Cubaris sp. “Panda King”

[docwade87]

Finally pulled the trigger on some isopods. Ended up finding a local breeder of isopods and he had 12 Panda Kings up for sale that looked great. I got them setup in an awesome little bio active enclosure. The best part of all is our almost 2 year old son is infatuated with “roly polys” as he calls them and he obviously loves having these guys. Springtails were also included with them.
A few reasons we chose them was due to their uniqueness, less common, somewhat hardy, smaller in size and most importantly they don’t produce nearly as fast as some of the more popular and prolific species. That’s a huge plus for us as we live full time in a 5th wheel traveling the country. Space is limited and I didn’t want to end up with hundreds of isopods in no time, therefore taking up more space.
A couple photos of the enclosure with a few of them in it already munching on a “welcome home” treat of shrimp pellets.




A big thanks to those of y’all that helped me narrow down my options/ideas over the past few days! Glad to be back on the forums more often.

 

[docwade87]

I know once established these guys will still become quite prolific. I also know that they will ultimately need a bigger enclosure(s).
Just using this one as a display and startup. Will be adding more substrate to this one as well.

 

[xXTristinaXx]

A few reasons we chose them was due to their uniqueness, less common, somewhat hardy, smaller in size and most importantly they don’t produce nearly as fast as some of the more popular and prolific species.

Don’t mean to burst your bubble but they are prolific at least for cubaris, mine are crazy. That’s why they go for so cheap nowadays, probably the most common cubaris species and for good reason. They’re dope. I’m not noticing a calcium source though?

 

[docwade87]

Don’t mean to burst your bubble but they are prolific at least for cubaris, mine are crazy. That’s why they go for so cheap nowadays, probably the most common cubaris species and for good reason. They’re dope. I’m not noticing a calcium source though?

No worries! The more I’ve read the more I’ve noticed that if established they will produce quickly. Which is fine. Still seeing varying notes on it though.
Cheap? I’d say they still carry a decent price tag compared to the more popular and definitely more prolific species. Although they have come down in price considerably over the past few years.

My calcium source is through the food I supplement that has calcium in it. Shrimp pellets, and repashy. This is another topic that hasn’t been ironed out with husbandry needs for these little guys. So much varying practices and all are successful. Is a cuttle bone really necessary, especially if I’m supplementing good food with calcium in it already for them? I’ve heard more no than yes.

 

[docwade87]

Added more substrate and leaf litter (a while ago). Feed shrimp pellets and zucchini twice a week. Substrate kept moist. Humidity levels on the higher end. Trying to let 1/3 of enclosure dry a bit to see if they prefer to be able to regulate or not.

They have already started to multiply! Very reclusive for most part aside from a few at most being out during the evening/night foraging. Haven’t noticed if I’ve lost any as most burrow and I don’t feel it necessary to dig anything up as little ones are popping up so I know some are doing well.

 

[paumotu]

The more panda kings in a colony, the more active they are.

 

[docwade87]

The more panda kings in a colony, the more active they are.

That is what I am hearing and hoping for. Most of mine are burrowed or under bark. But I know they are doing well because food is getting eaten and there are little ones running around that weren’t there before.
Springtails are booming too!

 

[antinous]

These were my first isopod species and I was quite surprised at how easy they were to keep and how fast they reproduced. Be warned that isopods are more addicting than tarantulas haha.

 

[docwade87]

These were my first isopod species and I was quite surprised at how easy they were to keep and how fast they reproduced. Be warned that isopods are more addicting than tarantulas haha.

I am starting to see the same in regards to them being fairly easy to keep. They are my first species too. It seems like a lot of species are hyped up…same thing happens in the T world.

 

[docwade87]

I collected fallen oak leaves around where we are. I put them in the oven at 200 degrees for 20 min. They seemed dry and warm. Added a few to the enclosure to give some fresh leaf litter. They were very pungent for the first week or so. Then they started to moisten up (due to higher humidity levels for the panda kings). I was looking closely at them yesterday and today and noticed what appears to be mold/fungus spores forming on them and some were weeping. I removed them from enclosure.


What if anything did I do wrong or can improve so I can use the oak leaves? Do I need to bake them longer and at higher temps?