General Information

What are isopods?

Isopods kept in the hobby are terrestrial crustaceans belonging to the order Isopoda, suborder Oniscidea, commonly known as woodlice, pill bugs, or roly-polies. Despite their bug-like appearance, they are more closely related to crabs and shrimp than to any insect. Many species breathe through pleopodal lungs (pseudotracheae), while more basal families retain gill-like pleopods. Either way, humidity is important for their survival.

There are at least 3,700 described species of woodlice worldwide, found on every continent except Antarctica. They inhabit leaf litter, rotting wood, and soil, anywhere with moisture and decaying organic matter.

Ecological role

In the wild, isopods are important decomposers. They break down dead plant material, which returns nutrients to the soil and speeds up nutrient cycling. A single colony can process a surprising amount of leaf litter, bark, and other organic debris over the course of a year.

That's exactly why they work so well in bioactive terrariums, where they are a living clean-up crew. They consume waste and turn over substrate, which helps prevent mould.

Why the hobby has exploded

Over the past decade, isopod keeping has grown from a niche pursuit into a proper hobby. There are some good reasons for that:

• Colourful morphs: selective breeding has produced eye-catching colour morphs in species like Armadillidium, Porcellio, and Cubaris, with new morphs appearing regularly.
• Easy care: most species need only a simple enclosure, appropriate substrate, and occasional feeding. They are forgiving of beginner mistakes.
• Bioactive terrariums: the rise of naturalistic reptile and amphibian setups has created huge demand for isopods as a functional clean-up crew.
• Breeding reward: colonies grow steadily, making them satisfying to culture and trade.

Lifespan

Most commonly kept isopod species live between 2 and 5 years, though lifespan varies with species, temperature, and care. Warmer temperatures tend to speed up metabolism and shorten lifespan slightly, while cooler conditions can extend it. Larger species such as Porcellio laevis and Porcellio hoffmannseggii tend to live towards the longer end of that range.

Springtails as companions

Springtails (Collembola) are tiny arthropods often kept alongside isopods. They feed on mould, fungal spores, and decaying matter too small for isopods to tackle effectively. Together, isopods and springtails form a complementary clean-up crew. Springtails handle mould while isopods process larger organic waste. Adding a springtail culture to an isopod enclosure is strongly recommended.

Mite management

Grain mites and other small mites sometimes appear in isopod enclosures, usually introduced via food or substrate. In small numbers they are harmless, but large infestations can stress a colony. To manage mites: avoid overfeeding, remove uneaten fresh food within 48 hours, ensure good ventilation, and allow substrate to dry slightly between misting. If mites become problematic, temporarily reducing food and increasing ventilation usually brings them under control.

Care basics at a glance

Substrate: A 5–8 cm layer of 60% coco coir, 20% organic topsoil, 10% fine sand, 10% leaf litter. Top with dried leaves and cork bark for shelter and food. Maintain a moisture gradient, with one side damp, the other drier.

Humidity: Most species thrive at 60–80%. Mist the damp side regularly, but avoid waterlogging the substrate. Good ventilation prevents stagnant air and fungal problems.

Temperature: 18–24°C suits the majority of commonly kept species. Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources.

Diet: Dried leaves (oak and beech as primary leaf litter; nettle as a supplement), cork bark, vegetables (cucumber, courgette, sweet potato), cuttlefish bone for calcium, and occasional protein (dried shrimp, fish flakes). Remove uneaten fresh food after 48 hours.