💎 Gem Mix Isopods — Armadillidium vulgare “Gem Mix”
This is a mixed-colour colony of Armadillidium vulgare, generally containing several A. vulgare colour morphs such as Wild Type, Magic Potion, Orange Vigor and others.
They’re hardy, moderately fast-breeding isopods that thrive in a semi-arid to temperate environment with good ventilation, plenty of leaf litter, hiding places and access to moisture. Gem Mix is especially fun because each culture can display a beautiful variety of colours and patterns. 💎🦎
🌍 Origin: Armadillidium vulgare is native to Europe and the Mediterranean region and has since become established in many other parts of the world. Gem Mix is a captive-bred mix of different A. vulgare colour morphs, rather than a specific wild locality.
Excellent for semi-arid to temperate bioactive enclosures, provided they have access to a consistently moist refuge while the remainder of the enclosure stays relatively dry.
A good setup is:
- 💧 Moisture: Keep roughly 30% of the enclosure moist, with the remaining area drier. They should always have access to a damp retreat.
- 🏜️ Humidity: Low to moderate overall humidity works well, provided the moisture gradient is maintained.
- 🍂 Food: Leaf litter and decaying hardwood should make up the bulk of their diet, supplemented with vegetables and occasional isopod/protein food.
- 🪵 Hides: Cork bark, bark pieces and deep leaf litter provide shelter and help create the necessary moisture gradient.
- 🦴 Calcium: Keep a calcium source such as cuttlebone, crushed eggshell or calcium carbonate available.
- 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 21–25°C (70–77°F) is a good general target.
- 📏 Adult Size: Approximately 1.5–2 cm (½–¾ inch).
Gem Mix is a great choice for keepers who want a colourful, varied colony rather than every isopod looking the same. Because the different colours are all Armadillidium vulgare, they can be kept together as a mixed colony.
Hardy • Colourful & varied • Easy to maintain • Great clean-up crew • Excellent display isopod
*12 Isopods