Dalmatian Isopods — Porcellio scaber

Dalmatian Isopods — Porcellio scaber “Dalmatian”

They’re hardy, active and prolific-breeding isopods with a beautiful spotted pattern ranging from white and cream to grey and black. Dalmatian Isopods are highly adaptable and make an excellent beginner-friendly clean-up crew for bioactive enclosures. They do best with plenty of leaf litter, decaying hardwood, hiding places and access to moisture. 🦎🖤🤍

🌍 Origin: Porcellio scaber is native to Europe, particularly western and northern parts of Europe. It has since become widespread throughout many regions of the world. The Dalmatian is a selectively bred colour/pattern morph of P. scaber, rather than a separate species.

Excellent for temperate to moderately humid bioactive enclosures, and they can tolerate somewhat drier conditions when a reliable moist refuge is always available.

A good setup is:

• 💧 Moisture: Maintain a clear moisture gradient with approximately ⅓ of the enclosure kept moist and the remaining area allowed to stay drier. The damp area should never dry out completely.
• 🏜️ Semi-arid enclosure: They can adapt to moderately dry setups, but they should not be kept completely dry. A moist retreat is essential, especially during moulting.
• 🍂 Food: Leaf litter and decaying hardwood should always be available. Supplement with vegetables and occasional protein such as dried shrimp, fish flakes or suitable isopod food.
• 🪵 Hides: Cork bark, rotten hardwood and plenty of leaf litter provide excellent hiding places and help maintain the moisture gradient.
• 🦴 Calcium: Provide a constant calcium source such as cuttlebone, calcium carbonate, crushed eggshell or limestone for healthy exoskeleton development and moulting.
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 18–24°C (65–75°F) is a comfortable range. They tolerate normal room temperatures well, but prolonged excessive heat should be avoided.
• 📏 Adult Size: Approximately 1.5–2 cm (½–¾ inch).

Dalmatian Isopods are active, hardy and quick to establish, making them an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced keepers. They are particularly useful as a bioactive clean-up crew because they readily consume decaying plant material and other organic matter. Their contrasting spotted pattern also makes them a fun addition to a naturalistic enclosure.

Hardy • Fast breeding • Beautiful spotted pattern • Beginner friendly • Excellent clean-up crew

*12 Isopods