Cubaris murina
A small, widespread Cubaris species — hardier than most of its genus and a good stepping stone toward more demanding tropical isopods.
About this species
Cubaris murina is a small, pantropical isopod that has spread across warm coastal regions worldwide. Unlike many Cubaris species that command high prices and demand specialist care, C. murina is relatively forgiving and breeds reasonably well in captivity. It is a good introduction to tropical isopod keeping before moving on to more demanding species like Cubaris sp. "Rubber Ducky" or "Panda King".
Like all isopods, C. murina is a terrestrial crustacean that breathes through gill-like pleopods. It needs consistently higher humidity than temperate Porcellio or Armadillidium species — its pleopods dry out faster in low-humidity conditions.
Enclosure
A sealed plastic tub with controlled ventilation holes works well. C. murina needs higher humidity than temperate species, so ventilation should be limited compared to a Porcellio setup — but not eliminated entirely, as stagnant air promotes mould. Provide cork bark, sphagnum moss, dried leaves, and cuttlebone. A piece of limestone adds environmental enrichment.
Substrate
- 50% coco coir
- 20% organic topsoil
- 15% sphagnum moss
- 15% crushed limestone or cuttlebone powder
Keep the substrate consistently moist but not sodden. A moisture gradient is still beneficial — slightly wetter on one side. Depth 5–8 cm. Top with dried hardwood leaves (oak, beech). Never use softwood (pine, cedar) — toxic to isopods.
Feeding
- Dried hardwood leaves — primary food source
- Vegetables: courgette, carrot, sweet potato
- Cuttlefish bone — essential for calcium
- Weekly protein: dried shrimp, fish flakes
- Bee pollen — beneficial supplement for Cubaris species
Remove uneaten fresh food within 24–48 hours. In the higher humidity this species requires, mould develops faster than in temperate setups.
Breeding
C. murina breeds at a moderate pace — faster than most collector Cubaris species but slower than Porcellio. Females carry eggs in a marsupium and produce small to moderate broods. A colony of 15–25 should grow steadily over several months. This species is a good candidate if you want to practise tropical isopod husbandry without risking expensive animals.