Beginner colony
Start with adaptable, established keepers such as many Armadillidium, Porcellionides, or common Porcellio varieties.
Shop beginner-friendly isopodsChoose with confidence
Choose your isopods
Browse the products below, explore your favorites, or jump to advice on choosing a species. Check each listing for its exact count and care needs.
Shop all isopods
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Care-first recommendations
THE KEEPER'S SELECTION DESK
Find your next colony
Refine this collection using details listed on each product. Choose a product to see its exact count and details.
Missing details are marked “Not listed.” Feeder size labels follow the listing; check its measurements before ordering. Price and stock filters remain available under Filter & Sort.
Load filters to refine the whole collection.
CARE AT A GLANCE
- Keeper level:
- beginner
- Adult size:
- 4 to 7 mm
- Climate:
- Tropical
Taxonomy-led shopping
Shop Live Isopods by Genus
Genus is a practical first filter for body shape, activity, climate preference, and common husbandry patterns. Select a genus to see every matching species and morph currently listed.
Cubaris
Tropical display isopods with an especially broad range of colors, patterns, and collector morphs.
Explore CubarisPorcellio
Active, substantial isopods spanning accessible temperate keepers and specialized semi-arid displays.
Explore PorcellioArmadillidium
Classic rolling isopods with familiar beginner species and highly patterned display varieties.
Explore ArmadillidiumPorcellionides
Fast, productive colonies widely chosen for bioactive cleanup crews and active feeding behavior.
Explore PorcellionidesVenezillo
Compact tropical display species with striking pattern variation and careful moisture requirements.
Explore VenezilloArdentiella
Color-forward tropical isopods for keepers ready to maintain consistent, species-specific conditions.
Explore ArdentiellaNesodillo
Distinctive tropical display isopods best selected after reviewing the individual listing's care notes.
Explore NesodilloTrichorhina
Small-bodied tropical cleanup-crew isopods suited to humid bioactive habitats and discreet colonies.
Explore TrichorhinaBrowse every represented genus
Agabiformius
Armadillo
Armadillidium
Ardentiella
Atlantoscia
Cristarmadillidium
Cubaris
Cylisticus
Filipinodillo
Laurela
Nagurus
Nesodillo
Niambia
Oniscus
Philoscia
Porcellio
Porcellionides
Proporcellio
Pseudarmadillo
Reductoniscus
Sinodillo
Spherillo
Trachelipus
Trichoniscus
Trichorhina
Troglodillo
Turbellio
Venezillo
Match the colony to the enclosure
How to Choose Live Isopods
Start with the job you need the colony to do, then confirm the exact species-level care on its product page.
Bioactive cleanup crew
Prioritize active, productive species that process leaf litter and enclosure debris without replacing regular habitat maintenance.
Shop cleanup-crew isopodsDisplay colony
Compare pattern, adult size, activity, and visibility. Cubaris, Porcellio, and patterned Armadillidium offer broad choices.
Shop display isopodsClimate match
Use tropical, temperate, or semi-arid tags as a starting point, then build the moisture gradient and ventilation the species requires.
Compare the full collectionPrepare before arrival
Isopod Care Products and Habitat Essentials
A stable colony begins with moisture-retentive substrate, abundant leaf litter, ventilation, hides, calcium, and species-appropriate nutrition. Set up and stabilize the enclosure before live isopods arrive.
Premium Isopod Substrate
From $4.99
Ultra Isopod Substrate
From $7.99
Isopod Superfood Blend
From $6.99
Complete Isopod Habitat Starter Kit
From $39.99
Ultra Isopod Habitat Kit (Rottwood and Flake)
From $44.99
Magnolia Leaves
From $3.99
Direct keeper answers
Live Isopod Questions
What are the best isopods for beginners?
Many keepers begin with Powder Orange or Powder Blue isopods, adaptable Armadillidium varieties, or common Porcellio species. Confirm the individual listing because moisture, ventilation, and growth rate still vary by species.
Are live isopods useful in a bioactive enclosure?
Yes. Suitable isopods help process leaf litter, shed skin, decaying plant material, and other organic debris. They support the enclosure's nutrient cycle but do not replace routine cleaning, feeding, or habitat monitoring.
Should isopods be kept with springtails?
They are commonly paired because they work at different scales. Isopods process larger organic material, while springtails help consume mold, fungi, and fine debris in moist areas.
What does a basic isopod enclosure need?
Most colonies need deep organic substrate, a wet-to-dry moisture gradient, airflow, hardwood leaf litter, hides, a calcium source, and supplemental food. The balance must be adjusted for the chosen species.
How do I choose between tropical, temperate, and semi-arid isopods?
Match the species to the enclosure you can maintain consistently. Tropical species usually require steadier humidity, temperate species often tolerate a broader gradient, and semi-arid species generally need stronger ventilation with a protected moist refuge.