rate, 6-12 mancae every 1-2 months* Nocturnal but active during the day during feeding
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Great bioactive cleanup crew
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Can conglobate (roll into a ball) when threatened
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Lively and social behaviour
Feeding Red Pak Chong Isopods
Red Pak Chong isopods are detritivores and prefer high quality organic matter and supplements. Provide a base diet of pesticide free leaf litter, oak, beech and magnolia leaves. They love protein rich food and need protein supplements at least twice a week to support their colour and breeding.
Offer small amounts of fresh vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and leafy greens. High quality fish food, dried shrimp and isopod diets like Repashy Morning Wood are great protein sources. Calcium supplementation through cuttlebone, crushed eggshells or limestone powder is essential for proper exoskeleton development and to maintain their colours.
Red Pak Chongs love freeze dried vegetables and occasional treats of decaying white wood. Remove any uneaten food within 24 hours to prevent mould and maintain optimal enclosure conditions.
Natural Habitat
In their native Thai habitat, Red Pak Chong isopods live in the humid limestone caves and karst formations of the Pak Chong region. These environments provide consistent high humidity, stable temperatures and plenty of food. The caves protect them from temperature extremes while maintaining the moisture levels these tropical isopods need to survive.
Understanding their cave dwelling origins is key to successful captive care as these isopods have evolved to live in low light, high humidity and good air circulation environments.
Artificial Habitat for Red Pak Chong Isopods
Create an optimal environment with a well ventilated enclosure and deep substrate to accommodate their natural burrowing behaviour. Keep temperatures between 75-80℉ (24-27℃) and humidity 70-80%. Provide good ventilation while preserving humidity by adding ventilation holes to only half of the enclosure, creating air circulation without compromising the humid microclimate.
Add plenty of hiding spots with cork bark, moss and dried leaves. Sphagnum moss is essential for humidity and should never be allowed to dry completely. Create a moisture gradient with both damp and slightly drier areas, so the isopods can self regulate their moisture needs.Red Pak Chongs love a complex environment with multiple levels and plenty of space to explore. The enclosure should have both vertical and horizontal hiding spots for their active nature.
Preferred Substrate Mix for Red Pak Chong Isopods
The ideal substrate is a mix of good moisture retention, drainage and nutrition. Use a base mix of organic potting soil (pesticide free), coconut coir and sphagnum moss in a 2:1:1 ratio. Add earthworm castings for nutrition and a small amount of orchid bark for structure and drainage.
Keep the substrate depth at least 4 inches to accommodate their burrowing behaviour. Top with a thick layer of mixed leaf litter and pieces of decaying white wood. Add cork bark pieces and make sure there is moss coverage all over the substrate surface.
Add limestone powder or crushed cuttlebone to the substrate mix for readily available calcium sources. The substrate should be consistently moist but never waterlogged, with the moisture level slightly higher than what most other isopod species require. This balanced mix supports their tropical origins and provides all the nutrients they need to maintain their red colour and healthy breeding colonies.
