Best Isopods for Arid Enclosures?

[@WolfieDawn]

List of isopods: 4:00 Giant Canyons, bury selves, active at night. 4:22 Powder Blue, small and fast, likes warmer temps, prolific, out during the day. 5:28 Wild type, Ukraine Pied, burrows. Moderately prolific. 5:47 Peach, White out, Pearl, prolific. Tolerates range of conditions. Can conglobate = roll into a ball. 6:20 Zebra pillbug. Can roll up. 6:26 Punta Cana. Can roll up.

[@BillieRC]

I love when they roll into a ball

[@sienguo69]

Woah, I’ve been trying figure out what isopod I should accommodate with my leopard gecko, and this vid comes just in time! Thank you so much for the info, I’ll be getting a batch of powder blues for him

[@amiahallen934]

Same!

[@ithewho6603]

I had a patch of orange pruinosus but they all died. Now I'm going with p. laevis orange and they seem to be doing fine. I have the room temp side of the enclosure quite humid and the warm side rather arid. Overall it's 30-40% humidity but I have moss under the logs and I spray the cool side and under the log.

[@HardcoreSlot]

Yes! Exactly the info I needed. I want to set up my hognose bioactive. Look forward to seeing the tropical version of this video too!

[@hognoseharley2137]

Same me too !!

[@TRAT0R]

It's crazy you posted this when I got my dragon and was considering a bioactive years ago ended up holding off til he was older and I found this video again so thank you for posting it!

[@thechickenwizard8172]

I'm looking into setting up an arid bioactive setup in a few months, and this video really helped. Thanks!

[@SupremeGecko]

Really good video Rus. Most needed.

[@logancarroll8329]

Terra Sahara works great for my beardie ! I love the Biodude🤘🏼 springtails thrive in my terrarium. Gonna try out some isopods.

[@sneekyalexa2657]

I'm still trying to learn about species as far as clean up crews, Do you happen to know what type of springtails they are? Like common and or scientific name? I'm trying to make sure I get some that are arid tolerant for a leopard gecko bioactive vivarium! 😊

[@Tarasaurus13]

I'm also curious about what kind of springtails you have!

[@frankdughtank8327]

I know many people that would find this video helpful

[@Aquarimax]

Share it with them if you like! 😊👍

[@Crystalspets]

I just love the information you bring to the table there is away so much to learn

[@Aquarimax]

Thank you Crystal! I always appreciate your support!

[@reneryan8427]

I was just wondering about this today. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@HellyeahRook]

Oooh this is perfect! I am making an arid bioactive enclosure for my uromastyx! Thank you for this info. :)

[@jdssurf]

You put isopods in there? I wouldn't think there would be any humidity at all, also figured they would cook from that heat. How did it go

[@oun6661]

Thank you again. Just found your channel tonight, and as I scroll your knowledge is definitely helping in my research.

[@Stien58_]

Ive also seen people use porcellio scaber Giant Orange isopods with success, as well as dwarf whites

[@christieburt4181]

Thanks for another informative (and timely!) video! I always feel more confident in my choices when I can back up my research with info from your channel. :)

[@nomadhomad3685]

I just use the regulat purple rollie pollies that pop up here in R9b and they seem to do fine. The beetles pick up the slack too

[@Aquarimax]

That is likely the last species of isopod I I mentioned on this list…a solid option

[@hal-c]

Just ordered some powder oranges for my kenyan sand boa bioactive vivarium I'm setting up. I've watched this video several times during the planning phase of the setup. So much good info!

[@itsSaps]

Hey how are the powder orange isopods doing in ur setup?

[@hal-c]

@@itsSaps I hardly ever see them. I think they are content to stay underground closer to the moisture. Ever once in a while I'll see one or two exploring the surface. Started with 60 of them and they haven't been in long enough for the population to increase.

[@IsabelleHalverson]

i have a lot of Taratulas and mostly have spring tails in their bioactives for mold but I would like to experiment with isopods with my adults and my arborial species. i have Powder blues so I think ill start there!

[@Aquarimax]

Some tarantula keepers hesitate to use isopods for safety reasons, it seems like isopods with arboreals would be safer than with terrestrial species.

[@IsabelleHalverson]

ya safty for my Ts is #1 so im starting with one of my full grown arborials and using dwarf isopods. as long as the T is healthy isopods have plenty of coverage they shouldn't bother her @@Aquarimax

[@C.S.M.Hageroth]

Great video Rus. Beautiful presentation and great information. Thank you! 😊👍

[@rdnkenki]

I've been using Dairy Cow isopods for my Leopard Geckos with Top Soil, Sand, Moss mixture

[@Aquarimax]

They can be a good option too, especially since the leopard gecko may snack on them and help keep the population from exploding too much

[@rdnkenki]

It seems some Leo's eat them all! 😂 They disappear no trace and I see edging around everything. I'm sure he's hunting them in the night 😂 I may just breed giant canyon and refill as needed and also add a small darker isopods as main crew. Thank you for all your very useful content ​@@Aquarimax

[@Aquarimax]

@@rdnkenki in that case, your plan seems like a good one!

[@headstanding_Penguin]

I just started mealworm breeding and was wondering wheter I could include some kind of cleaning crew into the setups

[@Aquarimax]

@@headstanding_Penguin good question! Generally, mealworms serve as their own cleanup crew. If you include a moisture gradient in your mealworm enclosure, isopods could live there, but they might serve more as competitors rather than a cleanup crew.

[@austinwight1107]

I plan on using drawf whites they seem ideal

[@Aquarimax]

@@austinwight1107 For an arid enclosure? They tend to like a bit more moisture

[@jordantucker9799]

Are there any more videos of different cleanup crews, such as spring-tails and maybe beetles? Would very much like to know more.

[@Aquarimax]

I talk more about springtails in my bioactive substrate video. I need to do one on beetles!

[@alexeizankevich1244]

Hey Russ. I have a ball python bioactive setup that is usually pretty humid and I was wondering what do you think would be best for the pall python. I also have lots of wood in the vivarium which gets moldy at some times. I know it is long after this video was posted but would love to hear your thoughts

[@Aquarimax]

Porcellionides pruinosus would be a good option, as would Porcellio dilatatus, or Porcellio laevis. Cylisticus convexus would be an option as well

[@alexeizankevich1244]

@@Aquarimax WOW thanks for the fast response. I’m just very afraid of putting these things into my tank as I feel they will hurt the ball python. But I would like the mold cleanup and waste cleanup. Also how would I control the amount in my tank because I feel like once they go in they won’t stop multiplying?

[@Aquarimax]

If you are concerned, I would go with Porcellionides pruinosus, as they have a reputation for being quite safe. They will reproduce for sure, but there will be some limits imposed by the amount of food they get.

[@alexeizankevich1244]

What happens if too many are in the vivarium. It is a 40 gallon tank and I would find it very hard to get rid of them. Also a big question. I have a cork bark piece that my snake loves to hide under. I know that the isopods love to sit under them. Would that be a problem. Would they still be there if my snake is and vice versa.

[@dantewhiterose1958]

I have tortoise enclosures all arid species. 4 tortoise per enclosure. The enclosures are open top. Humidity levels are about 45- 60. I was thinking about using springtails and isopods. But I don’t want insects all over my Apt. what do you advise? Thanks, Dante

[@Aquarimax]

What are the enclosures made of? Isopods can’t climb clean, smooth glass or plastic, but scratched or dusty surfaces, or rough surfaces are easier to scale for them.

[@dantewhiterose1958]

@@Aquarimax Hi, it’s smooth plastic. Pics were sent to your Facebook page. And what about springtails? Same question. 😊 Dante

[@justinkmiddleton21]

My beardies isopods are doing excellent they over populate so much that I have to remove them occasionally the powder greys and orange especially

[@michellekent1289]

Which ones do you use? Trying to find some for my beardie

[@lerican7704]

Would an enclosure for Uromastyx still be ok with these isopods?

[@Aquarimax]

If you had a humid hide on the cool end, and a nice deep substrate, it might work, but it is hard to say.

[@lerican7704]

@@Aquarimax Well I'll be letting you know in the future how they do!

[@userFreeWilly8]

The hydration station (for the zebra pilbug): does that needs to be on the ground / on top of the soil? Or can I also build that higher up in the terrarium?

[@Aquarimax]

It is best to have it in a corner either moss all the way down to the bottom of the enclosure, on on top of the substrate in a corner, on the surface of the substrate.

[@tylerk4641]

Hey thanks I just came from the comment I left and you replied to on your other video. So if I have a dish filled with water in cooler side of tank would that be fine ? Or should I still spray the substrate in area to

[@Aquarimax]

I would still provide a humid area under a hide. You could dampen it regularly by spraying or trickling water there

[@jonathanlim3614]

Can I keep giant canyons with powder blues in my bearded dragon enclosure?

[@Aquarimax]

Their niches are different enough that they might not outcompete one another, especially in a large enclosure. It’s worth a try

[@jonathanlim3614]

@@Aquarimax thanks so much! Do you have a recommended amount I should get? I have probably about 25 or more powder blues. How many canyons would you recommend? 10 or 20? It’s a 67 gallon tank

[@Aquarimax]

@@jonathanlim3614 with a tank that size, I would start with more if possible. 50 of each if you can. Is there already a beardy in there?

[@Minyassa]

Uh oh. The one thing I was questioning, whether I can keep any isopods in with my BDFBs, lookin' pretty doubtful right now since you showed a BDFB when you talked about bone-dry enclosures. I've been watching your breeding videos and I was considering a large setup with a moister end for larvae; would that be viable to keep A. nasatum and springtails in with my beetles, in BioDude's substrate?

[@Aquarimax]

It might work…with that moist area . I have seen people keep A. vulgare with BDFBs as long as there is a good moist area.

[@joyglocker8318]

Thanks, that helped

[@guilhermemelo3741]

hello do u know anny online stor of isopods in europs that deliverst to portugal i only know a guy here in potugal put he only sell a couple species.

[@Aquarimax]

I wish I did...

[@junajunifah.radiani4514]

To bad in my country indonesia i cant find who selling tara sahara from biodude 😭😭. Do you have any recommended except that ??

[@Aquarimax]

I am not sure what is available there in Indonesia, unfortunately.

[@junajunifah.radiani4514]

@@Aquarimax i just have to make "experiment" i guess.. Hopefully it is works..😂 Cause here in indonesia no one's who ever tried arid bioactive enclosure,, they're "the cons" one's bout' this. If you know what i meant 😂

[@ProgressiveDiscussions]

I have so much of the powdered orange.

[@Aquarimax]

They will reproduce like mad!

[@chuckbronson4710]

Can you use an arid isopod in a more tropical environment? Isopods are hard to find due to the winter months and my local pet store has powder blues. Just curious.

[@Aquarimax]

If they have enough ventilation, powder blues can do well in humid environments. Not as well as in areas with a gradient, but still just fine.

[@perwarmell5741]

How about about Hemilepistus Reaumuri? Is there anyone who's been able to breed them? I'd love to get those to my arid settings.

[@lerican7704]

My C. Convexus Ukraine pied culture crashed while I was away for too long of a vacation ): they were my favorites.

[@Aquarimax]

So sad! I really like them too. So underrated in the hobby!

[@lerican7704]

@@Aquarimax Yup! I got them from somebody in NY for great price. My local person sells them for twice the price. Will give them another try for sure. I loved them

[@Aquarimax]

@@lerican7704 I hope you are able to get some! I have them available too 😁

[@lerican7704]

I saw that you can ship these to Florida, any reason other than the heat?@@Aquarimax

[@Aquarimax]

@@lerican7704 I need to update the website. I recently updated my permits, and can now ship that species to Florida!

[@LifeOfCrestedGecko]

ayo i love isopods i got some milk cows and they are doing really good 😀👍 keep up the good content

[@Aquarimax]

Thank you!

[@jdssurf]

i guess none would make it with Blue Death Beetles unless you made a separate smaller enclosure maybe and sunk it into the beetles habitat, keep the smaller enclosure humid, leaving openings for the pods to come and go. could be interesting.

[@monsterkajiu1912]

Best Isopods for Temperate Enclosures!!!

[@Rockdog333]

Oreo crumbles look alot like dairy cows

[@Aquarimax]

They do! Mini, turbo dairy cows!

[@quinnblacklivesmatter]

Awesome video!! Thank you!

[@Aquarimax]

Thank you!!