The Keys to Isopod Colony Success

[SamanthaMarikian]

i figured this would be a good way for everyone to learn and share isopod knowledge. What do you guys think contributes to the success of your colonies? Favorite foods, humidity, substrate, wood types, etc. Anything random you find your isopods like? Like for example, my dwarf white isopod colonies LOVE hay. I put in a few handfuls of hay and they all congregate underneath and strip it clean til a few fibers are left. I just buy a bag of hay meant for rabbits every few months for like seven USD. Even the random isopods outside congregate under the hay but I cant really tell if they eat it or not since it rots quicker. And a favorite food of my isopods are cucumber and sun dried krill. I have I think 11 growing colonies rn and those two seem to be the favorites out of most things I’ve tried. Any tips, observations, etc would be great. Just figured this could be a great way for advanced keepers and novices to share with each other and maybe learn something new all in one thread.

 

[moricollins]

Dwarf white and Armadillidium maculatum LOVE hanging out under Mopani wood, it seems to be their wood of choice, my powder blues don't seem to congregate on it nearly as much

 

[SamanthaMarikian]

Dwarf white and Armadillidium maculatum LOVE hanging out under Mopani wood, it seems to be their wood of choice, my powder blues don't seem to congregate on it nearly as much

where did you get your mopani wood? i have bark flats but idk what kind they are but they all seem to like them at least

 

[StampFan]

i figured this would be a good way for everyone to learn and share isopod knowledge. What do you guys think contributes to the success of your colonies? Favorite foods, humidity, substrate, wood types, etc. Anything random you find your isopods like? Like for example, my dwarf white isopod colonies LOVE hay. I put in a few handfuls of hay and they all congregate underneath and strip it clean til a few fibers are left. I just buy a bag of hay meant for rabbits every few months for like seven USD. Even the random isopods outside congregate under the hay but I cant really tell if they eat it or not since it rots quicker. And a favorite food of my isopods are cucumber and sun dried krill. I have I think 11 growing colonies rn and those two seem to be the favorites out of most things I’ve tried. Any tips, observations, etc would be great. Just figured this could be a great way for advanced keepers and novices to share with each other and maybe learn something new all in one thread.

I have five species of isopods right now. A little sweet potato peel was a HUGE hit with 3 of the species....I also put in some sphagnum/forest moss for moisture and they will really strip that clean.

 

[moricollins]

where did you get your mopani wood? i have bark flats but idk what kind they are but they all seem to like them at least

You can get it at reptile stores or on Amazon. It's very dense heavy wood but the Isopods seem to like it

 

[Aquarimax]

I give most of my tips in these videos:

 

[Hisserdude]

Leaf litter, lots and lots of rotten hardwood leaf litter. Plus feeding supplemental foods every few days really helps a lot of species, dog food, fruits and veggies, etc.