Which Isopods Should I Get?

We often get asked, “Which isopods should I get for...?”

The answer depends on what you're trying to accomplish. An isopod that makes a great display colony isn't necessarily the best choice for a reptile enclosure, and a species that thrives in a humid bioactive terrarium may struggle in a much drier habitat.

The recommendations on this page are a combination of our own experience keeping, breeding, and testing isopods, feedback we've received from our customers using them in different enclosures, and commonly available husbandry information throughout the hobby.

There isn't always one universally agreed-upon "best" isopod for a particular animal. Every enclosure is different, and even two enclosures housing the same type of animal may have different temperatures, humidity, substrate, ventilation, feeding habits, and available moisture.

These are recommendations, not guarantees. Always research the particular isopod species and the needs and behavior of the animal already occupying the enclosure before introducing a clean-up crew.

What Makes a Good Bioactive Clean-Up Crew?

Adding isopods and springtails to an enclosure can help create a more bioactive ecosystem.

Clean-up crew organisms can consume decomposing organic material, leftover food, shed material, fungi, and other biological waste.

Bioactive does not mean maintenance-free. You'll still need to monitor moisture, ventilation, food, substrate, animal health, and overall enclosure conditions.

The goal is a more naturalistic ecosystem that can help reduce routine cleanup, not eliminate husbandry.

A Few Isopods to Know

Porcellionides pruinosus

If you're unsure where to start, Porcellionides pruinosus is one of our favorite clean-up crew choices.

Common varieties include:

• Powder Blue
• Powder Orange
• Oreo Crumble
• Orange Cream

They reproduce readily, tolerate a relatively broad range of appropriate enclosure conditions, actively consume organic material and leftover foods, and are fast-moving. Their adaptability is also why you'll see them recommended for many different types of bioactive enclosures.

Dwarf White Isopods

Dwarf Whites spend much of their time inside the substrate, so don't expect to see them wandering around the surface very often.

Their small size and burrowing behavior make them especially useful in humid bioactive environments.

They reproduce without requiring males, which can make an established colony extremely successful. They can also be difficult to completely remove once established.

Because of that success, think carefully before introducing Dwarf Whites into an enclosure where you may later want to establish another isopod species.

Porcellio

Many Porcellio species are active feeders, and some can be particularly enthusiastic about protein.

We are more cautious about using larger, highly active, protein-motivated isopods with very small, fragile, injured, sedentary, or molting animals.

That doesn't mean a Porcellio will automatically attack its roommate. Isopods are opportunistic feeders, however, and the needs of the primary animal should always come first when choosing a clean-up crew.

Cubaris

Many Cubaris species are popular because of their unusual appearances and behaviors.

Care requirements can vary considerably within the hobby group commonly sold as Cubaris. Some are relatively forgiving while others can require more specific husbandry.

Research the individual species rather than assuming all Cubaris have the same care requirements.

Our Recommendations

For Beginners

There are plenty of isopods that can make a good first colony, so don't feel like there is only one "beginner species."

We'll admit we're a little biased toward Zebra Isopods (Armadillidium maculatum) and Panda Kings. They were the first two isopod species we started with on Day 1 of Holy-Poly Isopods, so they'll probably always have a special place around here.

Zebras are attractive, relatively easy to observe, and a great introduction to keeping isopods.

Panda Kings are another favorite. They tend to spend more time hiding and burrowing, so they aren't quite as visible as Zebras. Once established, however, they can reproduce well and make a rewarding first colony. Panda Kings are also commonly regarded within the hobby as one of the more approachable choices among Cubaris-type isopods.

If you're primarily looking for a working bioactive clean-up crew, we also recommend Porcellionides pruinosus. They're adaptable, productive, active, and available in several varieties.

Our beginner advice: Don't worry too much about finding the one "best" beginner isopod. Start with a species you actually like, research its basic requirements, and build the enclosure around its needs.

And if our Zebras—or any other species you're interested in—are sold out, don't be afraid to try something else. That's part of the fun of the hobby.

Arid & Dry Enclosures

We generally do not recommend isopods for extremely dry environments because terrestrial isopods still require access to moisture.

Some keepers successfully maintain Armadillidium, Porcellionides pruinosus, Porcellio scaber, and other adaptable species in setups that are relatively dry overall while providing appropriate humid refuges.

The important part is that an arid enclosure still needs to provide the isopods with access to a suitable moisture zone.

Ball Python Enclosures

For bioactive Ball Python enclosures, Dwarf Whites and Porcellionides pruinosus are two options we would consider.

Both are commonly used as clean-up crew organisms in snake and reptile enclosures, and P. pruinosus gives you the added benefit of an active surface clean-up crew while Dwarf Whites spend much more of their time within the substrate.

As always, the enclosure still needs appropriate substrate, leaf litter, moisture, and hiding areas for the clean-up crew.

Other Snake Enclosures

Potential options include:

• Dwarf White
• Zebra
• Armadillidium nasatum
• Porcellionides pruinosus

We don't recommend choosing an isopod simply because an enclosure contains a "snake." A humid tropical snake enclosure and a comparatively dry enclosure can have completely different clean-up crew requirements.

Choose according to the particular snake's habitat and the conditions you maintain inside the enclosure.

Leopard Gecko Enclosures

Porcellionides pruinosus is one of our preferred options.

Common varieties include Powder Blue, Powder Orange, Oreo Crumble, and Orange Cream.

Powder-type isopods are also commonly recommended for semi-arid leopard gecko bioactive setups because of their adaptability, provided they have access to an appropriate humid refuge.

Crested Gecko Enclosures

Our first choices would generally include:

• Porcellionides pruinosus
• Dwarf White
• White Springtails

The higher humidity associated with many Crested Gecko setups can support an active clean-up crew, and Powder-type isopods are widely used for this purpose.

Other isopods may work as well, but we wouldn't recommend an entire genus such as Cubaris without considering the individual species.

Dart Frog Enclosures

Dwarf White Isopods and White Springtails are our preferred starting point.

Their small size and preference for humid environments make them well suited to many dart frog bioactive setups. Dwarf Whites also spend much of their time within the substrate rather than roaming prominently across the surface.

Bearded Dragon Enclosures

We generally don't consider isopods ideal for extremely dry Bearded Dragon setups unless the enclosure provides appropriate moisture zones for the clean-up crew.

Giant Canyon, Porcellio scaber, Porcellionides pruinosus, and other adaptable species have been used in drier bioactive systems.

Keep in mind that the isopods may also become food for the dragon.

The needs of the Bearded Dragon should always take priority over maintaining the isopod colony.

Monitor Enclosures

There isn't one isopod we recommend for every monitor.

Monitor species and their habitats vary tremendously. Depending on the enclosure, Porcellionides pruinosus, Dwarf Whites, or larger active species may be appropriate. P. pruinosus in particular is commonly recommended for some monitor bioactive setups.

Choose according to the temperature, moisture, substrate, size, and behavior of the particular monitor.

Tarantula Enclosures

Springtails are generally our first choice.

We are cautious about recommending isopods with tarantulas because a vulnerable or molting spider should not be exposed to unnecessary disturbance from larger, opportunistic clean-up crew organisms.

If isopods are used, small substrate-dwelling species such as Dwarf Whites may be considered in compatible environments.

Always prioritize the needs and safety of the tarantula.

Scorpion Enclosures

Porcellionides pruinosus may be suitable for some scorpion setups when the enclosure conditions support both species.

We consider this much more enclosure-dependent than some of our reptile recommendations, so research the particular scorpion species and its environmental requirements first.

Bone Cleaning

Porcellio scaber species can be active consumers of remaining organic material and may be useful for certain bone-cleaning applications.

This is one of those recommendations based more heavily on our experience and observations within the hobby than a standardized bioactive husbandry recommendation.

Keep in mind that bone cleaning is also very different from maintaining a typical bioactive enclosure.

Feeders

Fast-growing and productive isopod species can also be maintained as feeder colonies.

Some Porcellio and Porcellionides species reproduce well under appropriate conditions.

We recommend maintaining a separate feeder culture rather than relying on the population living inside another animal's enclosure.

We are cautious about adding larger, protein-driven species directly to enclosures containing soft-bodied, small, young, injured, or otherwise vulnerable animals.

For Experienced Isopod Keepers

If you're looking for something beyond common beginner species, there are many more specialized isopods to explore, including some Cubaris, large Porcellio, and less commonly kept species.

Price or rarity doesn't necessarily mean an isopod is difficult to keep, and belonging to the same genus doesn't mean every species has identical husbandry requirements.

Research the particular species before purchasing.

Still Can't Decide?

Can't pick just one? Let us choose for you.

Try an Isopod Mystery Box and see what shows up. It's a fun option if you're open to a surprise or just can't decide which species to add to your collection.

Once you receive your Mystery Box, make sure you research the species you received and provide the appropriate enclosure, moisture, temperature, food, and other husbandry requirements.

Don't Forget the Springtails

Isopods don't have to do all the work themselves.

White Springtails (Folsomia candida) are tiny clean-up crew organisms that consume fungi, decaying organic material, and some molds.

For many humid bioactive enclosures, we like using isopods and springtails together because they occupy different parts of the enclosure ecosystem.

We offer White Springtail Starter Cultures for establishing springtails in compatible bioactive enclosures.

Build the Environment for Your Clean-Up Crew

Choosing the right isopod is only part of the equation.

A successful colony also needs appropriate substrate, leaf litter, calcium, ventilation, moisture, and supplemental nutrition.

For those building or maintaining an enclosure, we offer products including Isopod Substrate, Leaf Litter, Calcium Carbonate Powder, Oyster Shells, Posh Vents, and White Springtail Starter Cultures.

Research Before You Cohabitate

When shopping for an isopod clean-up crew—from us or any other seller—we recommend doing some research before introducing a new species into an occupied enclosure.

Temperature and humidity are important, but they're only part of the decision.

Consider:

• The primary animal's behavior and vulnerability
• Temperature
• Humidity and moisture gradients
• Substrate
• Available hiding areas
• Isopod size and activity
• Feeding behavior
• Reproduction rate
• Whether the primary animal may eat the isopods
• Whether the clean-up crew could disturb a vulnerable or molting animal

Choose the clean-up crew for the entire habitat, not just the temperature and humidity numbers.

These recommendations represent our best guidance based on our own experience maintaining and testing isopods, feedback from Holy-Poly Isopods customers using them in real enclosures, and husbandry information available throughout the hobby.

They should be treated as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Individual animals, isopod colonies, and enclosure conditions vary, and ultimately the caretaker is responsible for determining whether a particular clean-up crew is appropriate for the animals and habitat they maintain.