Venezillo parvus "Dalmatian" is the spotted colour morph of this small, burrowing isopod species. The distinctive white body with dark spots gives them their name—resembling the coat pattern of a Dalmatian dog. While they share all the same care requirements and behaviour as standard Venezillo parvus, the patterned colouration makes them more visually appealing for keepers who want a bit more interest from their cleanup crew, even if these isopods spend most of their time hidden underground.
A Glimpse
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Origin: Spain / Southwest Europe (captive bred colour morph)
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Scientific Name: Venezillo parvus "Dalmatian"
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Maintenance required: Low to Medium
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Average Size: 5-12 mm
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Rarity: Medium-High
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Lifespan: 1-2 years
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Temperature: 20-26°C (68-79°F)
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Ventilation: Low to Medium
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Humidity: 70-85%
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Favorite food: Decaying wood, leaf litter, vegetables
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Supplements: Crushed eggshells, cuttlefish bone
Venezillo parvus Dalmatian: Introduction
The Dalmatian morph of Venezillo parvus offers the same functional benefits as the standard form—efficient decomposition, soil aeration through burrowing, and unobtrusive cleanup crew behaviour—but with added visual interest from the spotted pattern. The white base colour with dark spots makes them easier to spot on those occasions when they do venture to the surface, and they're more interesting to look at when you dig through the substrate to check on your colony.
Like all Venezillo parvus, these are burrowing isopods that prefer life below the substrate surface. They're not display animals in any meaningful sense—if you want isopods you can watch wandering about, look elsewhere. But for keepers who appreciate a bit of aesthetic appeal even in their functional invertebrates, the Dalmatian pattern delivers more than the plain grey-brown standard form.
This species originates from southwest Europe, primarily Spain, and requires higher humidity than many European Porcellio species. They're suited to tropical and humid bioactive setups rather than arid enclosures.
Venezillo parvus Dalmatian: Physical Traits and Characteristics
- Small species, with adults typically reaching 5-12 mm in length
- White or pale cream base colour with irregular dark spots and patches
- Spot pattern varies between individuals—some heavily spotted, others with lighter patterning
- Oval body shape with the ability to conglobate (roll into a tight ball) when disturbed
- Segmented body with seven pairs of legs
- Smooth exoskeleton
- Juveniles display the spotted pattern from birth, though it may intensify as they mature
Maintaining the Dalmatian Pattern
The Dalmatian colouration breeds true when Dalmatian individuals are bred together. To maintain the morph:
- Keep Dalmatian colonies separate from other Venezillo parvus colour forms
- Don't mix with standard grey or Blackpoint morphs if you want consistent offspring
- If mixing occurs, subsequent generations will produce varied colouration
Some variation in spotting intensity is normal even within pure Dalmatian colonies—not every individual will be identical.
Behaviour
Venezillo parvus Dalmatian share the same behavioural traits as the standard form.
Burrowing: These isopods spend most of their time underground, creating tunnel systems through the substrate. This behaviour is beneficial for soil health—aerating the substrate and distributing organic matter throughout. It also means you won't see them much.
Visibility: Low. They surface occasionally, particularly at night or in very humid conditions, but they're not a species you'll observe regularly. The Dalmatian pattern at least makes them more noticeable on the rare occasions they do appear.
Defence: When threatened, they roll into a tight ball—classic pill bug behaviour.
Temperament: Peaceful and non-aggressive. They coexist well with other invertebrates and tank inhabitants without causing problems.
Activity: Primarily nocturnal. Most activity occurs underground regardless of time of day.
Diet
Venezillo parvus Dalmatian are detritivores that process decaying organic matter.
Primary foods:
- Decaying wood (hardwood and softwood)
- Decomposing leaf litter
- Rotting plant material
- Organic debris within the substrate
Supplementary foods:
- Vegetables: cucumber, courgette, carrot, squash
- Small amounts of fish flakes for protein
- Decaying moss
Calcium: Provide crushed eggshells, cuttlefish bone, or oyster shell. Calcium supports healthy moulting and is particularly important for breeding females.
Feeding notes: In established bioactive setups, they'll sustain themselves largely on available organic matter. Supplementary feeding supports population growth but isn't constantly necessary. Remove uneaten fresh foods within 24 hours to prevent mould—humid environments encourage rapid spoilage.
Venezillo parvus Dalmatian: Breeding
This species has a slower reproductive rate compared to prolific species like Porcellio scaber. For bioactive setups, this is often an advantage—they won't overrun the enclosure or outcompete other cleanup crew species.
Breeding basics:
- Females carry eggs in a marsupium and release miniature juveniles
- Brood sizes are small
- Population growth is gradual
- Colonies self-regulate based on available resources
Maintaining the morph: Keep Dalmatian colonies separate from other colour forms to ensure offspring retain the spotted pattern. Mixed breeding will produce varied results.
Conditions for breeding:
- Consistent high humidity (70-85%)
- Stable temperatures within preferred range
- Adequate calcium for breeding females
- Deep substrate for burrowing
- Ongoing food sources (decaying wood and leaf litter)
Expectations: Don't expect rapid colony expansion. Their slow breeding is a characteristic of the species, not a husbandry problem. Patience is required when building up numbers.
Venezillo parvus Dalmatian: Habitat Setup
Enclosure: For a dedicated colony, use a plastic container with limited ventilation to maintain high humidity. In bioactive setups, they'll integrate into the existing enclosure provided humidity requirements are met.
Substrate: Deep, moisture-retentive substrate is essential for this burrowing species:
- Organic topsoil as a base (pesticide-free)
- Sphagnum peat moss for moisture retention
- Leaf litter mixed throughout and layered on top
- Decaying hardwood pieces buried in the substrate
- Crushed limestone, eggshells, or oyster shell for calcium
Provide at least 8-10 cm substrate depth—shallow substrate restricts their natural burrowing behaviour. The substrate should hold structure when tunnelled through, not collapse.
Humidity: High humidity is essential—70-85%. The substrate should remain consistently moist throughout its depth, not just at the surface. Mist regularly. However, avoid waterlogged conditions—soggy, anaerobic substrate causes problems.
Ventilation: Limited. Small ventilation holes are sufficient. Excessive airflow dries out the enclosure and works against the humidity these isopods need.
Décor:
- Flat bark pieces on the surface (provides cover)
- Leaf litter
- Partially buried wood chunks
- Moss patches (helps maintain humidity)
Keep the setup simple—substrate depth and moisture matter more than elaborate decoration.
Temperature: Room temperature (20-26°C) is suitable. Avoid temperature extremes and sudden fluctuations.
Light: Avoid direct light on the enclosure. These isopods prefer darker conditions and will retreat deeper into substrate if lighting is too bright.
Bioactive Integration
Venezillo parvus Dalmatian work well in humid bioactive setups for:
- Dart frogs
- Tree frogs
- Crested geckos, gargoyle geckos, and similar species
- Other humidity-loving reptiles and amphibians
Their small size makes them less likely to be eaten by smaller inhabitants, and their burrowing keeps them largely out of sight and out of trouble. They process waste and decaying matter in the substrate without being conspicuous.
Mixed cleanup crews: They coexist well with springtails and other isopod species. Their underground niche means they don't directly compete with surface-dwelling cleanup crew, making mixed species setups effective.
Suitability
Venezillo parvus Dalmatian are suitable for keepers who want functional cleanup crew with a bit more visual interest than standard grey forms.
Good choice for:
- Humid bioactive setups
- Collectors who appreciate colour morphs
- Enclosures where small, unobtrusive isopods are preferred
- Keepers wanting efficient decomposers that won't dominate the setup
Not ideal for:
- Arid or low-humidity enclosures
- Keepers wanting visible, surface-active display isopods
- Those expecting rapid colony growth
- Beginners wanting a forgiving first species (consider Porcellio scaber instead)
Care level: Low to medium. Not difficult, but they require consistent humidity and won't tolerate drying out. Sensitive to environmental fluctuations compared to hardier species, but manageable for keepers who can maintain appropriate conditions.
