The numbers
Enclosure
6 L+ tub
Diet
Leaf litter, rotting wood, veg, fish flake · Continuous; protein/veg regularly
Temperature
18–26°C
Humidity
50–70% (moisture gradient, drier tolerant)
Identity
Order / Family
Isopoda
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; no CITES listing
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Very common; many morphs (Sunset, Magic Potion)
Adult size
~1.2–1.8 cm
Lifespan
2–3 yrs
Growth rate
Moderate
Activity & niche
Surface detritivore
Temperament
Peaceful, shy
Venom / defense
Harmless detritivore; rolls into a ball (conglobates)
Price (THB)
50–200 (morph-dependent, indicative)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
18–26°C
Humidity
50–70% (moisture gradient, drier tolerant)
Min. enclosure
6 L+ tub
Substrate
Coco/soil + limestone + leaf litter + rotting wood
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, leaf litter; moist + dry zones
Diet
Staple food
Leaf litter, rotting wood, veg, fish flake
Feeding frequency
Continuous; protein/veg regularly
Supplements
Cuttlebone / calcium available
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Safe; harmless — the classic 'roly-poly'
Communal
Yes – colony/communal
Defense / stress signs
Rolling into a ball, hiding
Reproduction
Reproduction
Marsupium brooders; steady
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsVery hardy
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQuarantine; watch pest mites
Good to know
- The archetypal 'roly-poly' — and infected individuals can turn blue from iridovirus.
Others in this group
Little Sea IsopodCubaris murinaRubber Ducky IsopodCubaris sp. 'Rubber Ducky'Dairy Cow Isopod (P. laevis morphs)Porcellio laevisCommon Rough Woodlouse (many morphs)Porcellio scaberPowder Blue / Powder Orange IsopodPorcellionides pruinosusDwarf White IsopodTrichorhina tomentosaClown IsopodArmadillidium klugiiZebra IsopodArmadillidium maculatum