This is Cubaris sp. "Salmon" from Martinique - a Caribbean Cubaris with distinctive salmon-pink colouration. The current description mentions ABG mix which contains some components I'll adjust. I'll write a comprehensive description in your format.
Cubaris sp. "Salmon" is a Caribbean Cubaris originating from Martinique in the French West Indies. Named for their distinctive deep orange-pink colouration reminiscent of salmon sushi, they're one of the more visually unusual Cubaris available. Their tropical island origins mean they require high humidity and warmth, but compared to some Asian Cubaris species, they're considered relatively tolerant and accessible. For keepers wanting an attractive Cubaris with genuine personality, Salmon isopods offer good value—particularly at their current reduced pricing.
A Glimpse
-
Origin: Martinique, French West Indies (Caribbean)
-
Scientific Name: Cubaris sp. "Salmon"
-
Maintenance required: Low to Medium
-
Average Size: 1.4-1.6 cm
-
Rarity: Medium to High
-
Lifespan: 2-4 years
-
Temperature: 22-27°C (71-80°F)
-
Ventilation: Low
-
Humidity: 70-85% (high)
-
Favorite food: Decaying vegetation, leaf litter, vegetables
-
Supplements: Cuttlefish bone, crushed limestone, calcium powder
Cubaris sp. Salmon: Introduction
Martinique is a volcanic island in the Caribbean's Lesser Antilles, characterised by tropical rainforest, high humidity, and warm temperatures year-round. The isopods from this island have evolved in consistently humid, warm conditions—requirements that translate directly into captive care.
The "Salmon" name comes from their colouration, which genuinely resembles the pink-orange hue of salmon flesh. It's an apt description—when you see them, the name makes immediate sense. This natural colour morph stands out among Cubaris species, most of which display darker or more muted tones.
Compared to many Asian Cubaris species that demand precise conditions and punish any fluctuations, Salmon isopods are considered more forgiving. They're still Cubaris—they still need high humidity and appropriate care—but they're described as more tolerant to minor variations than some of the notoriously fussy species. This makes them a reasonable option for keepers with some experience wanting to explore Cubaris without immediately tackling the most demanding species.
A note on naming: "Salmon isopods" can technically refer to marine parasitic isopods that affect fish. The isopods sold here are entirely terrestrial, harmless Cubaris species—completely different animals despite the shared common name.
Cubaris sp. Salmon: Physical Traits and Characteristics
- Adults reach approximately 1.4-1.6 cm
- Distinctive deep orange-pink colouration (the "salmon" hue)
- Thick, robust exoskeleton
- Capable of full conglobation (rolling into a tight defensive ball)
- Rounded, compact body shape typical of Cubaris
- Smooth carapace with subtle sheen
- Colouration consistent across individuals (natural morph, not selectively bred)
The colour is genuinely striking—not subtle. Under good lighting, their salmon-pink tones are immediately apparent and quite unlike most other isopod species.
Behaviour
Cubaris sp. Salmon display typical Cubaris behaviours with some characteristics worth noting.
Activity patterns: Nocturnal. They prefer darkness and will be most active during evening and night hours. During the day, expect them to remain hidden in substrate or under cover. Keeping them in darker locations encourages more visible activity.
Conglobation: They readily roll into defensive balls when disturbed—a classic Cubaris trait. This defensive response is reliable and complete.
Burrowing: Active burrowers that dig into substrate to maintain moisture and feel secure. Deep substrate accommodates this natural behaviour.
Social behaviour: Peaceful and social. They form loose colonies without aggression and coexist well with springtails and other cleanup crew species.
Temperature tolerance: Described as tolerant to temperature variation compared to some Cubaris, though "tolerant" is relative—they still need warmth and shouldn't be subjected to cold conditions or extreme fluctuations.
Breeding behaviour: They breed throughout the year when conditions are stable, producing moderate brood sizes at a reasonable rate.
Diet
Salmon isopods are not picky eaters—they accept a wide variety of foods.
Primary foods:
- Decaying leaf litter (oak, beech, and similar hardwoods)
- Rotting hardwood
- Decaying plant matter
- Cork bark
Supplementary foods:
- Vegetables: sweet potato, carrot, courgette, potato
- Leafy vegetable scraps
- Occasional fruits
- Fish flakes for protein
- Dried shrimp
- Algae (they consume it naturally)
Protein requirements: Moderate protein supplementation supports healthy growth and breeding. Fish flakes, dried shrimp, or similar protein sources should be offered regularly.
Calcium requirements: Essential for healthy moulting and exoskeleton development. Provide cuttlefish bone, crushed limestone, crushed oyster shell, or calcium powder as constant supplements.
Feeding approach: They're good eaters that accept most offerings. Provide amounts they can consume in a sitting—overfeeding can attract pests even in humid enclosures. Remove uneaten fresh foods within 24-48 hours. Maintain constant access to leaf litter and decaying wood as baseline food sources.
Cubaris sp. Salmon: Breeding
Salmon isopods breed reasonably well in captivity with moderate effort.
Breeding rate: Moderate. They're not explosive breeders, but colonies grow steadily under appropriate conditions. They breed year-round rather than seasonally.
Brood characteristics: Females carry developing young and release fully formed juveniles. Brood sizes are described as small to average—not huge numbers, but consistent production.
Breeding requirements:
- High humidity (70-85%)
- Stable warm temperatures (22-27°C)
- Adequate calcium for gravid females
- Sufficient protein in diet
- Deep substrate for security
- Minimal disturbance
Colony establishment: Starting with a group provides better breeding success through genetic diversity and guaranteed mixed sexes. Their moderate breeding rate means patience is needed—colonies develop over months.
Tips for success: Stability matters more than perfection. Consistent conditions encourage breeding; frequent disturbances or fluctuating parameters inhibit it. Once established, let colonies develop without constant intervention.
Cubaris sp. Salmon: Habitat Setup
Creating appropriate conditions means replicating their humid Caribbean forest environment.
Enclosure: A container or terrarium with limited ventilation to retain humidity. Plastic containers with minimal ventilation holes work well for culturing; glass enclosures allow better viewing of these attractive isopods but require attention to humidity retention. A 6-10 litre container suits a starter colony.
Locking or secure lids prevent escapes and help maintain moisture levels.
Substrate: Deep substrate is essential—these are active burrowers seeking moisture. Provide 8-10cm (3-4 inches) minimum:
- Organic topsoil as a base (pesticide-free)
- Sphagnum peat moss mixed throughout for moisture retention
- Crushed limestone or calcium powder generously incorporated
- Hardwood leaf litter layered on top
- Decaying hardwood pieces
- Sphagnum moss patches for additional moisture retention
- Charcoal pieces (optional, aids drainage and reduces odour)
The substrate should retain moisture well while allowing some drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Humidity: High humidity is essential—70-85%. Their Caribbean origins mean they're adapted to consistently humid conditions:
- Maintain moist (not waterlogged) substrate throughout
- Keep approximately 75% of the enclosure moist, 25% slightly drier
- Mist regularly to maintain humidity
- Sphagnum moss patches help retain moisture between misting
- Limited ventilation preserves humidity
Monitor humidity levels. If substrate dries out, they'll burrow deeper seeking moisture—consistently dry conditions cause stress and inhibit breeding.
Ventilation: Low ventilation. Restrict airflow to maintain humidity. Small ventilation holes rather than mesh lids prevent excessive moisture loss. Some air exchange prevents stagnation, but humidity retention is the priority.
Lighting: They prefer darkness. Keep enclosures away from direct light and bright areas. Dim conditions encourage activity and reduce stress. If using a display enclosure, position it away from windows and bright room lighting.
Décor and hides:
- Cork bark pieces and tubes
- Coconut shell halves
- Lotus pods
- Egg carton sections
- Leaf litter coverage
- Sphagnum moss patches
- Decaying wood pieces
Multiple hiding options allow individuals to establish comfortable spaces and form loose colony groupings without competition.
Temperature: 22-27°C (71-80°F). They need warmth reflecting their tropical origins. Room temperature in heated UK homes usually suffices, but monitor during colder months. Avoid cold locations and temperature drops below 20°C.
Springtails: Adding springtails is highly recommended. High humidity environments can develop mould; springtails consume mould and help maintain enclosure cleanliness. They coexist peacefully with Salmon isopods and benefit the overall ecosystem.
Bioactive Use
Cubaris sp. Salmon can function in bioactive setups meeting their humidity requirements.
Best suited for:
- Tropical bioactive enclosures
- Humid vivarium setups
- Dart frog habitats
- Tropical gecko enclosures
- High-humidity planted terrariums
Advantages:
- Attractive colouration adds visual interest
- Effective decomposers in humid environments
- Peaceful coexistence with other species
- Year-round activity and breeding
Considerations:
- Require consistently high humidity
- Not suitable for arid or semi-arid setups
- Moderate breeding means slower population recovery if predation occurs
- Higher value than standard cleanup crew species
Less ideal for:
- Dry or Mediterranean-style enclosures
- Setups with fluctuating humidity
- Enclosures with heavy predation pressure
- Budget cleanup crew applications where fast breeding matters
Suitability
Cubaris sp. Salmon suit keepers wanting attractive Cubaris without extreme difficulty.
Good choice for:
- Keepers with basic isopod experience ready for Cubaris
- Those maintaining humid tropical setups
- Collectors seeking unusual colouration
- Bioactive enthusiasts with high-humidity enclosures
- Anyone wanting visually distinctive isopods at reasonable prices
Not ideal for:
- Complete beginners (gain experience with hardier species first)
- Arid or low-humidity setups
- Keepers unable to maintain consistent warmth and humidity
- Those wanting rapid population explosions
Care level: Low to medium difficulty. They're considered more tolerant than some Cubaris species, making them accessible for keepers with foundational experience. The key requirements—high humidity, warmth, deep substrate—are straightforward to provide with basic equipment. They're a sensible introduction to Cubaris for keepers ready to move beyond beginner species.
Compared to other Cubaris: More forgiving than demanding species like Rubber Ducky or some Thai cave Cubaris. Their Caribbean origins seem to produce hardier animals than some Asian species that evolved in very specific microhabitats. At current sale pricing, they offer excellent value for an attractive, manageable Cubaris species.
Expectations: Expect attractive isopods with genuine visual appeal that reward stable conditions with steady breeding. Their salmon colouration is distinctive and eye-catching. Don't expect them to tolerate neglect or dry conditions, but do expect reasonable success with consistent, appropriate care. They're a good stepping stone toward more demanding Cubaris species if that's your direction, or simply enjoyable to keep in their own right.
