Isopods are ancient marine invertebrates that come in a variety of sizes and colors. They are essential for virtually any ecosystem they reside in, as they break down any bio waste, help manage the population of pests and parasites, and are an important part of the diet for a variety of animals.
These traits are why many pet owners seek out isopods for sale and make bioactive tanks (enclosures that can mostly function on their own from natural processes). In addition to being a nutritious snack, they also make excellent enrichment for animals that love to seek out their own food. Because of this, many reptile, insect, and small rodent owners opt to breed a ready supply of isopods.
There are a variety of small, easy to care for isopods that proliferate quickly, and might even become a sort of pet that has a unique place in your home. If you’re looking at isopods for sale that would be an excellent choice for basically any setup, this is the place to start.
Powder Orange Isopods
Powder orange isopods have a soft, creamsicle-like hue to their outer shell. As the name suggests, it can range from a light “dusting” of color to a vibrant, unmistakable orange that stands out among darker substrates. These isopods are known to have slightly softer bodies, and reproduce faster than some other species.
Powder Blue Isopods
Being the same species as the previously mentioned powder orange isopods, powder blue’s hold many of the same benefits. While the blue gene is recessive, you can indeed have a mixed breeding colony of blue’s and orange’s.
Dairy Cow Isopods
While the dairy cow isopod typically grows a bit bigger than the other two entrants in this list (at over half an inch), they harbor many of the same benefits. Staying true to their dairy cow moniker, these critters sport a notable black spotting on a bright white shell that makes them both visually appealing and easy to see in plant matter.
Pros to Keeping Isopod Pets:
In addition to being excellent editions to any enclosure setup, here are some additional perks to keeping any kind of isopod:
- You can feed them basically anything. They are great for composting old food and leaves.
- They are relatively easy keepers.
- They breed quickly.
Isopod Care Tips
To help you achieve success in your new isopod colony, here are some tips that may be useful:
- Provide plenty of ventilation. Isopods can be dirty.
- Be sure to provide them with enough space to reproduce, if that is your goal.
- To prevent runaways, opt for smaller breathing holes in your enclosure, and/or cover them with mesh.
- Keep their living space at around 70-80 degrees.
- Wait until your colony grows before you put any of them into the tank of a larger animal. This will help ensure that they maintain a healthy population.
Final Thoughts on Isopod Pets
Isopods are a diverse, useful group of insects that are readily available and easy to proliferate. Whatever species you choose, you are bound to enhance your setup and make wonderful vivariums.