How many isopods should I get?
This is a common question, yet the answer varies. We crafted a checklist and shared our tips to aid your decision-making.
- Species - Choose your isopod species. Our informative article has guided countless new isopod keepers in finding their perfect match.
- Enclosure Size - Analyze your enclosure size.
- If it is fairly small, you may not want too many. Remember to avoid very prolific species in a small enclosure.
- You can have a big enclosure without needing to buy thousands of isopods. Start with a culture and grow your colony!
- Speed vs. Patience -Remember, if you're eager for a bustling isopod community, a sprinkle of patience is key. Starting off with 6-20 isopods can set you on the right path. Our colonies kickstarted with just 6-10, so believe in the slow and steady approach!
- Costs - Certain species cost more due to supply & demand dynamics. Prices for specific dog breeds, animals, or vehicles are influenced by these factors. Initially, we bought 6 expensive species and 10 cheaper ones to grow our colonies patiently.
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Plan it Out - You may get lucky and order 1-3 isopods and receive 1 gravid (pregnant) female isopod. Congrats! Though this is somewhat of a gamble, it is a safe one because you can always add more over time.
Note: We do not recommend keeping less than 5 isopods as they thrive in colonies. If you are ordering less than 5 we assume you are adding to an already existing colony.