The numbers
Enclosure
2–6 L tub or directly in vivarium
Diet
Decaying plant matter, leaf litter, fish flake · Continuous; light protein occasionally
Temperature
22–29°C
Humidity
70–90%
Identity
Order / Family
Isopoda
IUCN / CITES
Not evaluated; no CITES listing
Difficulty
Beginner
Commonality
Extremely common bioactive cleaner
Adult size
~3–5 mm (tiny)
Lifespan
Up to ~3 yrs
Growth rate
Very prolific
Activity & niche
Micro-detritivore in substrate
Temperament
Peaceful, hidden
Venom / defense
Harmless detritivore; does not roll (cannot conglobate)
Price (THB)
40–120 per starter culture (indicative)
Enclosure and conditions
Temperature
22–29°C
Humidity
70–90%
Min. enclosure
2–6 L tub or directly in vivarium
Substrate
Moist coco/soil + leaf litter + rotting wood
Hides / decor / water
Leaf litter, cork bark; consistently damp
Diet
Staple food
Decaying plant matter, leaf litter, fish flake
Feeding frequency
Continuous; light protein occasionally
Supplements
Calcium optional (small species, low demand)
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Safe; harmless (too small to handle individually)
Communal
Yes – colony/communal; the classic feeder/cleanup species
Defense / stress signs
Population dip if too dry
Reproduction
Reproduction
Parthenogenetic-like prolific breeding; no males needed in most cultures
Common health problems
Common health issues
SignsVery hardy; crash only if bone-dry
Red flags / quarantine
SignsCan carry pest mites; quarantine feeder cultures
Good to know
- So prolific and tiny they're farmed as live food for dart frogs and velvet worms.
Others in this group
Common Pill Bug / Roly-Poly (morphs)Armadillidium vulgareLittle 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 pruinosusClown IsopodArmadillidium klugiiZebra IsopodArmadillidium maculatum