Rubber Ducky Isopods For Sale

Originally from Thailand, Rubber Ducky isopods have stormed the isopod petting industry. These tiny creatures with rubber duck-like facial features are now some of the bestselling isopods worldwide. Most importantly, they were found relatively recently, in 2017. These collectible isopods are rare and need relatively higher humidity than most other isopods to survive.

Rubber Ducky Isopods: A Glimpse

• Origin:Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan

• Scientific Name:Cubaris sp.

• Difficulty Level: Medium

• Size: Up to 1.5 cm

• Rarity: Very High

• Temperature: 70F to 80F

• Humidity: 70% TO 80%

• Favorite Foods:Dried shrimp, leaf litter, etc.

Rubber Ducky Isopods: An Overview

Rubber Ducky isopods are given the name due to their resemblance to the popular rubber duck toy in color and facial features. They are originally a part of the crustacean species. They are native to Asia's highly humid limestone caves, especially in Thailand. Therefore, a highly humid environment is necessary for them to survive.

Although they are the most popular isopods globally, they are rare and unique. These exotic creatures are especially attracted to vegetables like cucumbers and sweet potatoes. Despite loving vegetables, they are essentially detritivores.

Their non-aggressive temperament and small size make them the perfect beginner-friendly pet isopods. Being egg layers and easy to raise, you will only have to buy these isopods once to grow a colony. 

Rubber Ducky Isopods: Basic Care

Rubber Ducky isopods need to have a highly humid environment to survive. So, you have to always keep the tank warm and humid. The temperature inside the tank should be between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius.

You should also maintain the humidity level between 75% to 90%. The Rubber Ducky isopods usually start breeding within a few weeks. Specifically, the female isopods start breeding at three months old.

Once the females reach the breeding stage, you must make the tank humid and warm. High humidity and temperature are crucial for the eggs' breeding and hatching. They usually lay eggs in the substrate mix or small holes in the tank parts.

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The isopod eggs will hatch in just a few weeks if you give them enough warmth and humidity. The newborns grow pretty quickly. Therefore, you must feed them a lot of organic matter and leafy greens.

Rubber Ducky Isopods: Feeding

The Rubber Ducky isopods need to have a protein and calcium-richdiet. They require all the essential nutrients to survive well in a new environment. As this species is slower-growing, you must feed them occasionally to aid their growth.

You can use the following food items to feed them.

Calcium

• Rubber Ducky isopods are naturally present in limestone caves and similar calcium-rich areas.

• They require a significant amount of calcium to grow and reproduce.

The best calcium-rich food items you can give these isopods are the following.

• Cuttlebone

• Powdered eggshells

• Limestone

• Sea corrals

Protein

Protein is crucial to the breeding health of the isopods. Following are the best food options for these isopods regarding protein.

• Shrimp shells

• Insects like crickets

• Shrimp meal

• Shrimp pellets

• Organic yeast

Leaf Litter

• Leaf litter is unavoidable for them.

• It is essential to provide them with pesticide-free leaf litter.

• Leaf litter is pretty affordable and easily available.

• You can give a lot of leaf litter to the isopods every time you feed them.

The most suitable leaf options for them are as follows.

• Oak leaves

• Magnolia leaves

• Cannabis leaves

• Seed blends

Rubber Ducky isopods are detritivores. In other words, they are interested in eating decaying matter. So, keeping some decaying fruits, softwood, etc., in the enclosure is also advisable.

Rubber Ducky Isopods: Appearance and Behaviour

Appearance

Rubber Ducky isopods are the most popular for their appearance. Their unique facial structure makes them look similar to the rubber duck toy. Their heads also have a similar yellow color, making them further identical to the real rubber ducks.

They usually grow up to 1.5 cm. On the other hand, certain variants can grow up to two centimeters. They are available in shades of brown and yellow.

Their body is divided into seven segments. Each segment of this isopod has a separate pair of legs. Among the multiple legs, two are for burrowing. They use these burrowing legs to dig as deep as six inches.

They have two antennae on their heads. These antennas help them with navigation. On both these antennas, there are small projections called Cerci. Cerci is used as a sensory organ by these isopods.

Behavior

Rubber Ducky isopods are known for their calm temperament. This calm behavior is one of the primary reasons for its popularity. They don’t mind interacting with other pets and animals. But keeping the small pets separate from them is advisable to avoid conflict.

They usually prefer to remain in the tanks where they get enough food. So, they typically do not try to escape from the tanks. These isopods interact with humans, too. 

But the human interaction may take some time. However, they interact with the keepers and other animals once comfortable with their surroundings.

These isopods gradually get comfortable with their surroundings. They develop a playful temperament once they feel comfortable. 

Many of these isopods even let the keepers take them in their hands and play. They usually spend several minutes in the keeper’s hands.

Rubber Ducky Isopods: Habitat

The habitat you create for a Rubber Ducky isopod must have the following features.

• The tank should always be warm and humid.

• The water should always maintain a pH level between 8.0 and 8.5.

• The hardness of the water inside the tank should be between 10° and 15° DH.

• The tanks need to have a good amount of light. You can use terrarium lights as light sources.

• The lights should not shine directly on the isopods.

Rubber Ducky Isopods: Substrate Mix

• These isopods need to have a rich substrate mix.

• As they dig about six inches deep, you must fill the substrate mix at a good thickness in the tank.

• The essential things to add to the substrate mix are limestone, decaying matter, leaf litter, etc.

• The substrate mix should have peat moss and coco coir.