The numbers
Enclosure
6 L+ tub, 15 cm deep substrate, humid
Diet
Leaf litter, rotting wood, decaying plant matter · Continuous access; add protein/veg weekly
Temperature
24–27°C
Humidity
80–90%
Identity
Order / Family
Isopoda
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; no CITES listing
Difficulty
Intermediate
Commonality
Iconic 'designer' isopod; high demand
Adult size
~1–1.5 cm
Lifespan
2–3 yrs
Growth rate
Slow breeder
Activity & niche
Detritivore, burrower in humid substrate
Temperament
Shy, peaceful
Venom / defense
Harmless detritivore; rolls into a ball (conglobation)
Price (THB)
80–300 per individual (indicative)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
24–27°C
Humidity
80–90%
Min. enclosure
6 L+ tub, 15 cm deep substrate, humid
Substrate
Deep bioactive soil + limestone/crushed shell + leaf litter + rotting wood
Hides / decor / water
Cork bark, leaf litter, moss; moist microclimate
Diet
Staple food
Leaf litter, rotting wood, decaying plant matter
Feeding frequency
Continuous access; add protein/veg weekly
Supplements
Cuttlebone / crushed limestone always available (calcium)
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Safe; harmless — but minimise disturbance to breeding colonies
Communal
Yes – colony/communal, keep as a group
Defense / stress signs
Rolling into a ball, hiding, colony stalls if too dry
Reproduction
Reproduction
Broods young in a marsupium; slow but year-round once established
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsColony crash from low humidity or lack of calcium; mite overgrowth
Red flags / quarantine
SignsQuarantine new stock; watch for grain mites and mould
Good to know
- Its yellow face-plate and round body look uncannily like a rubber duck.
Others in this group
Common Pill Bug / Roly-Poly (morphs)Armadillidium vulgareLittle Sea IsopodCubaris murinaDairy 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