Culturing Dwarf White Isopods: A Quick Guide

Isopods can help clean your vivarium and/or serve as live food. Isopods come in many sizes; dwarf white isopods are one of the smaller species available. These isopods reproduce quickly,and do well in humid environments. Learn how to culture dwarf white isopods as a live food or as vivarium janitors.
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[@FloridaWildlife]

very prolific breeders and great Janitors for a Vivarium. TY A.P.!!!

[@Aquarimax]

Boss Frogs Livestream Thank you, I agree! Definitely one of my favorite utilitarian species!

[@SkwithOv]

I bought a culture of cubaris murina last month and a baby dwarf white came with it! at the time I thought it was a baby murina (my first isopods), but today I saw it again and it's definitley not a murina lol It's bigger now and I moved it to a separate container, hopefully they don't take over my murinas..... they're doing really well and I have probably at least 15 babies now!

[@Aquarimax]

SkwithOv I got my first dwarf whites in a similar way. Moving it was a good idea, as taking over other cultures is one of their superpowers. Keep a close eye on the C. murina culture to see if any more Dwarf whites show up. 👍🏽

[@Zuxeh]

Super video man, thanks a lot.

[@Aquarimax]

+Zuxeh Thanks for watching!

[@K5MOW]

Thanks for the great information. I definitely have a few different kinds of isopods for my vivarium's.

[@Aquarimax]

+The Fish Tank Guy 9057 You're welcome! We now keep about a dozen types, and I'm working on obtaining some additional species. I've found I really enjoy keeping them... they're useful, but also interesting in their own right.

[@DiGiTaLM4N]

+Aquarimax Around 4:20 instead of the whole drilling is it also possible to cut like a 2 inch square in the center and hot glue some very fine mesh/screen ?

[@Aquarimax]

+DiGiTaLM4N Yes, I sometimes do that as well, especially for species of isopods that appreciate higher levels of ventilation like Armadillidium species. The dwarf whites don't really need as much. Good question!

[@LamGorYun]

looks like they can hide under your nails too 😂😂😂. anyway great vid

[@tacticalveterinarian]

Very cool video!

[@mauricioyearwood1729]

Tank you very much

[@feliciafoster6165]

So cute. How did you get such a close view of these tiny creatures?

[@Aquarimax]

Felicia Foster The macro setting on my camera helped 👍

[@VTECsqznN2O]

Nice. I've had my culture for 3 years and also noticed that they like "meat" more than my other guys.

[@Aquarimax]

+VTECsqznN2O interesting how each species is a little different. :)

[@robmiller6785]

Check them fingernails brah. Other than that, perfect care video. Straight to the point and very clear. Thank you.

[@Aquarimax]

Rob Miller Thanks! Oh, no worries, I have clipped my fingernails since then. 🤣

[@sting1111]

All I could see were the claws… very impressive!

[@skyguy4164]

I found the video Hurray iw will gladly use this info when starting my culture for my puffer fish!

[@Aquarimax]

+Fish Guy good, did you find the link I sent you or did you just have to search? Either way, I'm glad the video is helpful. They're really easy to culture, I hope your puffer likes them!

[@skyguy4164]

+Aquarimax i hope he likes them to i did use the link

[@greenfairyarchive]

I’ve had the best luck growing my colony after adding mini potatoes that have grown their own roots to my substrate.

[@Tigerpuffer]

Good info, Aquarimax! Thank you. I just got a small culture of these at a herp expo to seed in my crested gecko enclosure, and I was wondering about food, temps, etc. This video answered all of my questions... I placed a corner of the enclosure they came in over a heat pad, and gave them some fishfood. How imperative is dechlorinating their water?

[@Aquarimax]

Glad to be of help! Sounds like a good setup. I always used distilled or purified water to be on the safe side. If your water is not heavily chlorinated it might not be a big problem though.

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

cool

[@adibees]

Love your channel Rus, got a question for you. How do you usually seed a tank with smaller isopods like Dwarf Purples? Thanks

[@Aquarimax]

adibees Thank you! I just add the isopods along with whatever substrate they come with. It is likely to add some beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms along with the isopods. It is usually best to cover them with some leaf litter to give them a chance to hide from any larger animals that might eat them, if such creatures live in the enclosure.

[@adibees]

@@Aquarimax Sounds good! Thank you Rus, i might scoop them up with a spoon with substrate since I'm culturing them in their current container.

[@Aquarimax]

adibees sounds perfect! 👍

[@gary9732]

hi great video my Q is don't you need charcoal in this isopod culture or just do it without ?

[@Aquarimax]

gary wright Thanks! You can use charcoal or not...it will work well either way. 👍

[@balzonurchin]

Would there be any issue with introducing springtails to an isopod culture to control mold?

[@Aquarimax]

balzonurchin Great question! Springtails work very well in an isopod culture to help fight mold, especially early on, when there are fewer isopods. As the isopod population increases, the springtails population will usually decrease, but not disappear.

[@SilkMilkJilk]

cheers Rus! Did you ever hear about mutations? I saw one of mine not having two antennae, but one central one. At first I thought he got harmed, but later I noticed two small ones with the same appearance. Coincidence?

[@Aquarimax]

SilkMilkJilk That is interesting! Mutations in isopods are fairly common, but usually in terms of color or pattern...fused antennae is not one I had heard of!

[@Aquarimax]

SilkMilkJilk I will be interested to see them 👍

[@amitk3043]

Awwwww 😊😊😊😊

[@Lampofilm]

I am from Minnesota, would the regular isopods you find under the logs work well in tanks with crabs or lizards? thanks for any help.

[@Aquarimax]

They can work just fine, but here are some things to keep in mind: they may have been exposed to pesticides or other contaminants that could harm your crabs or lizards, you could accidentally introduce parasites or pest organisms when collecting them wild, and finally, they might be large enough to be considered a food item by your lizards. That said, I know that a lot of people collect their own with success. : )

[@Lampofilm]

Thank you for all that great information

[@Tigerpuffer]

Definitely keep them on their own for a few generations to ensure that they pass all the nasty stuff that's in them, such as pesticides (as Aquarimax said)

[@IHaveTheBestSon]

I want to incorporate these and springtails into a bearded dragon enclosure. Now the bearded dragon requires 20-50% TOPS humidity.. so i was thinking to keep it around 30% How do these critters handle that low of humidity level.. or what is the level they prefer ?

[@Aquarimax]

MaTTyMaTT There are isopods, such as powder blues, that will handle lower humidity much better, as long as they have a humid hide. I would recommend using a species like that. Powder blues are one of the best species for more arid setups. 👍

[@cade75]

Would this care guide be applicable to other species of isopods? I just ordered some Armadillidium nasutum Peach

[@Aquarimax]

Ya boi Cade many of them, but Armadillidium require more ventilation. They will thrive if you care for them like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2HagZ9op92SpLc

[@tonyrodriguez4233]

Hey nice video. I was wondering will this species eat my scorpion?

[@Aquarimax]

Tony Rodriguez Thanks! Which species of scorpion is it! Some people keep these with tropical scorpions such as Pandinus spp.

[@TMOR99]

Hi! Very helpful video, thanks! I own two rabbits, and obviously have a lot of rabbit feces to go around, would it be smart to feed them some rabbit feces every once in a while? Just wondering. Thanks!

[@Aquarimax]

Ryan Lee They would probably eat it, worth a try! 👍

[@TMOR99]

Thanks! Working on getting my culture started right now.

[@jerumd]

I use dwarf white babies for my seedling venus fly traps lol Yes, they are indeed parthenogenetic..

[@Aquarimax]

AZN MGTOW ALLIANCE I never thought of that...a great and easy food source for VFTs!

[@jerumd]

Yes, i also feed cape sundew using this species.. I will only use dwarf whites with baby venus fly traps and nothing else because of their remarkable abilities to play possums. Giving me enough time to scoop one out with my micro scoop used to clean ears and throw em in the mouths of the smallest traps :) Jungle micropods on the other hand are just way too panicky or fidgety to me lol

[@Aquarimax]

AZN MGTOW ALLIANCE That makes a lot of sense...easier to handle. 👍

[@ey8648]

are magnolia leaves good for dwarf whites?

[@Aquarimax]

MetalFrogg Ye, They decompose slowly, but the dwarf whites will eventually eat them. 👍

[@petramatkovic4122]

Im wondering what else could i use as a source of calcium? I dont have cuttlefish bone and I heard isopods will start to eat plants in a vivarium if there is a lack of calcium.

[@Aquarimax]

Delta-8 Crushed eggshell works very well, and may be easier for you to get 👍

[@petramatkovic4122]

Aquarimax Pets Alright I'll see if that works. Btw thanks for such a quick response!

[@checal]

Tiny isopod hours

[@mackintoshpub]

I was looking to buy some of these, but I recently found a thriving colony in the pot of a houseplant even though I live in the cold regions of New England, and my house often gets down to 60 Fahrenheit. Is this normal?

[@Aquarimax]

Miriam Varughese That is a lucky find, nut not too uncommon. This species is found in greenhouses fairly frequently, and thus makes its way into potted plants. They do not breed particularly quickly in the 60s F, but can survive even lower temperatures short term.

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

Hey boss. You ever have trouble with dust mites? I'm getting into the hobby and well... I hear they can be a real pain in the ***. Are they a issue for not just fruit flies but spring tails and isopods as well?

[@Aquarimax]

A Halo Reach guy who pooped on C4dburys_the_w0lf Grain mites are the ones I have sometimes had issues with...probably the same type you are referring to. I have had problems with them in mealworm and springtail cultures, but yes, they can also be an issue with fruit flies. Food-grade diatomaceous earth in a thin layer surrounding your cultures can discourage them. Robust springtail and isopod cultures can usually fight them off eventually. 😊👍

[@mauricioyearwood1729]

ok so wath soft body species do you recomend and were can i get a starter culture

[@Aquarimax]

Dwarf white, jungle micropods, dwarf striped or powder blues could be good. Bugsincyberspace and many dart frog supply websites often have them. I carry them too.

[@rellewilson7814]

@@Aquarimax XYZreptiles

[@crookedfingers9627]

Your voice kinda sounds like Robert Sean Leonard's

[@Aquarimax]

Crooked Fingers Now I am curious, I'll have to watch something he is in so I can compare : )

[@InsectFromSpace]

I get strong Kif Kroker vibes..

[@Shaden0040]

how long should you bake the leaves and wood, gathered from nature, for? And that is 200 degrees F?

[@Aquarimax]

Pup314 i usually bake them for 30 minutes at 200 Fahrenheit. 😊👍

[@Shaden0040]

@@Aquarimax Thanks.

[@Aquarimax]

Pup314 you’re welcome! 😊👍

[@indigoontm]

Can you use dwarf whites with an arboreal tarantula or would they eat it when it molts?

[@Aquarimax]

I don’t keep any arboreal tarantulas…but many people tend to steer away from keeping isopods with tarantulas just in case.

[@indigoontm]

@@Aquarimax If you don’t mind me asking what do you think would be a good clean up crew?

[@ariframli1343]

Can you mix dwarf whites with other isopods?

[@Aquarimax]

I wouldn’t recommend it in most cases. Generally speaking, one species will begin to outcompete the other…and in most scenarios, the dwarf whites will win!

[@AidebHerb]

A variety of vfrëgetables and fruit.

[@londonr6422]

Hi, I'm starting a bioactive rat cage... Just wondering wether these isopods would be able to climb out of the cage and escape? Also will they take over the cage and eat through all my wooden items in the cage?

[@Aquarimax]

Did you see my recent live interview with Crystalcolubrids about bioactive rodent enclosures? Could be very helpful. Cage design would dictate whether they escape or not, but they do tend to dry out and die in household conditions very fast. They may eventually chew through the wooden items, but it will be a long time.

[@londonr6422]

@@Aquarimax thank you so much for your reply, I'll have a look for the video mentioned :)

[@Blue_cheese.]

I’ve heard that cocoa fiber / cocoa coir isn’t good for isopods. Is it ok to use?

[@Aquarimax]

Well, it CAN work fine for isopods (I used it for years with success) but this is an old video 😂. I use organic compost instead as a major component of substrate.

[@Blue_cheese.]

@@Aquarimax ok thanks I’m trying to breed my own for some terrariums

[@leapsengsuy3459]

What is the long and fast white bug ?

[@ianb.2575]

Springtails

[@mauricioyearwood1729]

can i feed these to angel fish it looks like a good food source

[@QuinCreeperKid]

Mauricio Yearwood no

[@ik8417]

Are Willow leaves good for dwarf whites?

[@Aquarimax]

I use willow Leaves in my mix to some extent. A mix is best, but some willow should be fine.

[@eugenebarthmallow8350]

Please please please help me. There are some strange fungi growing in my woodlice culture, breathing near the culture gave me a stuffy nose and I feel kind of sick. There are also miniature white worms in it. I don't know what to do please help me

[@littlemissmissy9395]

Adding springtails may help with mold control :)

[@stanislavmatura1891]

Please - does anyone know what the words trichorhina tomentosa mean? I have hard time to remember this name, so I tought if I know meaning of them it would be easier. But I couldn't find it anywhere yet..

[@Aquarimax]

x I looked the name Trichorhina tomentosa up. ‘tricho-‘ means ‘hairy’, ‘rhina’ means ‘snout’ or ‘nose’, and ‘tomentosa’ means ‘hairy’ or ‘covered with matted hair,’. So it guess the entire name means roughly ‘hairy-snouted hairy thing.’ 🤣👍

[@deltadogs2416]

Asked my boyfriend if he could add a isopod Colony of 20 to his order on Josh's frogs and he bought a colony of 100!!!! 🙄 Good thing they're so easy

[@Aquarimax]

Canine Eyes Indeed they are, and fast breeders too 👍

[@deltadogs2416]

@@Aquarimax great lmaoo

[@Aquarimax]

Canine Eyes 🤣

[@extremenature9190]

How were you able to identify the hitchhikers as dwarf white ? I’m suspiciously thinking the same thing has happened to me but it’s hard to tell if they are dwarf whites or babies

[@Aquarimax]

Extreme Nature Baby dairy cows look quite similar to dwarf whites..in fact many isopods are pale when young and can be hard to distinguish. By the time dairy cows reach the size of adult dwarf whites, for example, the dairy cows will usually have some dark markings. Their body shape is also indicative...dwarf whites are somewhat slimmer, especially as they dairy cows grow.

[@extremenature9190]

Aquarimax Pets thank you

[@cassandracorvilo154]

I have a dwarf purple isopod culture and it has been doing well but just the other day I found a bunch of tiny white worms in the substrate... does anyone know what these are or if they are bad?

[@Aquarimax]

cassandra draper they could be nematodes or enchytraeid worms...some nematodes can be parasitic, but there are plenty of harmless species among them, and some are even suitable as live foods. In a vivarium they can be unsightly, but usually not dangerous. How big are they?

[@cassandracorvilo154]

Aquarimax Thanks for the info! they are really quite small. they are like half a centimeter to a full centimeter in length and just super tiny in width. My isopods have been growing and breeding just fine and don't seem to be bothered by them. I am just worried that once I put them into the vivarium, which is for a crested gecko, the worms might be parasitic to my gecko. what should i do?

[@Aquarimax]

cassandra draper Sounds like they may be enchytraeid worms...if you google grindal worms or white worms, do they look anything like those? If so, they are not parasitic, and this will not pose any danger to your crestie but could be a bit unsightly in the vivarium.

[@cassandracorvilo154]

Aquarimax thank you for the help! Yes they look very similar to those worms but I was wondering if you know how to get rid of them?

[@Aquarimax]

cassandra draper Unfortunately, they are not easy to get rid of. I suggest removing as many of your isopods from the culture as possible, with as little substrate as possible, and putting them in a temporary container with a damp paper towel as the only substrate. Then, empty and thoroughly rinse your original culture container. Let it dry completely, and then fill it with completely new, fresh substrate (like clean cocofiber, soil from outside is likely to have more worms and other creatures in it). At that point, you can put the isopods back in. With a little luck, that should eliminate the worms.

[@Mariofredx]

Will these hurt a a small gecko? And do you sell these?

[@Aquarimax]

mariofredx The gecko is more likely to eat these than be harmed by them. I have these, but I am waiting for an addendum on my permit before I can ship them.

[@Mariofredx]

Aquarimax Pets ok thanks!

[@nozii06]

have you tried to feed them to fishes ? if so what that successfull ?

[@Aquarimax]

nozii06 I haven't yet, but I have heard that others do...I will try it and report back.

[@vicktorgunandar3726]

+Aquarimax hey can i use some cardboard like some people use ? and how long will they reproduce M

[@fernandoaries9817]

🐸🐸🐸🐸

[@Aquarimax]

Fernando Aries 🐸 🐸 🐸 👍

[@jacquelynbritz5062]

Where a good place to get some dwarf whites

[@Aquarimax]

jacquelyn britz I always have some on hand and can ship if you are in the continental USA. Bugsincyberspace has them as well, and quite a few folks on Arachnoboards keep them.

[@musicwithkelsey2212]

Aquarimax could you message my Facebook page Kritters With kelsey? I'd like to talk about your pricing about isopods and possibly order some

[@Aquarimax]

musicwithkelsey Sure!

[@Svue071]

I accidently created an awesome culture with hundreds of white isopods. The only problem is it also has mites. Is there a way to separate them?

[@Aquarimax]

Are there a lot of mites, or just a few? Also, are they grain mites or predatory mites?

[@Svue071]

@Aquarimax They're brownish in color and hide in the soil. They come out when the lights come on I think. I don't know what to do with the container. I've been trying to starve them by feeding only protein to the dwarf whites a little at a time.

[@Aquarimax]

@Svue071 do they gather in large numbers on food they you add? Like a slice of potato?

[@Svue071]

@@Aquarimax I'll have to try that again because I don't remember. I've been feeding them some of the isopod powder but mainly fish flakes.

[@denisemajor9470]

Can you add springtails in with the isopod culture to reduce chance of mold?

[@Aquarimax]

denise major Yes, it is beneficial, and I do that myself.😊👍

[@denisemajor9470]

Thankyou, I will do that too then.

[@GatorDave]

Should the culture be stored in the dark?

[@Aquarimax]

Gator Dave I keep most of my isopod cultures in ambient light during the day. I have kept them in dark cupboards, though, and that also works well. 👍

[@GatorDave]

Aquarimax Pets awesome! Thanks for the fast reply! How deep do you suggest making the substrate for a starting out dwarf white culture?

[@Aquarimax]

Gator Dave I would say about 2 inches. Less is certainly possible, but it will dry out faster.

[@--Paws--]

Is this good for fish?

[@Aquarimax]

Julius Toledo some people feed these to fish, especially small pufferfish, because they appreciate the crunch.

[@--Paws--]

Thank you, I am researching on a variety of food particularly for a dwarf puffer.

[@Aquarimax]

Julius Toledo My dwarf puffers liked amphipods, daphnia, grindal worms, very young earthworms, and (of course) snails. They all have their individual tastes, but I bet most would like these tiny isopods 👍

[@dinosaurterrorworld144]

Do Dwarf white Isopods make good pets???????

[@Aquarimax]

Dinosaurs terroir World They are east to care for, but not very visibile. I would suggest a larger, more colorful, more surface-active species as a pet, such as a zebra pillbugs or orange Porcellios.

[@dinosaurterrorworld144]

Aquarimax I do have tropical grey isopods for my backyard as pets and they are really cool pets to keep they have exploded in number form 15 to 40 in just a couple of months and also they are playful as will!!!!!!!

[@Aquarimax]

Dinosaurs terroir World well, if you enjoy isopods in general ( as I do), you would probably like dwarf whites 👍

[@dinosaurterrorworld144]

Aquarimax ok if I find some I will lot you know I think I find some a long time ago in my ground at some point

[@Aquarimax]

Dinosaurs terroir World where do you live? I mean, in what general area or region?

[@mauricioyearwood1729]

the reason for the question is that the black species is readily available in my backyard

[@Aquarimax]

+Mauricio Yearwood Angelfish would probably enjoy some of the smaller, softer-bodied species. I'mnot sure what they would think of Armadillidium vulgare or Porcellio scaber (two of the most common backyard species). They'd probably go for young ones. The adults I don't know. Honestly I would be cautious these days about feeding anything to a fish found in a backyard...they could have been exposed to pesticides or other contaminants.

[@ZomBeeNature]

I started putting isopods in my terrarium in February and every once in a while ever since and I finally just got some babies! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKukZZSDZcRqqac

[@uomorana71]

it's latin so the pronounce is treecoreena

[@Aquarimax]

Hai proprio ragione...ho adoperato la pronuncia solita qui negli Stati Uniti perché più riconoscibile dalla maggioranza degli spettatori. 😊👍

[@jib3816]

The so called small isopod is actually could spring tails

[@Aquarimax]

Jaidens Wildlife There are springtails in this culture, along with these dwarf isopods. I keep springtails with all of my isopods.

[@jib3816]

Oh I thought you called them spring tails

[@Aquarimax]

Jaidens Wildlife springtails are a different group, but they enjoy similar habitats.