this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2023
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How big are the isopods? Do they need a saltwater setuo, or are there freshwater ones? I've only seen the giant seawater kind.
Rather small compared to the deep sea ones you are probably thinking of. They’re terrestrial so many people will call them rolly polys or something like that.
The largest species I currently have are Porcellio hoffmannseggi, as far as I know the largest terrestrial ones and they get to about 5 cm total length and maybe 3 cm body length.
I once tried to breed amphibious Ligia oceanica ones that I collected, commonly referred to as sea slaters. They were a bit bigger in terms of body length but needed saltwater and also didn’t fare well with room temperature I am afraid.
However the P. hofmannseggi are fairly easy to keep and inexpensive. They just need a small container with a bit of soil, leaf litter and some dead or rotting hardwood to hide under, I spray them about once per week. It’s a great hobby.
There are also small freshwater species that can be kept in aquarium but they are not sold anywhere and you can usually collect them yourself.
Yeeeaaahh... I think I knew that pillbugs were isopods; I first learned the term via the deep sea ones, and I just never connect the two.
I've only ever seen the black kind of terrestrial isopods; I didn't even know they came so colorful!
Thanks!
Yeah, the tropical species can be really wild, but also the Mediterranean ones can be quite colourful.
You’re welcome!
Yeeeaaahh... I think I knew that pillbugs were isopods; I first learned the term via the deep sea ones, and I just never connect the two.
I've only ever seen the black kind of terrestrial isopods; I didn't even know they came so colorful!
Thanks!