The Best Clean Up Crew Isopods?

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[@neojc128]

6:19 the nibbling isopod has been trying to bite you since it's noticed you were pinning another one between your thumb and the piece of wood. I've watched it carefully. It got closer, investigated the stuck isopod 4:53 and moved on to bite you 5:03. It tried to get you off until you let go of the piece

[@Aquarimax]

🤣 I hadn’t noticed that!

[@monicacarolina6480]

awesome, I did not notice that. Great!

[@joelh6514]

You may find it interesting that my aquarium of dwarf whites have survived the winter on a cold windowsill at 50-55 degrees. They haven’t multiplied since the fall but they are alive.

[@Aquarimax]

Joel H It is indeed surprising they have survived that long at those temperatures! 👍

[@ollie8314]

I have a little terrarium that has some dwarf whites, on a windowsill that gets pretty darn chilly during winter - I thought they were all dead but I just saw some crawling around the other day in there! I wonder if they go in to some sort of dormancy.

[@nick92028]

5:00 just an ecosystem in a box. I do it for all my aquariums too.

[@ProgressiveDiscussions]

I like to combine dwarf purple or dwarf white isopods with dairy cow isopods as not only a great clean up crew but a secondary and sometimes primary perpetual food source for inverts. I chose dairy cow isopods because they are among the fastest breeding.

[@pyramidion5911]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I've been using worms to compost for about a year and now I'm looking to add isopods and springtails to my bins. The goal is to make compost as biologically diverse as possible. If you (or anyone reading this) have any more recommendations for critters to add to a compost bin or tips on adding different species to the same bin please let me know.

[@Aquarimax]

I think a bin with springtails, isopods, ne composting worms sounds like a winning combination!

[@barbhelle5481]

I just missed you but am watching now.

[@Aquarimax]

Barb Helle Thanks for catching the replay! 😊👍

[@randomdebris]

Q: Could isopods be used to clean small dead animals to obtain their skeletons (for other hobbies)?

[@ToyInsanity]

Get a Dermestid Beetle colony. It is literally what museums use. Check out some videos on them. They are amazing.

[@Aquarimax]

Toy Insanity they are a great way to clean skeletons, that is for sure!

[@Aquarimax]

I have wondered the same thing. Some of the more protein-craving species could possibly do the job, but they would likely nibble on the skeleton for calcium and other minerals. Perhaps with good timing, it could work.

[@aurora_dawn123]

My Porcellionides pruinosus will eat meat straight to the bone.

[@ThePederangell]

blog.nationalgeographic.org/2013/01/17/flesh-eating-beetles-explained/#:~:text=Flesh%2Deating%20beetles%2C%20called%20dermestids,in%20a%20process%20called%20skeletonization

[@danieldemeta6172]

I have two kinds of California isopods

[@aquaticma]

It's getting warmer down here in Florida! Hoping to find some soon for a pacman frog terrarium 👍 I missed the stream but I'm rewatching.

[@Aquarimax]

Aquatic Ma I wish it were also getting warmer here!! Thanks for catching the replay! 👍

[@robertriso9156]

I missed your live stream, but now watched it. I love the information you provided and your isopods look awesome. I have a question on permits you mentioned how do I check on getting one and where do I go. Keep up the updates I love watching and learning more.

[@Aquarimax]

Robert Riso Thank you Robert! This is the website to get you started: www.eauth.usda.gov/eauth/b/usda/login?TRYIWA=TRUE&TYPE=33554433&REALMOID=06-ea214978-0164-4e6d-930b-2beabd73524f&GUID=&SMAUTHREASON=0&METHOD=GET&SMAGENTNAME=-SM-z8Prtm%2FocWzEXH2Fov%2FaW8jSCfz2Za1T34p25AuxW4kcYCJ7%2B%2Figc59RCL8bti60kElUAsE5PqDCgsLdwUKjp9Vmj6MgstcT0bInssBu7nMCjxVXAVBQqKjmpVvbcgyO&TARGET=-SM-https:%2F%2Fepermits.aphis.usda.gov%2Fepermits%2Findex.cfm

[@seamusbuckley6125]

Should you put springtails in starting isopod cultures?

[@Aquarimax]

Seamus Buckley I recommend putting springtails in any and all isopod enclosures, and doing so at the beginning is best..👍

[@user-ew4re4hh9x]

What isopods would be best in a tortoise enclosure as a clean up crew

[@user-ew4re4hh9x]

Would orange Dalmatian be ok ?

[@mathisguffroy5809]

Hello, I heard that isopods eat all the plants they can, have you this problem ? I want to do a bioactiv enclosure for my snake with many plants so dwarf white could be a good choice for them even if I prefer p. laevis

[@Aquarimax]

Some isopods are live plant eaters, others not so much. Armadillidium tend to munch plants. Porcellio and Porcellionides not so much.

[@Lillaniever]

Hello! I really need a opinion on Porcellio Laevis as a clean up crew. I keep them and Giant african land snails (GALS) together. Some People have told me that porcellio Laevis is very "predatory" and "proteinhungry" and can eat of my snails! They say they have seen The porcellios go in and out of the snails breathingholes and The suspision is is that The porcellios eat them. Do you have any suggestions? Is this True? In that case I need to get them seperated. I love my cows! :-)

[@Aquarimax]

Lilly Nilsson Great question. I think a lot of factors can influence the risk of keeping Dairy Cows as a cleanup crew. If they are getting plenty of food, including protein, I think the risk is lower. Hundreds of very hungry Dairy Cows would not be a very safe cleanup crew, in my opinion. That said, I use them as a cleanup crew with one of my cresties. They do an exceptional job, and my Crestie has not been harmed at all.

[@plant2188]

Would porcellionides pruinosus work well in a 40% minimum 70% maximum humidity tank with good ventilation? There would also be a humidity gradient. And what springtail species do you think would work well in a tank like that?

[@Aquarimax]

If they have a moist hide, then they probably would do well. I would try Sinella curviseta for the springtails.

[@L0GANTP]

I can never seem to catch your live streams. What do you think about giant canyons for a clean up crew in a leopard gecko tank? I've got a good colony of canyons, was thinking of adding some when I set up the 75.

[@Aquarimax]

Logan Pittman I think it is a good bet...leopard geckos would probably be interested in them as a food source, but the canyons are such good burrowers and fairly prolific, it just might work. Personally I use Porcellionides pruinosus with my leopard gecko, but giant canyons are worth a shot.

[@L0GANTP]

@@Aquarimax Ok thanks for the input, I did a test and confirmed that she will eat them, I guess I will just have to hope they stay hidden enough so that she cant have an impact on the population. If it doesnt work I will get some pruinosus like you said you have, and try that.

[@aliciadishman]

Stylisticas? My habitat will have side screens 3"×18" and screen top with dome and strip lights covering 2/3 of top. Is my powder blue and orange idea not the best for the ventilation? I was going on temp and moisture but just got to your Stylisticas part about ventilation. Also, i live in Maryland and can you ship there?

[@Aquarimax]

@@aliciadishman sounds like plenty of ventilation for powders. With side screens, I have some concerns the very young isopods might crawl right out. Aside from that concern, either powders or Cylisticus should work. I can indeed ship to Maryland 👍

[@aliciadishman]

I'm trying to find out if i have to keep a breeding colony of isopods for my bioactive setup. I've watched plenty of bio setup habitats but after they set up and add cleanup crew. The videos don't speak of maintaining a seperate colony to add in perpetuity. I will be setting up a bio active setup for my leopard gecko. Also, powder blue and orange isopods live together? Seems my research both are good for Leo setup with temperature as long as there is a humid hide, which there if course will be. Springtails will also be included and I only see one type at supplies sites. You noted you have a Leo in this video so hoping you'll answer my questions. I will supplement the isopods.

[@Aquarimax]

@@aliciadishman I think not is always preferable to keep a separate isopod colony, especially if the reptile inhabitant is one that eats small arthropods, as leopard geckos do. Powder orange is simply a color variation of powder blue, so they will live together just fine.

[@brittanymatthews9352]

What would you suggest for a pacman frog enclosure? I’m tempted to do dwarf whites because they’re smaller and less likely to get eaten, but I’d love some orange or spotted ones because they’re cute. Do you think a pacman frog would eat them faster than they can reproduce and kill the colony?

[@Aquarimax]

In my experience, and in that of some others, Pac-Man frogs seems to find and eat most isopods. I think something highly fossorial and/or small has a better chance, like the dwarf whites you mentioned. Perhaps something like Giant Canyons or Venezillo parvus might work?

[@brittanymatthews9352]

@@Aquarimax thank you for replying! I never considered fossorial, that makes a lot of sense. I also plan on lots of leaf litter and spots for them to hide for when they do come to the surface. I’m just worried that I’ll spend all of this money on bioactive just for the frogs to chomp them all 😭😭

[@Aquarimax]

I totally get how that can be a frustrating situation! If all else fails, springtails will probably do well in there

[@LinkBeats15]

Can ivory millipedes be housed with white dwarf isopods??

[@haileyseidner7084]

Yes. Millipedes and isopds do well together. I've heard they can compete for resources, but as long as they have plenty of decaying matter it will work perfect!

[@Aquarimax]

As you will see, there are many differences of opinion on this topic. 🤣

[@haileyseidner7084]

@@Aquarimax millipedes and pillbugs are closely related. As with any mixed species habitat there should be caution, but if you're keeping the millipede as the main dentrivore it may outcompete the other isods but in ny experience it has not happened as long as you have enough food for both.

[@haileyseidner7084]

@@Aquarimax but I agree, everywhere you look people have differentiating opinions. Some people hate bioactive period and will never try to introduce a clean up crew or house multiple species together. And that is okay, to each their own 😉

[@manuelh.7254]

are there any experience with "Porcellio Laevis" as clean up crew (for example for tropical snakes)? I never heard of any Isopods eating living repitles...

[@Aquarimax]

I have used Porcellio laevis with a crested gecko for years without issues. That doesn’t mean it will always work, but it can.

[@themodernshaman4858]

What would be suitable for a Brazilian rainbow boa vivarium? Thanks

[@Aquarimax]

Cylisticus convexus, Armadillidium nasatum, or Porcellio scaber would be good options.

[@Inverts4Introverts]

Q: which isopod would be good suited to clean up after a Is scullapendra dahani? I was thinking the dwarf whites? Humidity is about 80-85% with lots of dry spots. I've just read somethings on them eating the pedes when they molt.

[@Aquarimax]

Many invertebrates can be vulnerable to hungry isopods during/after molting. If you make sure the isopods have plenty of other food sources, you might do ok

[@Inverts4Introverts]

Is there a species that is known for being less protine dependent?

[@Aquarimax]

@@Inverts4Introverts Some, like Armadillidium species, seem to favor vegetable food more. It has a lot to do with whether other food is available as well.

[@Inverts4Introverts]

@@Aquarimax ok that makes since.

[@christopher1195]

What isopods would you use with a green bottle blue tarantula, fairly Airid environment! Also what isopods would you use with something like a Mexican red knee tarantula!? I feel like for a tarantula you would want a dwarf species of some kind that stay real small! Or my spidys would eat them!

[@Aquarimax]

I will be interviewing an experienced tarantula keeper on this very topic within a few weeks. Stay tuned!

[@susanbecker5610]

I have terrariums with no animals. I saw a video where they said their isopods were eating the moss. Is this actually a thing or could they have been mistaken? I would like to have Porcellio scaber ‘Lottery Ticket’ Isopods. Do you think these would do well in a plant only terrarium?

[@Aquarimax]

Many isopods will eat moss. Armadillidium are a genus that is very attracted to moss. Porcellio scaber might be less likely to eat moss, but might still do so, especially if there were not other food sources available.

[@susanbecker5610]

Thank you very much.

[@k.r.9606]

Is there an isopod that does well in a snail enclosure? Like 80-90% humidity and moist substrate?

[@Aquarimax]

I have heard if people using Porcellio laevis...but they might go a little crazy.

[@k.r.9606]

@@Aquarimax ok thank you!

[@zephari]

what species, if any, would work best with hissing cockroaches? And same question for millipedes?

[@Aquarimax]

Dwarf whites are said to be great with hissing cockroaches, as they do not have vulnerable oothecae (since the females retain them). Kyle Kandillian has said that his rubber ducky/ hissed enclosures also do well! He also keeps Porcellio scaber with his Centrobolus splendid us millipedes with good results.

[@zephari]

@@Aquarimax thank you for the response! I'll look into those species 😁

[@corgeta2657]

Can I use them for my jumping spiders tanks

[@minchifox4881]

What would be a good CUC to start for my new bioactive viviarium for my ball python? Humidity is kept around 60%.

[@Aquarimax]

I would recommend Porcellionides pruinosus. 👍

[@spicyidiot09]

Hi i am a very inexperienced snail keeper and i was wondering what kind of isopods youd recommend as a cleanup crew. i found a link to some porcellio laevis but you were talking about their protein cravings and snails wouldnt exactly be great at defending themselves so im not so sure about them now. Id be very grateful for some advice from an expert

[@Aquarimax]

Which kind of snails will you be keeping?

[@dividebio]

Hi Russ, thanks for the info. Can I house different species of isopods together as a clean up crew (dwarf white, powder blue, springtails) for both leopard and crested geckos?

[@Aquarimax]

It can work, but eventually one isopod what eliminate th other. I recommend going with one springtail and one isopod species….powder blues and Sinella springtails are a great combo for leopard geckos. With cresties you could do springtails abs either dwarf whites or powder blues, not necessarily both isopod aosdiss

[@dividebio]

@@Aquarimax awesome, thanks 👍

[@imaybestupid2045]

Man i can never get to the streams in time😭i need to up my game! I may be late but still nice video!

[@Aquarimax]

JUNK KNIGHT Netter late than never, thanks for catching the replay! 👍

[@savannahatlantasnail]

Can I collect Isopods from my garden and add them into my African land snail enclosure?

[@fabiohoogendijk2019]

Are the montenegro suited for a crested gecko bioactive enclosure?

[@Aquarimax]

They wouldn’t be my first choice…they work great with my garter snake bioactive, but garters need a strong moisture gradient like Montenegro

[@fabiohoogendijk2019]

@@Aquarimax thank you for replying! And what about the zebras?

[@Aquarimax]

The zebras might do a little better, but A. nasatum or Cylisticus convexus would be better suited in my opinion m.

[@222playlist]

Can redfoots eat them ?

[@aurora_dawn123]

I'm going to be using armadillidium maculatum and armadilidium klugii as a clean up crew, will they make a good clean up crew?

[@Aquarimax]

Joshua Knoebel. They can, but I wouldn’t use both in the same Vivarium. The zebras will likely outcompete the klugii.

[@aurora_dawn123]

Okay, thank you.

[@salty_potatoes7838]

Does anyone have any recommendations for cleanup crew isopods and springtails for leopard geckos?

[@Aquarimax]

I use Porcellionides pruinosus with my leopard gecko, they are great! I suggest Sinella curviseta springtails.

[@salty_potatoes7838]

@@Aquarimax Thanks!

[@salty_potatoes7838]

@@Aquarimax Would collembola springtails work?

[@Aquarimax]

@@salty_potatoes7838 all Springtails are collembolans...I am not sure I understand your question.

[@salty_potatoes7838]

@@Aquarimax Oh ok, I'm new to isopods and springtails so I don't know much. Thanks for letting me know!

[@amym.4823]

Anyone keep freshwater isopods in their aquariums? I'm thinking about giving them a try instead of shrimp.

[@WildHuntress]

Do you have any ideas for a clean-up crew that are mice friendly? I'm thinking that some of them show here would become mice lunch.

[@Aquarimax]

I think mice would eat many of them, yes. I did an episode about bioactive cleanup crew for rodents with Crystal colubrids that might help a lot! I’ll post it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYrdo2mYnbGHas0

[@m.n.477]

wow, they are ginger ! ;-)

[@Aquarimax]

M. N. 🤣👍

[@ellegntolover7605]

hi rus. i really need your help. my desert beetles have been so inactive recently and have not bred. they are nocturnal, but now they just sleep all day. i really don't know what i will do now. their behavior has changed and i cant seem to fix it. is there any supplemental foods that i could give them? i really need help

[@Aquarimax]

matty matt matt I’d like to help if I can. Has the temperature changed? Do you use a light for them? Which species do you have? What foods have you been offering?

[@ellegntolover7605]

@@Aquarimax Hi Rus! Thanks for replying quickly. 1. Yes. The temperature has dropped slightly but not drastic. It has just cooled down a little. 2. Their enclosure is by the balcony door, and it shines natural sunlight into their enclosure. 3. Urchin beetle. It's a type of desert beetle and part of the darkling beetle family. 4. Vegetables such as carrots and lettuce. Most of their food come from the leaf litter. I used to offer them dog food, but they would not eat it. Thanks again, Rus! Sorry for disturbing you. Edit : Sorry, it's not an urchin beetle but I forgot to clarify it looks like one.

[@Aquarimax]

matty matt matt I have noticed my beetles are not big fans of dog food, but they really like cat food. Worth a try. I would also be careful with the natural sunlight...if it is direct, it could heat up the enclosure too much. You may also want to try a little beetle jelly. Mine really go for it!

[@ellegntolover7605]

@@Aquarimax thank you so much rus

[@ellegntolover7605]

hi rus just another question. what can i substitute for cat food? are there any supplemental foods? what type of enclosure do you think would be good?

[@subhumanrogueminiaturesfor2538]

Half way through before somthing clicked. You sound really simillar to one of the creepy pasta stories readers.

[@Aquarimax]

I haven’t heard any of those, but maybe I should take a listen!

[@subhumanrogueminiaturesfor2538]

@@Aquarimax its not identical but the is definitly some bits and words that are very very similar to MrCreepyPasta. If like any weird stories ghost/creature based tales from the gas station is a great series hes done.

[@cassiesattler2327]

I have pea puffers! Ive been letting my first culture of dwarf whites grow. Ill see if they'll eat them!

[@franciscoleon1992]

hello