Orange Clown Isopods — Armadillidium frontetriangulum

 Orange Clown Isopods — Armadillidium frontetriangulum “Orange”

They’re hardy, attractive and relatively easy-to-breed isopods that thrive in a Mediterranean, semi-arid environment with good ventilation, plenty of leaf litter, decaying hardwood and access to a moist refuge. Their vivid orange colour with contrasting white and yellow spotting makes them a beautiful display species and an excellent bioactive clean-up crew.

🌍 Origin: Native to Corfu (Kerkyra), Greece, in the Ionian Islands. Armadillidium frontetriangulum is also documented on the nearby northwestern Greek mainland, while the orange hobby line is specifically associated with the Corfu population.

Excellent for semi-arid to moderately humid bioactive enclosures, provided they have access to a consistently moist refuge while the majority of the enclosure remains drier and well ventilated.

A good setup is:

• 💧 Moisture: Keep approximately ⅓ of the enclosure moist, with the remaining area noticeably drier. This moisture gradient allows them to regulate their hydration naturally.
• 🏜️ Semi-arid enclosure: They are well suited to a Mediterranean-style setup with good airflow and a predominantly dry environment.
• 🍂 Food: Leaf litter and decaying hardwood should always be available. Supplement with vegetables and occasional protein.
• 🪵 Hides: Cork bark, bark pieces, leaf litter and decaying wood provide shelter and help retain moisture in the damp area.
• 🦴 Calcium: Provide a constant calcium source such as cuttlebone, crushed oyster shell or calcium carbonate for healthy exoskeleton development and moulting.
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 19–25°C (66–77°F) is suitable, with some care sources allowing temperatures up to around 26°C.
• 📏 Adult Size: Approximately 1.5–1.8 cm (½–¾ inch).

Orange Clowns are active, attractive and relatively easy to establish when their moisture gradient is maintained. They spend much of their time under cover and in the leaf litter, becoming more active during the evening and at night. Their ability to roll into a ball when disturbed is characteristic of the Armadillidium genus.

Hardy • Vibrant orange colour • Beautiful spotting • Great display species • Excellent clean-up crew

*12 Isopods