Everything you need to keep a healthy isopod colony — plus the species we currently keep and sell.
Isopods are the backbone of any bioactive cleanup crew, breaking down waste, leaf litter, and mold so your terrarium stays balanced. Most species share the same core needs — get these right and a colony will thrive with very little intervention.
A deep, organic substrate with good drainage. Keep one end of the enclosure damp and the other drier so isopods can choose their preferred humidity gradient. Never let substrate dry out completely or stay waterlogged.
Most commonly kept species do best between 70–80°F. Avoid prolonged exposure below 65°F or above 85°F, and keep enclosures out of direct sunlight to prevent overheating.
Leaf litter, decaying wood, and cork bark provide ongoing grazing. Supplement 1–2x weekly with fish flakes, fish food pellets, or vegetable scraps (carrot, squash, spinach). Remove uneaten protein after 24 hours.
Isopods need calcium to molt successfully. Provide cuttlebone, crushed eggshell, or a calcium supplement dish at all times, especially in bioactive builds with fewer natural mineral sources.
Starter colonies (20–50 individuals) do best in a small, simple bin before being introduced to a display terrarium. This lets the colony establish and multiply without predation risk or competition for food.
The most frequent causes of colony crashes: substrate too wet or too dry, insufficient ventilation, not enough calcium, and overfeeding protein that grows mold. Watch, adjust, and keep it simple.
Add a springtail culture to every bioactive enclosure alongside your isopods. Springtails devour mold, fungus, and the microscopic decay that isopods leave behind — the two work as a team. They're your first line of defense against mold blooms on leftover food or damp substrate, and unlike isopods they thrive on fungal growth itself, so a healthy springtail population usually means a mold problem never gets the chance to start.
Our current lineup of isopod species available for sale. Pricing and availability details coming soon.
Pricing & Availability In Progress — click any species for care info