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Isopod Care Guides



At the bottom of the page is a list of every isopod species I carry and which ventilation types I find work best for them + their preferred moisture gradients.

The guide is based on 12qt and 33.8qt ezystorage waterproof containers with 2in vent holes and 35 micron mesh hot glued over the vent holes. Waterproof containers and 35 micron mesh prevents pests, escapes, and culture cross-contamination. I use hole-saw drill bits to make my vent holes. 

**Demonstrational photos will be added as soon as possible.**   

**This guide is incomplete, temporary, and will be updated as soon as possible**

Most isopod cultures will have a moist and a dry side. The dry side will be on the side of the container with vent holes (front) and the moist side will be on the side of the container without vent holes (back). Vent holes should be on opposite sides of the enclosure to provide better airflow if applicable. Sphagnum moss covering the back portion of the moist side can be helpful for maintaining moisture.

All isopods should be provided a thick leaf layer covering their entire enclosure. Leaf litter is their main food source between supplemental feedings and will need to be topped up regularly. Softer leaves like maple are ingested more easily and readily than harder leaves like oak and magnolia.

Supplemental feeding should take place every week along with watering to maintain moisture gradients and humidity. I find dried minnows and fish food to be excellent foods along with the occasional veggie like shredded carrot or freeze dried peas. Feed on the dry side to prevent mold and only feed what they can consume between feedings or before food spoils.

Isopods are crustaceans and require calcium to build and maintain their exoskeletons. Supplementing with a calcium powder and/or providing a permanent calcium source like crushed oyster shell is important for the long term health of your isopods. 

Springtails are an excellent addition to isopod cultures, particularly Pseudosinella violenta and Folsomia candida. See the Cleanup Crew Guides for more information and more species suitable for use with isopods. Springtails prevent mold, compete with bothersome pests like mites and gnats, and in general keep isopod cultures fresh and healthy.

Keep in mind that this is not the only source of isopod care information and the information is subjective. These are the methods that I have had the most success with over the years and not the only way to do things. This guide is meant to help you replicate the conditions the isopods you receive from me are used to. Ventilation needs are highly dependent on local climate, for instance if you live in a low humidity climate you may need less or smaller ventilation holes and if you live in a high humidity climate you may need more or larger ventilation holes.  

Armadillidium klugii
-12qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 5 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 50% of surface area
-Dry side: 50% of surface area

Armadillidium maculatum
-12qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 5 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 50% of surface area
-Dry side: 50% of surface area

Armadillidium nasatum
-12qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 5 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 50% of surface area
-Dry side: 50% of surface area

Armadillidium vulgare
-12qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 5 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 50% of surface area
-Dry side: 50% of surface area

Atlantoscia floridana
-12qt: 2 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 70% of surface area
-Dry side: 30% of surface area

Cubaris murina
-12qt: 2 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 70% of surface area
-Dry side: 30% of surface area

Cubaris sp. 'Panda King'
-12qt: 2 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 80% of surface area
-Dry side: 20% of surface area

Cubaris sp. 'Platin Tung Song'
-12qt: 2 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 80% of surface area
-Dry side: 20% of surface area

Cubaris sp. 'Rubber Ducky'
-12qt: 1 vent hole on dry side 
-33.8qt: 2 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 90% of surface area
-Dry side: 10% of surface area
-Note that this species burrows and prefers deep soil.

Cylisticus convexus
-12qt: 2 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 3 vent holes on dry side
-Moist side: 70% of surface area
-Dry side: 30% of surface area

Porcellio dilatatus
-12qt: 5 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 5 vent holes on dry side, 2 on moist side
-Moist side: 30% of surface area
-Dry side: 70% of surface area
-Note that this species burrows and prefers deep soil.

Porcellio laevis
-12qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 5 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 50% of surface area
-Dry side: 50% of surface area
-Note that this species is extremely protein hungry, it is recommended to feed them a diet rich in protein.

Porcellio scaber
-12qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 5 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 50% of surface area
-Dry side: 50% of surface area

Porcellionides cf. virgatus 'Big Pine Key'
-12qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 5 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 50% of surface area
-Dry side: 50% of surface area

Porcellionides pruinosus
-12qt: 3 vent holes on dry side 
-33.8qt: 5 vent holes on dry side 
-Moist side: 50% of surface area
-Dry side: 50% of surface area

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