It’s genetic, the same mutation can occur separately, im sure it happens with many species all the time. Go look at ball pythons, we didn’t make any of those colors, we found and isolated something that was already present, in many cases it would go back millions of years
That fish saying "subscribe" actually makes my day and i cant explain why. I just love when fish with voices over them and that voice fits perfectly 😂 im so glad i found this channel!
These were all species I collected to jumpstart my collection and each colony is going well, especially the Dairy Cows. I think,moving forward, I'm going to focus on adding Clean up Crew specialists. Have you considered doing a top 5 isopods for differnt biacticve enclousres? Thanks for the video Rus!
I have about 7 morphs of isopods right now, 2-3 morphs i keep together; but the rest are currently separated for breeding or in general purposes. This dude is very good with information about these wonderful crawly creatures!
Hey Rus. Thanks for sharing this video. I’ve actually brought in a few species of isopods that I bought from you awhile back as a class pet for my students. They love them. I’ve showed them some segments of some of your videos. Thanks again for posting. Keep up the great work.
Excellent video with a lot of info. I'm planning to buy my first isopods soon. I think I'll be getting Zebra Armadillidiums. I'm really glad they're a beginner isopod because I want something hardy.
My mom just got me powder oranges and I am in love! 🧡 they are so cute always up to something! I will also be getting zebra isopods from you in the spring hopefully 😊
@@Aquarimax you need to check out Mary Akers! She’s bred and successfully raised purple pinchers (Coenobita clypeatus ) and Ecuadorian (Coenobita compressus)
@@Aquarimax this explains a lot about the Her and her journey. Also current news. I believe she has you tube videos as well maryakers.com/inthecrabitat/
They are, and yes, you can. Some of the more prolific breeders, such as Porcellionides pruinosus, Porcellio laevis ‘Dairy Cow’, or Porcellio ornatus ‘Yellow Dot’ can make good supplemental feeders for reptiles...and provide a good source of dietary calcium.
Personally, my favorite species at the moment is the Armadillo officinalis. YES, their exact genus or genera is "Armadillo" not Armadillidium just a side note lol They grow huge too especially the Israelis, and the cool thing about them is they can actually stridulate and roll up into a perfect ball. Matter of fact, their main resting position and main defense position is in a ball. That's just the way they are lol From what I've gathered so far, there are 4 locals. The Spain or the common Spanish, Greece, Italian or Sicily, and the largest of them all, the marbled colored Israel local. I just recently purchased the Israel local from Isopods USA about 40 individuals. Very expensive I should say, but what's not to like about a true rolly polly that can roll up into a complete ball, gets really large, and can stridulate while curled up into complete and tight a ball lol Simply adorable lol The only cons about them is they're nocturnal and they're very shy, but I've been catching a lot of them meandering about outside their cork bark hides nibbling on some cuttlebone, rotting leaves and wood, and supreme Isopod feeder products that I normally feed them when checking up on them.
Thank you for all your info on isopods. Question would the zebra isos be good 1 to use in a tarantula's enclosure? What little info I can find, some say yes, some say no.
Hello sir. I recently stumbled upon your channel while trying to learn more about isopods. The reason for my research is that I am in the process of building two bioactive tarantula enclosures and want to make sure that I am choosing the right variety/species of isopods. I believe that leaf litter is a food source for isopods? Also, the tarantulas will be arboreal species so there will be a 12'ish inch piece of cork bark to give the tarantulas a hiding spot but a concern is them disturbing the tarantulas. AmI correct that the isopods will only feed on damp/rotting leaf litter and cork bark? Sorry for the long winded comment. Thank you
Hi! There is some controversy surrounding the use of isopods in bioactive enclosures with tarantulas. Molting tarantulas are, of course vulnerable, and could be targeted as a good source. Arboreal tarantulas molting in webbing up high in the enclosure would likely be safer than a terrestrial tarantula, but many tarantula keepers prefer not to risk it. Springtails are safe…I keep springtails with my own tarantula, but have chosen not to keep isopods with it. Leaf litter is indeed a good source for isopods, but they are rather opportunistic.
Trying find where (new at this but used to play( nicely 😘)with rolly pollies as a kid) around sierra Vista Arizona Any ideas and I'm assuming not this time of year lol
It depends on which species you are looking for, and whether you prefer to collect or purchase them. In your area, you might actually find a few species active in winter.
Hi Rus Great video! Just a question I have here that has been bugging me and I can't seem to find a definitive answer. Can you keep isopods and millipedes together?
Good question with a complicated answer. It can be done successfully insome situations, but it does not always go well in others. The species you are working with, availability of various resources such as food, whether the millipedes lay eggs in capsules or unprotected, and whether or not molta go perfectly well can all influence how well (or poorly) it goes.
Question, I'm new to the isopod caring and planning to get my first isopod colony, any suggestions on what type of isopod should I get? I prefer big and active isopods
I believe i have some "powder blues" And i was wondering if they will or are allowed to eat fruits like crabapples or veggies like onions. I am wanting to start a vivarium but i am just starting out with wild powders Thank you
They might eat small amounts of crabapples. i would avoid using onions, since they contains natural deterrents to being eaten…I am not sure whether they would harm the isopods, but it would be safer not to risk it.
What do you think of dwarf whites? I am thinking of putting inside my crested gecko terrarium but afraid they will overtake the tank and infest whole tank.
I know I'm probably going against the grain here, but I would not recommend P.laivis as a starter colony. Their population grows way to quickly and can easily become overwhelming. They are a beginner species for like 2 or 3 months, then they are a headache / burden. good as feeders though.
I see your point. They do reproduce very quickly, hence my warning. I have never had it be an issue personally...but I completely agree that they can make great feeders!
@@Aquarimax they are in Sterlite shoe box size containers. Filled with reptisoil, leaf litter, repibark and cork pieces. I drilled holes in the lid but no cross ventilation. We wet the substrate and possibly too much. I will add cross ventilation and remove as much moldy stuff as I can.
@@Aquarimax We do have springtails but they’re also starting out so they might also be catching up. We were definitely over feeding for a bit but we are trying to fix that by getting it out of there
Here in Australia, on the west coast, beginner isopods are whatever you can find in your back yard, which are the wild type. I don't know if they are easy or not, but that's what I have. There does seem to be at least 2 different varieties here where I live. Our extreme quarantine restrictions prohibit us being able to buy any of the fancy colors available everywhere else. I wish I could get some striped ones and some rubber duckies. Basically, we can't import anything which is alive from anywhere else, not even from another state in the same country. I thought this video was going to be about basic care, not about all the cute ones I am never going to have.
Locally at a reasonable price. Got any recommendations for a 6 year old that’s already familiar with husbandry needs but not quite ready for the BP she wants? I watched your Clint’s episode last night with her and she fell in love.
My kids and love collecting "rollie pollies"! We recently found a p. Scaber Dalmatian morph in our backyard! We were super excited to spot it...
That is a great find! I am glad my channel has been helpful!
I'm pretty sure the Dalmatian morph of P. scaber doesn't exist in the wild...
This is old, but I don't think P. scaber Dalmatian, or most isopod morphs are found in the wild. (Except P. scaber orange)
I might be wrong!
It’s genetic, the same mutation can occur separately, im sure it happens with many species all the time. Go look at ball pythons, we didn’t make any of those colors, we found and isolated something that was already present, in many cases it would go back millions of years
That fish saying "subscribe" actually makes my day and i cant explain why. I just love when fish with voices over them and that voice fits perfectly 😂 im so glad i found this channel!
00:15 Zebra (Armadillidium Maculatum
01:14 Powder Blue (Porcellionides Pruinosus
02:22 Common (Armadillidium Vulgare)
03:35 Common Sowbug (Porcellio Scaber)
04:25 Smooth sowbug (porcellio Laevis)
Keep coming with the isopods videos
Will do!
I love those isopods collection there are so fascinating
Thank you Crystal!
I just have some wild p scaber, next spring when the weather warms up I will have to order some more fancy ones online
They”re addictive 🤣👍
These were all species I collected to jumpstart my collection and each colony is going well, especially the Dairy Cows. I think,moving forward, I'm going to focus on adding Clean up Crew specialists. Have you considered doing a top 5 isopods for differnt biacticve enclousres? Thanks for the video Rus!
Best thing of your videos, there's no music background,
So when you explain the watchers are focusing on each words with meaning,
Thanks
I have about 7 morphs of isopods right now, 2-3 morphs i keep together; but the rest are currently separated for breeding or in general purposes. This dude is very good with information about these wonderful crawly creatures!
God bless You always You are great posts I love Your love for this little animals .
Thank you for this video.I absolutely love the background you're using in this video.
I need to find some type of isopods for my 28 gallon aquarium.
A bunch of gorgeous isopods!
Thank you!!
Excellent and informational video :)
I appreciate it!
Very Nice
Thank you!!
@@Aquarimax :D
Always awesomely informative
Thank you!!
This is a great video idea!
Hey Rus. Thanks for sharing this video. I’ve actually brought in a few species of isopods that I bought from you awhile back as a class pet for my students. They love them. I’ve showed them some segments of some of your videos. Thanks again for posting. Keep up the great work.
Thank you so much for consistently making such amazing videos.
I love isopods they look cool
Excellent video with a lot of info. I'm planning to buy my first isopods soon. I think I'll be getting Zebra Armadillidiums. I'm really glad they're a beginner isopod because I want something hardy.
Very great choices
In my backward i have the powder orange and blue types
A fantastic video Rus. Excellent suggestions and this will really help the beginner isopod keeper.
Thank you Wally!
My mom just got me powder oranges and I am in love! 🧡 they are so cute always up to something!
I will also be getting zebra isopods from you in the spring hopefully 😊
Love the powders! The zebras are loads of fun as well. Just let me know when the weather starts to look suitable in your area.
@@Aquarimax I will! I cant wait to get them :)
Do you think you can do a care guide for them soon?
Thanks for the great info!
I just got wild ones in my bac yard and they started having babies, I have springtails too and they have multiple I'm stoked 😆😂👍
Just ordered my first isopods! Went with P. laevis "Orange" and "Dairy cow."
Excellent choices!
awesome video like always!
Thank you!
Thanks for the cool video! I will be getting dairy cow isopods soon, really looking forward to it!
Excellent choice...just be prepared for lots of babies!
I've found the Zebra in the wild once ! There are endemic to a specific region in France
Awesome! Yes, there are some in France and some in Italy from what I understand. 😊
I love this video! Have you ever done or would consider doing a video on your hermit crabs?
I would like to do a video on them...I want to try to talk to someone who breeds them, in fact!
@@Aquarimax you need to check out Mary Akers! She’s bred and successfully raised purple pinchers (Coenobita clypeatus ) and Ecuadorian (Coenobita compressus)
@@myrnabren4834 she is actually the very one I wanted to speak to!
@@Aquarimax this explains a lot about the Her and her journey. Also current news. I believe she has you tube videos as well maryakers.com/inthecrabitat/
Actualy some of mine have very strong orange
I currently have 2 isopod species as I unfortunately lost my Vulgare Albinos and Tropical greys. Might consider picking up a few more👀
Sorry to hear you lost those! 😥
You don't happen to have any of those A. Vulgare "nightgolds" still? I see they're listed as unavailable on your website.
They're absolutely stunning.
I have some...and the B grade (culls) will be available soon.
@@Aquarimax Ok, cool.
Gotta love prolific breeders 😂😂😂
Isopods are so fascinating. Can you feed them to reptiles?
They are, and yes, you can. Some of the more prolific breeders, such as Porcellionides pruinosus, Porcellio laevis ‘Dairy Cow’, or Porcellio ornatus ‘Yellow Dot’ can make good supplemental feeders for reptiles...and provide a good source of dietary calcium.
Awesome video. It helped me with identifying what i just caught at the backyard. What would be the outcome if the different species cohabitate?
Glad to hear it was helpful! Generally, once species will eventually outcompete the other in such conditions.
Glad to hear it was helpful! Generally, once species will eventually outcompete the other in such conditions.
I just bought a culture of powder blues today
Great choice!
Personally, my favorite species at the moment is the Armadillo officinalis. YES, their exact genus or genera is "Armadillo" not Armadillidium just a side note lol They grow huge too especially the Israelis, and the cool thing about them is they can actually stridulate and roll up into a perfect ball. Matter of fact, their main resting position and main defense position is in a ball. That's just the way they are lol From what I've gathered so far, there are 4 locals. The Spain or the common Spanish, Greece, Italian or Sicily, and the largest of them all, the marbled colored Israel local. I just recently purchased the Israel local from Isopods USA about 40 individuals. Very expensive I should say, but what's not to like about a true rolly polly that can roll up into a complete ball, gets really large, and can stridulate while curled up into complete and tight a ball lol Simply adorable lol The only cons about them is they're nocturnal and they're very shy, but I've been catching a lot of them meandering about outside their cork bark hides nibbling on some cuttlebone, rotting leaves and wood, and supreme Isopod feeder products that I normally feed them when checking up on them.
Thank you for all your info on isopods. Question would the zebra isos be good 1 to use in a tarantula's enclosure? What little info I can find, some say yes, some say no.
It depends partly on the tarantula. Is it arboreal, fossorial?
@@Aquarimax terrestrial
I recently got P. Laevis and the just had their first round of babies. How long until the next round usually?
It depends on how many females you have and which strain of P. laevis, but probably no more than a month, possibly less.
They're dairy cows. Supposed to be 12-13 females 2-3 males
@@joshuastover8632 if that is indeed the case, you should have lots of mancae within a month.
Thanks so much! My entire family is in love with them and I see lots more species in our future
Hello sir. I recently stumbled upon your channel while trying to learn more about isopods. The reason for my research is that I am in the process of building two bioactive tarantula enclosures and want to make sure that I am choosing the right variety/species of isopods. I believe that leaf litter is a food source for isopods? Also, the tarantulas will be arboreal species so there will be a 12'ish inch piece of cork bark to give the tarantulas a hiding spot but a concern is them disturbing the tarantulas. AmI correct that the isopods will only feed on damp/rotting leaf litter and cork bark? Sorry for the long winded comment. Thank you
Hi!
There is some controversy surrounding the use of isopods in bioactive enclosures with tarantulas. Molting tarantulas are, of course vulnerable, and could be targeted as a good source. Arboreal tarantulas molting in webbing up high in the enclosure would likely
be safer than a terrestrial tarantula, but many tarantula keepers prefer not to risk it. Springtails are safe…I keep springtails with my own tarantula, but have chosen not to keep isopods with it.
Leaf litter is indeed a good source for isopods, but they are rather opportunistic.
@@Aquarimax that makes sense. Would you recommend a full or partial culture of Springtails for a 12X12X18 enclosure?
@az_pit_viper4270 springtails reproduce so quickly that a partial culture (at least 15 or so individuals) should do the job 👍🏼
@@Aquarimax awesome, thank you sir
Trying find where (new at this but used to play( nicely 😘)with rolly pollies as a kid) around sierra Vista Arizona
Any ideas and I'm assuming not this time of year lol
It depends on which species you are looking for, and whether you prefer to collect or purchase them. In your area, you might actually find a few species active in winter.
I see you're a specialist. can you tell me how to reproduce Neobisioidea?
Hi Rus
Great video! Just a question I have here that has been bugging me and I can't seem to find a definitive answer. Can you keep isopods and millipedes together?
Good question with a complicated answer. It can be done successfully insome situations, but it does not always go well in others. The species you are working with, availability of various resources such as food, whether the millipedes lay eggs in capsules or unprotected, and whether or not molta go perfectly well can all influence how well (or poorly) it goes.
Question, I'm new to the isopod caring and planning to get my first isopod colony, any suggestions on what type of isopod should I get? I prefer big and active isopods
I think Porcellio laevis ‘Dairy Cow’ or ‘Milkback’ would fit your criteria nicely...just be prepared for lots of breeding!
@@Aquarimax thanks good sir
You’re welcome! I have to say, I appreciate your TH-cam name. I used to play an RPG as a Noldor Ranger!
I believe i have some "powder blues"
And i was wondering if they will or are allowed to eat fruits like crabapples or veggies like onions.
I am wanting to start a vivarium but i am just starting out with wild powders
Thank you
They might eat small amounts of crabapples. i would avoid using onions, since they contains natural deterrents to being eaten…I am not sure whether they would harm the isopods, but it would be safer not to risk it.
@@Aquarimax thank you very much
Do the color morphs all generally have the same car as the wildtype?
Yes, as far as morphs go, though this is not necessarily true of localities of some species, like Porcellio ornatus
can isopods be fed to tarantulas? Especially the babies to small slings.
I don’t have much tarantula experience, but I believe some species are taken as food.
Hey I would like to know what isopods is best for Varanus kingorum (king’s dwarf monitor) if you could tell me that would be greatly appreciated
What is the wood you use in your isopod containers?
Cork bark, and then some oak or maple when available.
@@Aquarimax ok thanks
Any advice i establish my dairy cow colony and I don't have any idea why there is no any mancae my colony is almost 4 months old😢
Hi, just a question, but do isopod enclosures smell bad after some time?
What do you think of dwarf whites?
I am thinking of putting inside my crested gecko terrarium but afraid they will overtake the tank and infest whole tank.
I have used them with crested geckos successfully. They haven’t overrun tje vivariums yet, after several years 😊
How often does p.scaber breed?
This site animaldiversity.org/accounts/Porcellio_scaber/ says up to 3 times per year, but I suspect captive populations may reproduce more often.
Thanks for your help
I know I'm probably going against the grain here, but I would not recommend P.laivis as a starter colony. Their population grows way to quickly and can easily become overwhelming. They are a beginner species for like 2 or 3 months, then they are a headache / burden.
good as feeders though.
I see your point. They do reproduce very quickly, hence my warning. I have never had it be an issue personally...but I completely agree that they can make great feeders!
When I first got mine the majority of them were females and I had hundreds of Offspring within a week
Can I buy them they are very cute
Yes! They are widely available! However I wouldn’t recommend Tropical Greys as they are a nightmare, always seem to escape!
I am having a really hard time with mold in my isopod enclosures. What can I do! Should I restart the enclosure?
Well, what is the ventilation like? Do you have cross ventilation? What exactly is molding? The substrate? Food?
@@Aquarimax they are in Sterlite shoe box size containers. Filled with reptisoil, leaf litter, repibark and cork pieces. I drilled holes in the lid but no cross ventilation. We wet the substrate and possibly too much. I will add cross ventilation and remove as much moldy stuff as I can.
Sounds like a good start. Do you have springtails?
@@Aquarimax We do have springtails but they’re also starting out so they might also be catching up. We were definitely over feeding for a bit but we are trying to fix that by getting it out of there
@@77hmarie Sounds like you are on the right track. 👍🏼
Do isopods need light/photo period?
Good question...I used to keep them in a dark cupboard and the bred in there just fine.
@@Aquarimax Thanks, great vids, they've been a lot of help.
What is a good place to order online?
I tried to keep the common isopod but I cant see them cause they keep digging
That is pretty common early on...as the population grows you should see more of them
@@Aquarimax ok since they're from outside could i keep them in a critter keeper
@@amingus09 That is possible, but you will need to take care that their hydration station doesn’t dry out.
@@Aquarimax ok thxs
Nicee
Thanks!
First
also i love your content!
Thank you so much!
Here in Australia, on the west coast, beginner isopods are whatever you can find in your back yard, which are the wild type. I don't know if they are easy or not, but that's what I have. There does seem to be at least 2 different varieties here where I live. Our extreme quarantine restrictions prohibit us being able to buy any of the fancy colors available everywhere else. I wish I could get some striped ones and some rubber duckies. Basically, we can't import anything which is alive from anywhere else, not even from another state in the same country. I thought this video was going to be about basic care, not about all the cute ones I am never going to have.
Here is the first video in my basic isopod care guide playlist: th-cam.com/video/l5LALPIs6GA/w-d-xo.html
Why are the zebras as hard to find as a diamondback terrapin?
Are you having trouble finding them?
Locally at a reasonable price. Got any recommendations for a 6 year old that’s already familiar with husbandry needs but not quite ready for the BP she wants? I watched your Clint’s episode last night with her and she fell in love.
Do they carry Salmonella?
Vulgare are the obvious beginners choice!
Hard to argue with that!
@@Aquarimax In smaller terrariums i find they almost do too good xD
I'm totally not here because of Clint's Reptiles.
🤣