Porcellio ornatus Isopod Care Guide

Isopods are some of the best pet invertebrates! In this video, I discuss Porcellio ornatus, the ornate isopod. I introduce this isopod species, show some popular and new morphs and localities, and then discuss care for this isopod species. Finally I talk about this species’ suitability for bioactive vivaria as a member of a cleanup crew and its potential as a pet/display isopod species.
Thanks to https://www.smug-bug.com/ for allowing me to use some photos of their beautiful Porcellio ornatus isopods! Smug Bug is a great source for isopods and supplies, several of the isopod colonies I have come from Smug Bug.


Check out these LINKS to Isopod foods and supplies below. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

#ad here is a link to the ultraviolet Fungus Gnat trap I use : https://amzn.to/3qtA2pn
#ad I also use these fly ribbons, which effectively catch fungus gnats: https://amzn.to/2Yn1f0G
#ad I use this breathable medical tape to cover ventilation of some of my isopod enclosures: https://amzn.to/35oMTkn
I really enjoy my enclosures from https://www.tarantulacribs.com/
I use these fish food pellets as an isopod food: https://amzn.to/3uaz83N
Vivariums in the Mist makes some great isopod foods: https://www.vivariumsinthemist.com/is...
Wally at Supreme Gecko makes a great Isopod food: http://www.supremegecko.com/shop-onli...
superior shipping supplies.com makes the smaller isopod enclosures I show in the video.
#ad When I feed my isopods Repashy Bug Burger, they love it:
#ad 6-oz jar of bug burger: https://amzn.to/2PhSVKg
#ad 12-oz. jar of bug burger: https://amzn.to/2Mg3Nal
#ad Repashy morning wood is also a very popular isopod food my isopods love: https://amzn.to/2WdJq23
Isopods will munch on dried River shrimp as well!
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#ad To give your isopods calcium, you can use cuttlebone: twin pack: https://amzn.to/2S9H3hG

I own a copy of book on isopods by Orin McMonigle, a great source of isopod knowledge:
#ad https://amzn.to/2VArO1g

#ad here is a link to the sphagnum moss I use to help hydrate my isopods: https://amzn.to/36BxXiz
#ad here is some organic compost. I use organic compost as an isopod substrate component: https://amzn.to/3ptpoPK
#ad here are the oak pellets I use for my isopod’s substrate: https://amzn.to/2JYaznQ
#ad here are some cork bark hides, perfect for isopods: https://amzn.to/3kyRaX7
#ad here is the coconut fiber brick that can be used in isopod substrate : https://amzn.to/38I4si6

#ad Here is a link to the 6-quart sterilite tubs I use to house many of my isopods: https://amzn.to/2syYGZJ
#ad Isopods love cork bark pieces as hides: https://amzn.to/2WaYOfu
#ad One of the best food/substrate ingredients for isopods are oak leaves, such as these heat-treated red oak leaves: https://amzn.to/2We6GNm

Isopod Substrate ingredients:
#ad 1 part Organic Compost: https://amzn.to/2Wn4VO1 (You can probably find it much cheaper at your local garden supply or hardware store)
#ad 1 part Alder Pellets: https://amzn.to/2MBYj9O
#ad 1 part pesticide-free hardwood leaves, you may collect them locally or purchased pre-sanitized: https://amzn.to/2We6GNm
#ad I make my own isopod substrate, but here is a link to Josh’s frogs isopod substrate : https://amzn.to/2TfyC1D
#ad For FREE 2-Day shipping on qualifying orders, try Amazon Prime: https://amzn.to/2N2HuFb
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. In other words, I earn a small commission when you use that affiliate link, at no cost to you.