Quick facts
- Common types: Porcellio and Armadillidium
- Adult size: about ½–1 inch
- Lifespan: about 2 years
- Difficulty: beginner
- Also great as a clean-up crew in bioactive reptile and amphibian setups
- Springtails make good roommates. They eat mold and leftover food.
Enclosure
A plastic tub with small air holes works great. Keep one side moist and one side drier so they can choose.
Temperature
Normal room temperature, about 65–80°F.
Lighting & UVB
None needed. Keep them out of direct sun.
Humidity
Keep part of the substrate damp and part drier. Mist the damp side when it starts to dry out.
Substrate
Use a few inches of organic soil topped with leaf litter and rotting hardwood.
- Dried oak or maple leaves
- Rotting hardwood pieces
- Cuttlebone for calcium
Diet & feeding
Leaf litter and rotting wood are their main food. Keep it stocked.
Add small bits of vegetables and a little fish food or other protein now and then. Remove anything that molds.
Water
No water dish needed; they can drown. They get moisture from the damp substrate.
Handling
Isopods are fine to pick up gently for a quick look. Put them back on the damp side.
Common problems & the vet
- Colony dying off: usually too dry, or too wet with no airflow
- Mold: remove old food and add a bit more ventilation
- Tiny white mites: often from overfeeding, so cut back
Questions about your setup? Stop by and ask us.
