Isopods Shop

PLEASE NOTE: No shipping between Nov. 23-29th or Dec. 22nd-Jan. 3rd.

Isopods

Springtails

Isopod Food and Supplies

Live Food Cultures and Supplies

Other Live Goods

Shipping and Terms of Service

ISOPODS

I cannot ship isopods to Hawaii or Florida. For other restrictions, please see each item.

Armadillidium klugii ‘Montenegro’, Clown Isopod, $3.50 each, currently available (cannot ship to Florida)

This striking species is thought to mimic venomous spiders with which it shares a native range. The isopod, of course, is not venomous. It appreciates good ventilation and plenty of dry substrate, though it needs a moist area where it can hydrate. They are a somewhat shy species that appreciates high protein foods.

Armadillidium klugii ‘Orange’, Clown Isopod, $3.50 each, currently available (cannot ship to Florida)

This morph of A. klugii is likely descended from ‘MONTENEGRO’ stock. I find this morph to be quite as beautiful as the wild type, which is saying something. Just like the wild type, it appreciates good ventilation and plenty of dry substrate, though it needs a moist area where it can hydrate. They are a somewhat shy species that appreciates high protein foods.

Armadillidium maculatum ‘Zebra’, 12 juvies for $14, AVAILABLE (cannot ship to Florida)

This beautifully striped species is a hardy isopod, perfect for beginners. I have been working on this strain for a few years for cleaner stripes-(I am also working on an even cleaner line, not pictured here. Ask me about it if you are interested.). Zebra pillbugs are active and bold, especially in numbers, and are easy to breed. They do appreciate good ventilation and both a moist and a dry area.

Armadillidium maculatum ‘Random Mix’, available, 12 for $12 (cannot ship to Florida)

These zebras may be spotted, striped, yellow, high white…anything goes! These are just as hardy and fun as other zebras. They are active and bold, especially in numbers, and easy to breed. They appreciate good ventilation and both a moist and a dry area.


Armadillidium nasatum ‘Whiteout’, available, 12 for $16

The Whiteout morph of this isopod does not appear to produce any pigment at all…even the eyes are white! It may show some hint of color if fed food containing carotenoids or similar natural color enhancers. Like all others of its species, it is very undemanding. It can tolerate low ventilation, but also does fine with more ventilation. It is more prolific than A. vulgare, and reaches a smaller adult size on average.

Armadillidium vulgare ‘Magic Potion’ (the original), AVAILABLE, 12 for $40

These are the original ‘Magic Potion’ A. vulgare. Unlike some stock with May have been mixed with other lines, my stock comes directly from Kyle Kandilian. (Jay Fiore collected the founding specimens in the state of Georgia, and Kyle selectively bred them for increased yellow markings.) They are a large, somewhat slow-growing strain.


Cylisticus convexus ‘Ukraine Pied’ Isopod, available, $18 for 12, (Cannot ship to Florida or Oregon)

These are a great little cleanup crew isopod. They adapt to a variety of of conditions. These also have some rich, unique, variable patterning, unlike most other pied isopods in the hobby.

Oniscus asellus ‘BC Maple’, available $40 for 12, (Cannot ship to Florida or Louisiana)

This wonderfully vivid, glossy, orange morph was first isolated in Canada, and its name honors its origins. It likes cool, moist, stable conditions, and a decent amount of protein. It reaches a fairly large size. Underrated, but can be prone to dieoffs if conditions do not suit it.

Porcellio dilatatus ‘Giant Canyon’ Isopod, 12 for $12, AVAILABLE, (Cannot ship to Florida, Louisiana, or Oregon)

These moderately large, burrowing isopods are hardy and good breeders. They can adapt to a wide range of humidity and ventilation, and can be great as a cleanup crew in a bioactive vivarium, even a semi-arid one, as long as they have access to a damp area in which to hydrate.

Porcellio laevis ‘California Mix’ Isopod, 12 for $20, available, breeding to restock (Cannot ship to Louisiana or Oregon)

These variable isopods are a California locality that throws white, peach, pied, specimens that look like Milkback and peach Milkback, and wild types. They are reasonably active and prolific, though not quite to the level of Dairy Cows or Milkbacks in that regard.


Porcellio laevis ‘Orange’ Isopod, 12 for $16, LOW STOCK (Cannot ship to Louisiana or Oregon)

These are slightly smaller and less prolific than Dairy Cows, and seem to be more shy. They feature a glossy, paler orange than P. scaber.

Porcellio scaber, wild type. Known as the common sowbug, this species make a great cleanup crew for many bioactive vivariums. This stock may throw occasional orange, calico, or other morphs. 12 for $6, available

Porcellio scaber ‘Hobble Creek Calico’ Isopod, 12 for $12, limited quantities available , Cannot ship to Louisiana)

These locality calicos were collected in the Hobble Creek area of Utah. Some are mottled, other are gray.

Porcellio scaber ‘Lava’, breeding to restock, 12 for $30, (Cannot ship to Lousiana)

This is actually a locality, rather than a morph, with beautiful contrasting markings. Most individuals have both dark gray and orange to red-orange markings, though a few are entirely dark gray. The gene behind the coloration may be a codominant trait. These are sometimes a little more difficult to care for than some other P. scaber strains. They appreciate a dry area, but need a hydration station as well.

Porcellio scaber ‘Lemonade’, AVAILABLE, 12 for $12, (Cannot ship to Lousiana)

This lovely, lemony pale morph is is descended from Calico stock, but all individuals are pale-no wild types appear, unlike in some other calico morphs.

Porcellio scaber ‘Lottery Ticket’ Isopod, AVAILABLE, 12 for $12, (Cannot ship to Louisiana)

These may be white, Dalmatian, Orange, Orange Dalmatian, wild type, or possibly pied or other expressions. Great as a bioactive cleanup crew, a great mix of morphs for beginner isopod hobbyists, or anyone who likes variety.

Porcellio scaber ‘Orange Dalmatian’ Isopod, 12 for $12 available, breeding to restock (Cannot ship to Louisiana)

This attractive morph is extremely prolific! Some individuals are nearly pure white, many have some tiny specks of orange, and a few have large orange blotches. Great as a feeder isopod.

Porcellio scaber ‘Orange Pied’ Isopod, B grade, 12 for $12 available, breeding to restock (Cannot ship to Louisiana)

Unlike ‘Orange Dalmatian ‘, these interesting and variable specimens often have a high expression of both orange and white, though some might be solid orange or solid white. They are “B grade” specimens , meaning most of them do not have the even white midsection and orange head and tail I am selecting for. They are still beautiful, and they may produce some offspring that have the perfect ‘orange pied’ appearance. Quite prolific and hardy, as many P. scaber morphs are.

Porcellionides pruinosus ‘Orange Cream’, available, 12 for $12.

This is my favorite morph of Porcellionides pruinosus. They are prolific, hardy, fast-moving, and very active during the day, especially in high population densities. Great as a speedy display species, a good cleanup crew in many situations, and even a good feeder!

Porcellionides pruinosus ‘Party Mix’, available, 12 for $14.

If you want a lot of color and activity in your bioactive cleanup crew or display, this hardy and prolific isopod is one of the best for any bioactive vivarium cleanup crew with decent ventilation, even in semi-arid setups, provided they have access to a damp area to hydrate. They are very active during the day, especially in high population densities. The mix you receive may include and/or produce Powder blue, Powder Orange, Oreo Crumbles, Whiteout, Caramel, Orange Cream, and others. I’ve seen a few surprises in there!

Isopod Supplies

Supreme Isopod Chow-SOLD OUT

Aquarimax Pets is proud to be a distributor of our favorite supplementary isopod food! Supreme Isopod Chow is produced by Wally and Nanette Kern of Supreme Gecko. Available in 3 formulas: Original, ++Protein, and Veggie x10.

Supreme Isopod Chow, Original, 2 oz. $5.00 / 8 oz. $14.00

Supreme Isopod Chow, ++Protein, 2 oz. $6.00 / 8 oz. $16.00

Supreme Isopod Chow, Veggie x 10, 2 oz. $6.00 / 8 oz. $15.00

ISOPOD STARTER KITS-NOT AVAILABLE

Complete isopod starter kit— $8.00

If you want an easy start with your isopod colony, this may be the enclosure for you. This 24-oz enclosure with lid measures 4.5 x 3 inches. It features molded vent holes, situated for good cross ventilation. The enclosure come with everything you need to get started: isopod substrate mix, leaf litter, a suitably sized basic hide, and some sphagnum moss. Just add water and springtails for a perfect starter habitat for your isopods!

Most small- to medium-sized isopod starter colonies will thrive in this enclosure for the first couple of months. Once their first clutch or two of offspring have begun to grow noticeably, move them to a larger enclosure, such as a 6-quart sterilite tub. This is enclosure is not recommended for start colonies larger than 20 adult individuals of most isopod species, or for the large Spanish Porcellio species.

I can fit up to 2 of these with most isopod orders . More than two will need to ship separately as dry goods.

Binless 6-quart Isopod Starter Kit -not available

Buy your own 6-quart bin and add this starter kit for a simple and complete isopod habitat! Includesse soil-less Instinct Habitats substrate, leaf litter, and one or more basic hides. The leaf litter has been heat sanitized, in accordance with APHIS guidelines. Just add water, springtails, and isopods! Due to size, this kit ships separately from live orders, via priority mail. $15 for the kit, $8 to ship.

Heat-sanitized leaf litter, available, 1 gallon bag, $8.00, 1 qt. bag, $3.00

mixed fallen, hardwood leaves. This is the same mix I give my own isopods, and they thrive on it! In accordance with APHIS guidelines, prior to shipping, they have been baked at 200 F for at least 30 minutes.
1 quart bag — $3.00

1 gallon bag — $8.00 (Will usually fit in a box with small orders if I crush them up, but may need to ship separately with larger orders.)

Springtails

Aquarimax Springtail food 2 oz. / $5—they DEVOUR this food, and breed quickly on it!

A starter springtail culture in a 2-oz. deli cup (approximately 25-50 springtails) is $10. Please contact me for more information.)

Live Food Cultures

Daphnia, $15 per starter culture, (150-200+) AVAILABLE. For Express orders, an additional $15 fee applies. For Priority and Express orders, there is a $5 fee per additional bag of aquatic organisms.

Amphipods/scuds Hyalella azteca, $15 per starter culture, AVAILABLE.

For Express orders, an additional $15 fee applies. For Priority and Express orders, there is a $5 fee per additional bag of aquatic organisms.

Aquarimax Daphnia Food $6 for 2 oz. (dry powder, to be mixed with water), always available

Wingless fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster (wingless) or the larger, flightless Drosophila hydei. $6 per fresh culture, $8 for producing culture, inquire for availability.

Rice four beetles (Tribolium confusum) starter culture $6

Microworms $3 for starter culture, $6 for ready-to-feed culture

Microworms are an excellent food for nano fish, as well as fry. They are a slow-sinking alternative to brine shrimp nauplii, and are extremely easy to culture. See my culture tutorial video here: https://youtu.be/4G459VxxdxA?si=4SZ_jjOOTWhvEVM_

Vinegar eels $3 for starter culture

These tiny worms float in the water column, providing a great food for fish fry too small to eat newly hatched brine shrimp. They are easy to culture and low maintenance.

Other Creatures

Shrimp

Opae Ula (Halocaridina rubra) $4.00 each

For Express orders, an additional $15 fee applies. For Priority and Express orders, there is a $5 fee per additional bag of aquatic organisms.

I include at least one extra shrimp per order, and some of their favorite macroalgae to make their trip more comfortable. For Express orders, an additional $15 fee applies. For Priority and Express orders, there is a $5 fee per additional bag of aquatic organisms.

(Make sure you have a properly cycled brackish tank before purchasing opae ula. Full instructions available here.

Fish 

Blue Star Endlers (Poecilia wingei) 1 pair plus ~8 fry $25, available

These beautiful Endlers Livebearers are class “P”, which means they appear to be pure stock, but do not have documentation. For Express orders, an additional $15 fee applies. For Priority and Express orders, there is a $5 fee per additional bag of aquatic organisms.

Reptiles

Mourning geckos, Lepidodactylus lugubris, hatchlings/juveniles, Low stock, inquire for availability, shipping express or Ship Your Reptiles (via FedEx Overnight) only

Two geckos for $50, or 3 for $70

Shipping

I generally ship Tuesdays. To ship on Tuesday, your order must be made by Friday of the previous week at 1 pm US Mountain time. Please let me know ASAP if you need another ship date, and we’ll see what we can work out.

I ship live goods in foam-lined boxes with heat or cool packs if needed.

Priority shipping: $15.05 (Not available in December or January, or in extreme weather)

Priority Express usually 1 or 2-day, $45.00. (Required in December and January, or in extreme weather)

Terms of Service

Shipping address

I will use the shipping address in PayPal unless you specify a different preferred shipping address. You are responsible for making sure your shipping address is up to date in PayPal, or specifically notifying me of a preferred shipping address along with your order.

Live Arrival Guarantee

I am not responsible for postal delays. NO guarantee of any kind is provided unless you choose Priority Express (not priority) shipping. Temperatures must be above freezing and below 95 F in my ZIP code and yours during the time of transit. There may be exceptions for certain temperature-sensitive species, which is will note at the time of inquiry.  I may suggest or require that you pay a nominal fee for cold or heat pack(s) if temperatures are near these extremes. 

Refund Policy

I am not responsible for postal delays. NO guarantee of any kind is provided unless you choose Priority Express (not priority) shipping.

(If there is a DOA under LAG coverage, send me clear photographs of the deceased animals within 6 hours of receipt. I will refund the purchase price (not including shipping) or reship once, at my discretion, although every effort will be made to accommodate your preference if one is expressed.)