Active isopods?

[khdethbd]

I’ve been thinking about getting some pet isopods. I’ve narrowed it down to two species- Armadillidium maculatum “zebra”, and Porcellio ornatus “Yellow Dot”. I’m wondering which of these is more active? It seems like Yellow Dot has a good feeding response, but Zebras are prettier. But whenever I see people show their zebras, they have to flip over the cork bark to see any, and then the isopods get stressed and move to the other side. And yet, they say that zebras are really active. I want isopods that naturally come out on their own. Of course, I know the easy fix is to get both, but I want to start with one species. What do you think?

Don’t arrest me for taking Google images...

 

[DaveM]

I recommend Bathynomus giganteus ...and ignoring advice except from real experts (I'm not one).
Maybe people like @moricollins, @Rick McJimsey, @Elytra and Antenna could help you.
Neat looking things. I hope to get some one of these days. Good luck

 

[khdethbd]

I recommend Bathynomus giganteus ...and ignoring advice except from real experts (I'm not one).
Maybe people like @moricollins, @Rick McJimsey, @Elytra and Antenna could help you.
Neat looking things. I hope to get some one of these days. Good luck

I just looked that species up- giant aquatic isopods. Cool, but I think I’ll stick with the small terrestrial ones.

 

[moricollins]

IME you'll see the Armadillidium maculatum "zebra" WAY more often than the Porcellio ornatus . The maculatum will also reproduce much faster giving more specimens to see

 

[khdethbd]

IME you'll see the Armadillidium maculatum "zebra" WAY more often than the Porcellio ornatus . The maculatum will also reproduce much faster giving more specimens to see

I don’t know... I’ve seen clips of Porcellio ornatus “yellow dot” before (at least ones from Aquarimax Pets) and they seem pretty active.

 

[A cave cricket]

I'd recommend giant canyon isopods, very easy care it's a soil eater, needs a damp spot and a dry spot. Very handleable and great for beginners. Even though they're called "Giant" they aren't really that big, the only downside to keeping them is they're not really breedable. The enclosure is very simple you don't need a really big one, 4 gallons at the most. And about 4 in of soil and a big piece of cork bark and some Moss. (Note this is only for small colonies.) They will also eat tomatoes.

 

[moricollins]

I don’t know... I’ve seen clips of Porcellio ornatus “yellow dot” before (at least ones from Aquarimax Pets) and they seem pretty active.

Well, you're welcome to take whatever advice you want to take. I was relating my personal experience with these species
Maculatum were visible a lot, ornatus not nearly as much.