Thai Blue Angel Isopods (Cubaris sp.)
Thai Blue Angel Isopods (Cubaris sp.)
Thai Blue Angel Isopods For Sale
Thai Blue Angel is a particular isopod species native to Thailand. It is primarily found in the country’s lush environments and thrives in humid habitats.
Whether you are a seasoned isopod keeper or a curious newcomer, it is important to understand the care requirements of these creatures before they arrive at your home.
Thai Blue Angel Isopods: A Glimpse
- Origin: Thailand
- Scientific Name: Cubaris sp.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate/Easy
- Size: 12-20 mm
- Rarity: Moderately rare
- Temperature: 24°C to 28°C
- Humidity: 55-70%
- Favourite Foods: Fish food, fruits, greens, veggies, greens, rotting white wood, green moss, kinshi, lichen, decaying leaves, and moulting of reptiles and invertebrates
Thai Blue Angel Isopods: An Overview
Scientifically known as Cubaris sp, Thai Blue Angel isopods have become popular exotic pets because they are an uncommon species of terrestrial crustaceans. Belonging to the genus family, this species is often regarded as attractive for its portable size, striking appearance, and behaviour.
As many might not know, this isopod species is native to the rainforests of Thailand. They live in high-humidity environments and need to be kept in bioactive vivariums and terrariums.
The unique colour combination of blue and white sets them apart from other isopods. Their roly-poly behaviour, when disturbed, makes them a favourite among collectors and hobbyists.
Unlike other isopods, Thai Blue Angel requires little care, making it ideal for beginners.
Thai Blue Angel Isopods: Basic Care
To take care of Thai Blue Angel isopods, creating a similar environment to their natural habitat is important. Since they come from tropical regions, it is essential to maintain the right temperature and humidity levels. This way, you can keep your isopods happy and healthy. Here’s what you need to do:
- You can use a plastic container or glass terrarium as an enclosure. However, make sure that it has proper ventilation and moisture.
- It is important to maintain the temperature between 24°C and 28°C. As for the humidity level, anything between 55% and 70% is fine. You can mist the enclosure regularly to maintain these conditions.
- Since isopods love hiding spots, you should add plenty of leaf litter, bark, and small caves to their enclosure.
- Preparing a moist substrate for Thai Blue Angel is important. In this case, coconut fibre mixed with organic soil works best.
Thai Blue Angel Isopods: Feeding
The good thing about Thai Blue Angel isopods is that they are not fussy eaters. However, providing them with a balanced diet is important to keep them healthy.
In their natural habitat, they consume a lot of decaying organic material. This makes it easier to supplement their diet with various food sources when captivity.
One of the most essential components of their diet is leaf litter because it mimics their natural food source. It is recommended that they be given oak and maple leaves, as they are their favourites.
You should also provide small amounts of vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and squash, which are great sources of hydration and nutrients. For fibre, you can provide soft, decayed wood from non-toxic trees.
You can give them a small piece of cuttlebone to meet their calcium requirements. This is essential to maintain their exoskeleton. Lastly, you can feed them protein-rich foods like fish flakes or dried shrimp for protein.
Providing these food items can help your isopods maintain a balanced diet. Just make sure to feed them in small amounts.
Thai Blue Angel Isopods: Appearance and Behaviour
- Thai Blue Angel isopods are visually striking creatures, mainly because of their blue and white colour combination. They also have white or cream-coloured bands across their bodies.
- Their segmented exoskeleton allows them to curl into a tight ball when threatened, a behaviour known as conglobation.
- The size of an adult Thai Blue Angel ranges between 12 and 20 mm, which make them relatively smaller than other Cubaris species.
- These isopods are generally shy and prefer to stay hidden during the day. They come during the evening or at night to feed and explore.
- They are non-aggressive and move slowly, making it easier to care for them.
- Thai Blue Angel isopods are known for their social behaviour. They often huddle together in groups, especially when hiding under leaf litter or bark.
Thai Blue Angel Isopods: Habitat
If you plan to keep Thai Blue Angel isopods as pets, it is important to create a suitable habitat for them. To do this, you need to replicate their natural habitat.
Since these isopods come from Thailand’s humid rainforests, it is important to maintain the humidity level between 55% and 70%. You can achieve this by regularly misting their enclosure.
The temperature should be between 24°C and 28°C. In winter, a heat source, like a heat mat, can be added if necessary.
As mentioned before, you must create hiding spots for your isopods. You can include pieces of bark, rocks, and small shelters for this. This will make your isopods more secure as they will have plenty of hiding places.
Last, it would help if you scattered leaf litter and moss around the enclosure to create a natural, forest-like floor. This provides additional food and moisture.
Thai Blue Angel Isopods: Substrate Mix
The substrate is one of the most critical elements of an isopod habitat. It is the foundation for them to burrow, feed, and reproduce. You should prepare a moist and nutrient-rich substrate for Thai Blue Angel isopods.
You can use coconut fibre or coir as the base. These materials better retain moisture and are soft enough for isopods to burrow into.
You will also need organic and pesticide-free soil to add essential nutrients to the substrate. Small pieces of decayed wood should be added as an additional food source. Adding a layer of leaf litter can also provide food and create a more natural environment for the isopods.