Power Orange Isopods Vibrancy

[nicklovesTs]

Hello! I recently got into isopods and got some powder oranges, but when i looked online i saw some sellers/collectors had very vibrant oranges, some of mine are pretty orange while others aren’t so much

Is it due to not having a fresh molt like a T? Or due to genetics? Or diet? Or possibly a mix of all 3

Do isopods need to be culled to maintain colors? Like neocardina shrimps.

I’m pretty sure if I selective bred them Id get a more vibrant orange, which would take a bit of time but would be a fun challenge.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

Don't discount lighting differences and photoshop either

 

[nicklovesTs]

true that!

Don't discount lighting differences and photoshop either

 

[nicklovesTs]

so apparently i just found out there’s p. laevis orange and p. pruinosus orange… is there a difference?
(this could also be why i believe one was more vibrant)
additionally p. laevis cannot cross breed with p. pruinosus right?

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

so apparently i just found out there’s p. laevis orange and p. pruinosus orange… is there a difference?

You mean besides being a different genus? There are also orange morphs of other species - I think Porcellio scaber has one of the more intense colourations. The Porcellionides are a bit more tolerant of a wider range of conditions, I believe, and less protein-hungry than the Porcellio species. If you’re keeping them on their own, it shouldn’t matter, but if you’re planning a bioactive enclosure or something, this is a factor to consider.

 

[viper69]

so apparently i just found out there’s p. laevis orange and p. pruinosus orange… is there a difference?
(this could also be why i believe one was more vibrant)
additionally p. laevis cannot cross breed with p. pruinosus right?

I heard the first species is great for making orange juice

 

[moricollins]

There's also porcellio magnificus which is large and a beautiful orange colour and Armadillidium vulgare "tangerine" which are quite nicely orange.

Porcellio magnificus:


Armadillidium vulgare tangerine:

 

[nicklovesTs]

You mean besides being a different genus? There are also orange morphs of other species - I think Porcellio scaber has one of the more intense colourations. The Porcellionides are a bit more tolerant of a wider range of conditions, I believe, and less protein-hungry than the Porcellio species. If you’re keeping them on their own, it shouldn’t matter, but if you’re planning a bioactive enclosure or something, this is a factor to consider.

oh so that means they probably can’t hybridize but one will take over the other if kept together, i’m just keeping them as pets

i think i’m gonna get dairy cows next but not sure i would know what to do when they populate, i don’t plan on having bins upon bins of isopods

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

oh so that means they probably can’t hybridize but one will take over the other if kept together, i’m just keeping them as pets

i think i’m gonna get dairy cows next but not sure i would know what to do when they populate, i don’t plan on having bins upon bins of isopods

Just do what I did: put multiple species in together, have a massive population crash, and cry.

 

[nicklovesTs]

Just do what I did: put multiple species in together, have a massive population crash, and cry.

lmao


i’m mostly asking since i’m afraid if cultures somehow mix i hear that ppl who keep dwarf isopods somehow end up in other cultures easily

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

lmao


i’m mostly asking since i’m afraid if cultures somehow mix i hear that ppl who keep dwarf isopods somehow end up in other cultures easily

If Dwarfs are ending up in other cultures, it's because those people aren't being careful enough. The dwarf babies are so small, if you don't clean your tools, furniture, etc between enclosures, you're going to end up transferring some, and then they'll take over. Good little breeders.