Zebra Isopods Armadillidium maculatum Care Guide

Armadillidium maculatum, the zebra isopod or zebra pillbug, is one of the best pet isopods! This video is amcare guide for Armadillidium maculatum, the zebra isopod. We’ll introduce this isopod species, talk about housing, care, breeding, and then its suitability in Bioactive vivariums, as well as how it does as a pet or display isopod.
Links to isopod supplies:
Here are isopod enclosure vents from a the Bug Hub: thebughub.shop/products/enclo...
Here you can find isopod enclosure vents from Hodge Podge Pods: / hodgepodge.pods
Here is a link to the Kathy Auto Magic Fungus gnat trap. It also works for other pest insects, such as fruit flies and mosquitoes!
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Check out these LINKS to Isopod foods and supplies below. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
#ad here is a link to the Fungus Gnat trap I tested in this video: amzn.to/3qtA2pn
#ad I use this breathable medical tape to cover ventilation of some of my isopod enclosures: amzn.to/35oMTkn
I really enjoy my enclosures from www.tarantulacribs.com/
Vivariums in the Mist makes some great isopod foods: www.vivariumsinthemist.com/is...
Wally at Supreme Gecko makes a great Isopod food: www.supremegecko.com/shop-onli...
superior shipping supplies.com makes the smaller isopod enclosures I show in the video.
#ad When I feed my isopods Repashy Bug Burger, they love it:
#ad 6-oz jar of bug burger: amzn.to/2PhSVKg
#ad 12-oz. jar of bug burger: amzn.to/2Mg3Nal
#ad Repashy morning wood is also a very popular isopod food my isopods love: amzn.to/2WdJq23
Isopods will munch on dried River shrimp as well!
#ad amzn.to/3qucDF2
#ad To give your isopods calcium, you can use cuttlebone: twin pack: amzn.to/2S9H3hG
I own a copy of book on isopods by Orin McMonigle, a great source of isopod knowledge:
#ad amzn.to/3zxntz3
#ad here is a link to the sphagnum moss I use to help hydrate my isopods: amzn.to/36BxXiz
#ad here is some organic compost. I use organic compost as an isopod substrate component: amzn.to/3ptpoPK
#ad here are the oak pellets I use for my isopod’s substrate: amzn.to/2JYaznQ
#ad here are some cork bark hides, perfect for isopods: amzn.to/3kyRaX7
#ad here is the coconut fiber brick that can be used in isopod substrate : amzn.to/38I4si6
#ad Here is a link to the 6-quart sterilite tubs I use to house many of my isopods: amzn.to/2syYGZJ
#ad Isopods love cork bark pieces as hides: amzn.to/2WaYOfu
#ad One of the best food/substrate ingredients for isopods are oak leaves, such as these heat-treated red oak leaves: amzn.to/2We6GNm
Isopod Substrate ingredients:
#ad 1 part Organic Compost: amzn.to/2Wn4VO1 (You can probably find it much cheaper at your local garden supply or hardware store)
#ad 1 part Alder Pellets: amzn.to/2MBYj9O
#ad 1 part pesticide-free hardwood leaves, you may collect them locally or purchased pre-sanitized: amzn.to/2We6GNm
#ad I make my own isopod substrate, but here is a link to Josh’s frogs isopod substrate : amzn.to/2TfyC1D
#ad For FREE 2-Day shipping on qualifying orders, try Amazon Prime: amzn.to/2N2HuFb
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. In other words, I earn a small commission when you use that affiliate link, at no cost to you.
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[@carolypolys2240]

I'm positively in love with the Zebra isopods I bought from Rus, they are even more beautiful in person, and so active-even during the day! I'll be referencing this video many times as I monitor their development. They are such an amazing species!

[@mellewedin8221]

I have tried feeding all my isopods different foods. They never eat it. If a fish dies I will give it to them. They will eat that. Maybe my sets have enough of their natural foods? They are what you would call bio set ups. They have springtails for roommates.

[@siyg]

@@mellewedin8221What do you feed them? How old are your enclosures? Population density? All questions you should ask yourself when isopods aren’t taking foods, sometimes mine take them during the night.

[@oleander9170]

chocolate zebras honestly look like they just came out of a valentines candy box 🍫💝

[@whitneygagnon8010]

I picked up a culture of these on an impulse back in April while at the tarantula shop and I’m completely hooked on isopods now! My setup came directly out of your videos and they are thriving, already hundreds of little zebras running around… thanks so much for the great care advice!!

[@dansteeby2564]

I bought zebras as part of the clean-up crew for my bioactive hedgehog habitat, but love them so much I haven't put a single one into the habitat yet! I've managed to breed ~10 zebras up to about 60 in just under 6 months. Not sure what I'll do with them but they look amazing!

[@gorathsghost6475]

Prolific is an understatement lol. I put 10 of these in a 40 gallon breeder plants and moss.. 9 months later I can't count how many there are. Truly aswome pet!

[@Crystalspets]

I love the zerba isopods collection

[@mpk6664]

Absolutely love my zebras. I only started with 7 individuals a month and a half ago, but I am up to 10 now. Gorgeous little dudes and gals.

[@leevandyke4562]

The ones I got from you are growing like crazy! Only 2 made it out alive and they had babies! I think im near 50 now. Hoping to get some more soon so I can have more genetics in my colony

[@nihil8131]

Finally after a few months I noticed my zebras had finally produced mancae yesterday evening. Great video.

[@Aquarimax]

Congratulations on the little zebras!!

[@apss5736]

this is a cool isopod

[@jethawk9941]

I just god some today and there just as cute as videos make them look I highly recommend them

[@mgtowdadYouTubeSucksCoxks]

armadillidium gestroi look like little U of M Wolverine players. I literally bought my first zebra culture today at a local store, and asked about the gastroi, but couldn't for the love of me, recall the name. Now I know!

[@mellewedin8221]

I can not wait for mine to come in.

[@zer0coolninja887]

Always good to see care videos

[@frankdughtank8327]

Excellent video rus!!!

[@Ecotectpestexpert]

great video mate 👍

[@kenjiro2676]

I got myself zebras and I enjoy them so much more than my magic potions

[@Aquarimax]

Zebras are definitely among my favorites!

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

an awesome isopod

[@TomokoAbe_]

They are so cute!

[@barbhelle5481]

Thank you Russ, love my zebras.

[@johannoren2787]

Awesome video, thanks, I am so excited to get started with isopods, gonna get the first batch next week and zebras is in the shipment.:)

[@LongBow-rg3vu]

Well, I guess KZbin un-subscribed me. Love zebras thougb. A friend of mine has some high whites that I'm trying to steal from her. Absolutely love them though. Even if my colony took like 6 months to start producing.

[@ericzliu]

I decided on getting zebra armadillidium after you helped answer my isopod/hermit crab question last time; what a coincidence that you've uploaded this video haha. a very informational video for me, thanks!

[@HeyItsIDK]

I'm curious, what was your question that got answered?

[@ericzliu]

@@HeyItsIDK hello! it's been a long while, but if I recall correctly I previously asked about whether zebra armadillidium could coexist with hermit crabs when they are molting (if they are protein-heavy isopods, like dairy cow isopods, which might eat the molting crabs). the answer was that they live perfectly fine with them. I've since given my crabs away, but I can confirm that those guys did very well with the zebra armadillidium with no issues

[@HeyItsIDK]

@@ericzliu Cool! That's interesting stuff, thanks for sharing ^^

[@ericzliu]

@@HeyItsIDK of course!

[@themantisgarden]

[@Aquarimax]

One of my favorites too!

[@themantisgarden]

@@Aquarimax I think they're everyone's favourite in one way or another.

[@Billbeaux]

Great video! What substrate mixture do you use and how often do you feed them? I'm fairly new to the hobby and just want to give my lil pooters the best life possible.

[@lindarodriguez5019]

I love my zebras and my cows

[@Mercedes_may]

YAY🥰🥰🥰 thank you! I want to get these adorable babies from you :) if we can still ship by spring that is. I am gonna set up a 5 gallon terrarium for them 🖤🤍🖤🤍

[@Aquarimax]

We should still be able to do so 👍

[@ms.rottenstrawberry1018]

I really want some zebra isopods because I just adore isopods in general and heard these were easy to take care of. But i am worried about them breeding. Will i have to consistently change the size of the tank due to breeding??

[@ryanwinters9375]

I’m trying to set up an invertebrate tank in my 55 gallon but I’m having trouble deciding between powdered isopods and zebra isopods

[@artworks.by.adel787]

I have a question do isopods carry any diseases?

[@siyg]

What type of millipede are they mimicking that makes them so bold? It’s for a Wikipedia article…

[@Aquarimax]

There are several species in the genus Glomeris they are thought to mimic.

[@Nytro1926]

Thank you Rus. Really cool video! I just started a Zebra culture with 11 new specimen and I hope it will goes fine. I just wonder how you "evaluate" the ventilation grade ? you saide moderate to high, but is it possible to evaluate that ? I've 4 vent holes in my box (around 50 mm diameter each, 1 per side of the box), seems to be okay for me but how do you know if it's enough tho ?

[@Aquarimax]

That should be plenty. I would consider that on the high ventilation side. You reminded me…I have been thinking I need to do another video on ventilation.

[@amyesworldcatherinesminime7945]

My zebras are doing well. Luckily not too well! 😉

[@Templeflower8909]

New isopod fan here. Thoroughly enjoy your videos. May I ask if you can keep two different colours of zebra Isopods together? Such as the yellow / black and white/ black. Many thanks x

[@Aquarimax]

Glad to know you are enjoying my content! Different colors of zebras will get along just fine, but they will interbreed, and that is not always perceived as a good thing. Keeping yellows together with normals will likely result in the loss (or at least a steep reduction) in the expression of the yellow trait in future generations.

[@Templeflower8909]

@@Aquarimax many thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge x

[@StripeGurger]

I got my maculatum last December and they've made me 2-3 broods in that time. I'm confident enough in their tub - I think I can make them thrive, I'm just excitedly waiting to see large numbers because they're so stunningly glossy in real life vs. images or videos of them! As an aside, Rus, which Trachelipus species do you keep and what are your favourites? I'm expecting ratzeburgii in the post tomorrow so I'm somewhat excited about the genus right now.

[@Aquarimax]

You’re right…zebras and most isopods look much better in real life! I don’t have any Trachelipus yet, hoping to get some T. rathkii ‘Pumpkin Pods’ at some point.

[@StripeGurger]

@@Aquarimax I really love the coloured epimera on the ratzeburgii, that and they tend to be fairly slate coloured like scaber. I quite like the unassuming looking isopods! Which is also why I like the Trachelipus arcuatus, which is criminally underkept or even spoken about, but it's visually just a chubby grey woodlouse. Then there's obviously the rathkii, but also I've recently fallen in love with the razzauti, caucasus and the undeniable width of the trilobatus. Trachelipus is begging for attention!

[@StripeGurger]

@@Aquarimax I also just learnt this recently, but certain Trachelipus can happily spend extended periods living aquatically. Which is why they readily inhabit flood plains, 'cause they damn can!

[@me-also-youtuber]

Dear Rus, May I ask one question? I have been keeping all my isopod species both springtails and dwarf whites in it. I've been keeping them for half a year without any problem so far. But, yesterday I've heard from the isopod sellers that cohabitation of dwarf whites (springtails are said to be OK)with any isopod species can make younger or weak individuals risky of being constantly irritated by D/W. I also have heard that vexation by D/W can make gravid female isopods rupture their offsprings prematurely. Do you think I need to hand-pick visible isopods and migrates to new DW-free settings? or just keep them as I used to do and watch how it goes? You are my isopod heroes!! please help me!!!

[@Aquarimax]

I think it would be best to separate the other isopod species from the dwarf whites. I have seen them damage or destroy other cultures, even if it takes years. Springtails can and should be kept with isopods. Thanks for watching!!

[@me-also-youtuber]

@@Aquarimax Thank you for a comment ~ Now, painstaking separation endeavour is left 😂😂😂

[@Cheesefiddlehorn]

Do you need heating for them? I’m located in the UK

[@Aquarimax]

Generally not, but it depends on the minimum temperatures in your house. If it gets chilly there are still many isopod species that will do well, just perhaps not the tropical ones. Zebras can handle cool temperatures.

[@PetPedesandPodsLLC]

Hey Rus, did you know Zebras are my favorite??

[@Aquarimax]

🤣😂😁👍 Yes I did, as a matter of fact! Can’t blame you a bit!

[@bigbondydudegaming4005]

can you mix yellow zebra isopods with normal black and white zebra isopods?

[@Aquarimax]

You can, but you will likely the dilute the yellow over generations.

[@amelliamendel2227]

I purchased 3 10 packs, how long before I will see them in a large paludarium?

[@Aquarimax]

Are you noticing any ending up in the water? Some isopods are very prone to drowning themselves

[@amelliamendel2227]

@@Aquarimax No, there's a ledge where they cannot get into the water. I just don't see any yet.

[@SohiHien]

Mine really aren't breeding much. They have had a few groups of mancae but the mancae don't seem to grow fast. I still seem to only have the original few adults left and then mancae of various sizes but none have reached the size of the adults. I have had them for over a year now and compared to my dairy cows or scabers they are kinda stagnant in terms of population growth. I care for them the same as all my other isopods. One side completely dry, the other wet with some moss. Leaf litter, feed veggies and other food like shrimp pellets, a mesh spot on the lid on the dry side of the container top for ventilation. Not sure why they don't breed well despite everyone saying they breed fairly quickly.

[@Aquarimax]

That is a puzzle, especially since they are breeding, but not reaching adult size…hmmm…

[@SohiHien]

@@Kasei7th I provide cuttle bone in the container. I also often feed shrimp pellets for protein which have calcium

[@mpk6664]

@@SohiHien Could a larger enclosure potentially make them grow better?

[@stephenbird5641]

I see a similar problem with Panda Kings. Rus mentioned that one species reduce their size when overcrowded. I think this is happening as I have thousands of apparently juvenile KPs that seem to have remained that size far too long and babies that are less than 1mm long ! I will do an experiment and take a few dozen into a new container and see if they grow or not. I'm thinking of buying reptiles to eat them, possibly Phelsuma geckos.

[@SohiHien]

@@mpk6664 There aren't many in there, like 50 at most. They are in a 6qt tub.

[@duotrapeze72]

you mentioned they munch on plants; are there any plants that are toxic to them? my vivariums have pothos, hoyas, and string of turtles

[@Aquarimax]

Good question…not sure about which ones would be toxic to them. They seem to have some mechanisms for dealing with some toxins…but probably not all.

[@duotrapeze72]

@@Aquarimax makes me want to do some science

[@Aquarimax]

@@duotrapeze72 🙌

[@FernandoRodrigues-pi4cc]

Eii people likeeeeee.....👍👍👍👍👍👍👍❤

[@BlindSpectet]

Zeeb

[@ReptileNexus]

My zebra population exploded when it warmed up in Summer.

[@kiefrichards]

my colony crashed :(

[@Aquarimax]

Oh no! Did you lose them all?

[@kiefrichards]

i did :( life unfortunately got too busy and they dessicated. the wife and i are working on getting 3 new enclosures set up, waiting on these new springtails to populate a bit

[@Aquarimax]

@@kiefrichards sorry to hear that…it happens sometimes. I am sure the new cultures will thrive!