Cubaris sp. "Amber"

A translucent amber-coloured Cubaris — specialist tropical care required, as with all members of this genus.

Humidity 75–90%

Temperature 23–27°C

Starter Group 10–15+

Ventilation Controlled

Difficulty Advanced

About this species

Cubaris sp. "Amber" is a collector isopod from Southeast Asia, prized for its translucent amber or honey-coloured exoskeleton. The semi-transparent quality of its shell gives it an appearance unlike most other isopod species. Like other Cubaris, it is associated with limestone cave environments.

This is an advanced species requiring stable tropical conditions. Like all isopods, it is a terrestrial crustacean that breathes through gill-like pleopods — desiccation kills quickly when humidity drops. If you have not yet kept other tropical isopods successfully, start with Cubaris murina before investing in Amber.

Enclosure

A well-sealed plastic tub with small, controlled ventilation holes. The balance between high humidity and adequate airflow is the central challenge of Cubaris keeping. Include limestone or calcium-rich rock, cork bark, sphagnum moss, and a generous layer of dried hardwood leaves. Keep away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations.

Substrate

50% coco coir
20% organic topsoil
15% crushed limestone or calcium powder
15% sphagnum moss

Keep consistently moist — wrung-out sponge consistency — but never saturated. Standing water is fatal. Depth 5–8 cm, topped with dried hardwood leaves and sphagnum moss. Never use softwood (pine, cedar) — toxic to isopods.

Feeding

Dried hardwood leaves (oak, beech) — staple food
Cuttlefish bone — essential; leave in enclosure permanently
Small vegetable portions: courgette, carrot
Weekly protein: dried shrimp, fish flakes
Bee pollen — beneficial supplement for Cubaris

Remove uneaten fresh food within 24 hours. Warm, humid conditions accelerate spoilage and mould growth.

Breeding

Cubaris sp. "Amber" breeds slowly, as is typical for the genus. Females carry small broods in a marsupium, and new mancae appear infrequently. Start with at least 10–15 individuals to give the colony a viable foundation. Building numbers takes patience — expect a timeline of one to two years for meaningful colony growth.