White Shark Isopods — Cubaris sp.

White Shark Isopods — Cubaris sp. “White Shark”

They’re small, tropical Cubaris isopods with striking black, white and orange-red colouring. They thrive in a warm, humid environment with deep, moisture-retaining substrate, plenty of leaf litter, decaying hardwood and a reliable calcium source. They are a beautiful specialty isopod and can become productive once established. 🦎🦈

🌍 Origin: White Sharks are reported to originate from Thailand, particularly humid limestone/karst environments. “White Shark” is a hobby trade name; it is currently sold as Cubaris sp. because a formally described species name has not been established.

Best suited to warm, humid bioactive enclosures, with a moisture gradient rather than a completely saturated enclosure. They are terrestrial and do not live in water despite their name.

A good setup is:

• 💧 Moisture: Keep a broad moist area with a smaller, less-wet area available. The lower layers should remain damp, but the enclosure should never be waterlogged.
• 🌿 Humidity: Approximately 70–85%+ humidity works well, with good ventilation to prevent stagnant air and mold.
• 🍂 Food: Leaf litter and decaying hardwood should be available at all times. Supplement with small amounts of vegetables and protein such as dried shrimp, fish flakes or suitable isopod food.
• 🪵 Hides & substrate: Provide deep, organic, moisture-retaining substrate, ideally around 7–10 cm, with leaf litter, rotten hardwood, cork and moss. They are active burrowers and spend considerable time below the surface.
• 🦴 Calcium: A continuous calcium source is especially important. Limestone, cuttlebone, crushed oyster shell or calcium carbonate can be provided. Their natural limestone habitat makes calcium particularly valuable for this species.
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 22–27°C (72–81°F), with stable temperatures being more important than chasing an exact number.
• 📏 Adult Size: Approximately 0.8–1.5 cm (⅓–½ inch). They are a relatively small/dwarf Cubaris.

White Sharks are shy, mostly nocturnal and often spend much of their time burrowing, so don't be concerned if you don't see them constantly. They can be slower to establish than Powder species, but once a healthy colony settles in, they can reproduce well.

Tropical •Advanced skill •  Striking colouration • Burrowing species • Excellent display isopod • Calcium-loving

*12 Isopods