I didn’t know keeping isopods as pets existed, I think I may have found another hobby to get into along with keeping tarantulas, one of my favorite tarantula KZread channels posted about this video and it got me interested in keeping a colony of isopods for myself as well

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Welcome to the isopod hobby!! I saw Richard ‘s post on The Tarantula Collective...very kind of him!

@derrickarthur2295

3 жыл бұрын

Pro trick : watch movies at Flixzone. I've been using them for watching all kinds of movies these days.

@jaggerishaan2345

3 жыл бұрын

@Derrick Arthur yea, have been using flixzone for months myself :D

@simonr7271

2 жыл бұрын

Getting one... hahaha they are addictive , you will get many once you start , enjoy the hobby.

@KittyKitKatLove

2 жыл бұрын

@@simonr7271 That's what they said about the tarantula hobby, I have 21 so far with losing a few slings in the process you learn as you grow

Just bought myself a nice acrylic display enclosure and some magic potions, now I need to save money for a while, they weren't cheap!

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

They can be pricey....but worth it, especially with a nice display enclosure!

@trooperboii6789

3 жыл бұрын

Lol I just got icopods from my backyard

@shadowhenge7118

2 жыл бұрын

You calways sell some off to recoup the costs, especially of your colony picks up a neat mutation.

I’m keeping my dwarf purple in a 2os deli cup. It is a brand new culture

Thank you Russ, because of your collab with Clint, and now because of your own videos I have just ordered 5 species of Isopod. I think I am going to go with 5.5 gallon aquariums with custom made acrylic lids. $11 a pop at petco right now. I intent to set everything but the dwarf whites up as a display. The dwarf whites I got really just for dart frog CUC duty

@Aquarimax

4 ай бұрын

Excellent! I am glad you have decided to take the isopod plunge…what are the other 4 species you chose?

Those are all cool looking homes for isopods collection

Thanks for posting these videos. I found some rollie pollies in a flower pot gifted to me by a neighbor was keeping outside and (gently as I could) placed them in side my moss terrarium. The information you've provided has helped me adapt that reappropreted fish bowl into a more comfy place for it's three new residents.

As I only acquired mine for CUC originally, but decided to house the extra my friend sent, I made the enclosure from a clear plastic box which had pastries in. Made loads of holes with a needle. Moisture gradient from corner to corner. My friend sent substrate and spagnum moss with the critters so I was sorted for that. I added cork bark, cuttlefish and maple leaf litter which I'd baked. Now my only worry is they might be too well 😳😜

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Only the best for your isopods!! 😊👍

I have "spilled" isopods a few times so I only use plastic boxes with locking lids! I do like the acrylic ones you showed; I'll look into those. Take care of yourself, Rus. You look a little pekid. :(

The tiny ventilated boxes are also good for if you have to move and want to ensure that your isopods don't get squished during the move.

I'm getting some rubber ducky isopods soon and I am so excited, the person who is giving them to me recommended your videos and they have been so helpful! Thank you!!

@Aquarimax

3 ай бұрын

Glad to hear it! Best of luck with yours!

I have mine in a pretty big tote because I have a bigger colony of them, I do work with some breeders (like ones that are slightly mutant or have beautiful color and genetics). Gotta love em their very nice lil pets. Most of mine really like moss and wood I’ve found out, I’m pretty sure they love eating the bacteria off of the strictures.

this helped me so much with my roly poly

Container Store has shoe boxes that are very similar to those clear enclosures for very cheap.

Thank you! Your information and wisdom is exactly what I need for my various critters as well as my curiosity :)

@Aquarimax

10 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Thank YOU for the support!

Thank you for these. I adapted this channel into one focusing on Pods.

Found you today, and I’m so thankful for your videos! You are informative and so helpful. Thank you for spreading your knowledge!

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! I am glad to be of assistance!

Those little tubs with the hatch are used in the uk for keeping spiderlings. Great video. I need to pick up some more isopods at some point

Great video! Very helpful and informative 👍

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

My Armadillidium klugi and I just want to thank you for making this play list.

Great video

I prefer using containers with gasket seals, when I kept dart frogs I had fungus gnats get into my dwarf white culture because I was using containers like the sterlite tubs that arent air tight. I don't use open holes for vents either, since the container I use is thick plastic I used a woodboring drill bit to make a series of holes in a line, and then laid some insect proof mesh over, and then used aluminum duct tape around the edges of the vent. Idk if you've talked about this in any previous vids but could you talk about when do you know its time to upgrade your isopods to a larger container?

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

I have used the method you describe as well. It can help keep fungus gnats out in my experience as well. I have found that fungus gnats disappear or are reduced to very small numbers over time, and that some of the most open ventilation seems to have fewer problems with fungus gnats. I have discussed that question in some videos in the pass l, but I will try to cover it again. 👍👍🏽👍👍🏽

Great video. You have a lot of knowledge and I am glad that you share it with others. I am a beginner breeder and while I am watching your videos I'm learning a lot of new things about these animals.👍

@Aquarimax

Жыл бұрын

That is just what I like to hear!

I ant an acrylic enclosure just for display. But the 2 dollar stackable bins u find in Walmart are the way to go! Im going to Walmart in a few days just so I can split my colonie for the first time. Im super excited!

Hey Rus! I have several isopod cultures and just today noticed a baby porcellio dilitatus in my culture! I am very excited. This has prompted me to wonder how long it takes for different isopods to grow and mature individually. I know some species breed faster than others, but how fast is that? I can’t find much online. I think it’d be awesome if you could do a video talking about each species amd how fast they grow and mature. Thank you! I appreciate your content and your help. Keep doing what you do. :)

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

That is a great idea for a video!!

Hi russ. I like to use shoe storage containers with the hinged lid from the container store and I add 1inch vent cover to each end. If I could add a pic I would. There a little pricey at 17$ each but are nice looking and a little cheaper then the tarantula cribs enclosure. Not that I dont love the tarantula cribs enclosure. Because I do. 😁

I got an acrylic box about the size of the tarantula enclosure off Amazon, I personally think mine is bit to tall but it's a clean look.

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a nice find! Height can often improve the aesthetic.

hello great video

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

glad you enjoyed it! 👍🏽

I’m so scared to get rubber duckies but they are my dream

謝謝你的分享，讓我大開眼界。

That last enclosure was cold 🥶

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

🤣

I love the micro habitat by Zilla

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

I haven’t tried those yet, but I would like to!

Love the video. Do you have any pet beetles I would love to see a care video for a stag or rhino beetle or Manet a scarab

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

I have some beetles.... have done some videos on darlkling beetles...I am raising some locally collected stag beetle larvaw too.

I really like the Tarantula and Micro Enclosures

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Me too! 👍

@frankdughtank8327

3 жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax Thank You For Making These Types Of Videos For Us

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

@@frankdughtank8327 You’re welcome!!

When i was little , i used to steal isopods from my garden 😂

Thinking about making a vivarium with isopods and different ferns and mosssess

Walmart clear shoe boxes 6$ as of 4/4/23. They are crystal clear, tight lid, AND VENT HOLES

I just bought 20 dalmatian isopds from Amazon. Should be getting them next week or so. I also got some food, small wood, and substrate for them I'm going to the store tomorrow to get a container to house them in. Any extra tips for caring for them? Love your videos, have a great day every day!!!

@shyspeaks9238

7 ай бұрын

How’s your culture pushing today? Did you find yourself getting more?

Iv also raised scorpions lizards snakes me and my buddy had a pet store I was a partner but I only dealt with snakes tarantulas scorpions most of lizards like bearded dragons and such corn snakes and a couple of smaller boa species like green tree boas. We had zebra beauty tarantulas Cobalt blues Goliath bird eaters and just Rose hair and pink toe tarantulas as well I've always been fascinated with creatures

@Aquarimax

2 жыл бұрын

Sounds like we have a lot of interests in common!

I actually have a couple of vivariums in 5 & 10 gallon aquariums. Both have isopods (Locally caught. No idea what species though.) as some of their inhabitants. And I just got a new 10 gallon today exclusively for isopods.

@enricojeremias5425

2 жыл бұрын

Yes what about (small) fish tanks as enclosures ? Given you/the isopods get the proper ventilation ...

@Aquarimax

2 жыл бұрын

They. can make good enclosures…silicone can male an escape route though, and depending on the lid, too much ventilation can make it challenging to keep up with moisture needs. Other than that, they can be great!

@enricojeremias5425

2 жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax Rus, I am impressed how aware you are - recognizing this (my) comment. You do a great job. If I could - I would love to chat with you about biodiversity in bioactive enclosures ... Springtails ✅ Isopods ✅, but what about introducing bacteria, fungi, other species like earthworms, millipedes, snails/slugs, silverfishes ... Are isopods and springtails just the best bioactive-clean-up-crew-team ? Or could you add to that team ??? Well, I tend to write too much, sorry.

Great video as always. Any tips for white mites in isopods enclosures?

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I assume you already have springtails?

@jacobwilliams1620

3 жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax i do. Ive been trying to add more to outcompete. They haven't become too concerning in number but I want to make sure it doesn't get out of control.

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

@@jacobwilliams1620 as long as the springtails are thriving, they should take care of things eventually.

@jacobwilliams1620

3 жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax Great! Thanks for taking the time to reply. Much appreciated. Looking forward to your next upload.

Can we collect em from our backyard or no? I have a bunch of em!

Came for the isopods, stayed for the daddy.

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

😊👍

@justingregoryyy

3 жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax hahaha 😅 great channel and super informative video. Getting my colonies started this weekend.

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

@@justingregoryyy Thank you! Which species are you starting with?

@justingregoryyy

3 жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax Dwarf whites and powder orange. Along with some temperare springtails of course! I met a local breeder who has a couple other species I'm debating over but I'm telling myself to take it slow. Haha plus, I actually have a use for the whites in my currently seeded bioactive viv.

Hey Rus! Hope you are doing well. I have had hermit crabs for quite a long time and have been looking into adding some isopods into their tank once I have an isopod enclosure established and running well. As a first-timer watching your videos, I am really enjoying your content so far since you do a great job explaining things for beginners such as myself; I also really appreciate all the links you put in the description. In any case, I was wondering if you were familiar with having isopods in hermit crab enclosures? I have done a fair bit of research, and it seems that isopod species that are either: 1. fast reproducing, or 2. protein loving, are NOT suitable to put in a hermit crab tank (eating a molting crab is a significant concern). Cubaris murina and Armadillidium seem to be good options, but I wanted to know your take on something like this and what species you would recommend for this situation? Thanks a bunch, Eric

@Aquarimax

2 жыл бұрын

Armadillidium seem like a great option, and I expect Canaria Miriam would work too, although I have not kept that species. Fun fact: when I started researching isopods years ago, they were commonly kept in two types of vivaria: dart frog habitats and hermit crab habitats.

@ericzliu

2 жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax That's awesome! I can't believe I've been missing out w/ isos in my crab tank this entire time haha. Thank you again for your recommendations 👍

I'm thinking of doing a terarium set up and adding live plants. Any suggestions? Edit: I have Porcellio Laevis

@Aquarimax

2 жыл бұрын

Are they Dairy Cows or Milkbacks, or another type? The first two may overrun a planted terrarium pretty quickly. The other types are a little less prolific and could work better. Armadillidium nasatum or one of the Porcellio scaber morphs could be good options too. What is the ventilation like?

Home Depot had the cheapest 6 Lt tubs

What do you recommend to keep dwarf whites in? I ordered a culture of 20 and spring tails. They are my first isopods and I want to make sure I don’t kill them!! Some of them will be going into my gecko enclosure!

@Aquarimax

2 жыл бұрын

With just 20, you might want to start out somewhere between a 16 oz deli cupnand a 6-quart tub. Low ventilation, warming temps (75-82 F) and 2” of substrate. They should do great for you!

Give a link for your T-Shirt please i Love it

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Here you go: aquarimax.creator-spring.com/listing/get-10-reasons-i-love-isopods?country=US¤cy=USD&nohelpkit=1&product=2&tsmac=google&tsmic=youtube&YT-AGNkefCKpWYI5SteUuHx3qEVRJdyGLzgqb22nm08s4_ZBQrD80QmEKWasWQmuQCg-VqmDXcx3m1LpXVqm_nlX6OHeHFOv2VDKG3hDDFnY0GObxZj88G0rGhK7__UReTBpuEl10e4X6SkLQ1F6UdHvy2z2kLG6bBEE7adr1gSgf-Ht-1numEpfY4JDTx5FGm_kJYMyJiZmqCpp7CNQnFVoPQOEwcwC1E%3D&variation=2122&view_as=USA

Your 1 week late, cover powder blue quick guide please!!

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Great suggestion!

@batonrouge1018

3 жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax wow you actually replied

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

@@batonrouge1018 I try! 😊

@Carrie_Krueger

3 жыл бұрын

Yes

Hi! Do i have to worry about any sort of toxicity from the super cheap plastic containers? I need to ship mine soon to my new home and I purchased dollar store containers but not sure if there is outgassing or other contamination risks? Thank you!

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Generally I give them a scrub with baking soda paste before use, just to remove possible residues. Seems to work well!

i want to have isopods in a vivarium later on, my boyfriend is getting my a tank for christmas but is an open aquarium i planed to have only plants in, so i am curious as if they would get out of it if it does not have a lid or any climbing surface, just plain old glass.

@Aquarimax

Жыл бұрын

They can’t climb clean, dry glass, but they can climb the silicone sealant, and thin films of soil, dust, water, etc.

Hello!

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Tony! You’re the first!

Does anyone know what size the tarantula cribs enclosure is?

I have this container will this work for jumping spiders? It is an extra gum container 35 pack.

I just found an isopod outside and I wonder if that tiny container you showed would be fine for just one isopod.

@Aquarimax

2 жыл бұрын

It would be fine for just one. If it is a female, though, you may find you have more soon.

So the small ones for temporary housing, did u show the the 7 oz or the 24 oz (I know this is dumb question)

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

I think I used the 7 oz, but the 24 oz is even better for isopods. 👍🏽

@matthewrand5563

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks

Is 6x4x4 the right size of the tarantula cases?

I have some pocellio laevis caramel, and they don't seem to be breeding. What might you say is essential for them to breed? heat, substrate, protein? I don't have a big collection of isopods, but it just seems like they are some of my slowest in breeding. Thanks!

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Protein should help...and they’ll probably surprise you soon!

@drdebsministryhub101

3 жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax , thanks. I hope so. Any specific food that you would suggest other than fish food or fish pellets? I have given them protein and am waiting :) I'll let you know if they do surprise me with babies.

I'm new to the hobby, actually don't have any yet. The only enclosure option I have currently is a 10 gallon aquarium, I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to fix ventilation issues with it since I don't have a drill and it's a glass tank... any suggestions are welcome.

@Aquarimax

11 ай бұрын

What is the lid like? There may already be sufficient ventilation for many isopod species. Keep in mind that they can climb silicone sealant though.

@Strix1213

11 ай бұрын

@Aquarimax It came with 2 lid options, one is a metal grate, the other is a slightly beveled plastic lid with a place for a light, and a notch cut out of the top (by the manufacturers). Edit: The isopods I'm researching are Armadillidium granulatum and Armadillidium maculatum "zebra". By this point I've already watched both of your videos on these isopods.

@Aquarimax

11 ай бұрын

@@Strix1213 the grate lid is probably best, but just make sure to keep their hydration station moist. That should do it! FWIW, I think you’ll end up seeing the zebras more of those two species.

@Strix1213

11 ай бұрын

@@Aquarimax Thanks for the help!

👍

Do I need to worry about them climbing up the sides of a sterilite container and escaping out of the not so airtight lid?

@Aquarimax

2 жыл бұрын

Keep the plastic clean, make sure not to provide ladders made of scratches or leaning leaves/sticks, and escapes are rare.

Is a fairly tight fitting lid ok given the springtails could potentially try and escape? Or is that a non issue? Also could one of the same totes work for springtails?

@Aquarimax

Жыл бұрын

You can use similar totes for springtails. I haven’t found it necessary to try to prevent springtail escapes , as the springtails typically kept with isopods need quite a bit of humidity to survive.

@seizedcarcass8440

Жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax I kinda thought so but wasn’t sure.

How do you cut holes in the plastic container if you don't have access to a drill, saudering iron, etc?

@Aquarimax

6 ай бұрын

If you have a thumbtack, you can poke holes in some types of plastic, if they are not too brittle.

I know I'm a bit late to the party but would an exo terra faunarium be suitable for something like a powder blue, or would they be able to easily escape through the vent holes?

@Aquarimax

2 жыл бұрын

As long as the sides are clean and smooth and dry, they shouldn’t be able to climb out

I have feigning death beetles and someone gave me a small amount of Milk Back Isopods,can they live together?

Would a medium slider crib from Tarantula Cribs be a good size for a starting colony of like 12 isopods?

@Aquarimax

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! I have used that size and really like it for a starter enclosure for a group of isopods like that.

@warni3092

2 жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax Thanks so much for the speedy reply!

Looks like Isonova has gone out of business (at least their web site isn't working). Do you have a recommended replacement other than the spider enclosure?

@Aquarimax

6 ай бұрын

Here is a solution I have used many times: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oqd9vJOaYLTUoZc.htmlsi=QQMpEbU_sEtLlIFc

hi rus

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Hi! How are your new isopods?

@amingus09

3 жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax oh, here it's night time right here so maybe tomorrow, i'll set it up

This is probably a silly question, but I’m new to the hobby…. Are Monkai (spelling?) new babies of ANY/ALL isopods, or only of the particular species/morph you showed/mentioned???

@kenechiachusiogu

56 минут бұрын

mancae is the spelling :) and they’re newborn babies of ANY isopods ^_^

Not really a fan of the natural look can I use a large critter keeper and or paper towel and hemp bedding

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Critter keepers tend to dry out rather quickly, but that might work if you provided lots of leaf litter on top, since the leaf litter isn’t just substrate, it is their main food source.

Are there any species of isopods that don't need ventilation and can survive in an fully enclosed ecosphere/vivarium and long as there are enough plants producing oxygen?

@SonOfTheNorthe

2 жыл бұрын

My A. Vulgares have fared pretty well in my praying mantis enclosure!

@SonOfTheNorthe

2 жыл бұрын

(P.S, the mantis doesn't eat them for two reasons, one, they taste nasty, two, they tend to spend most of the time burrowed, and the mantis likes to stay at the top of the enclosure.)

@fatdamon4167

2 жыл бұрын

@@SonOfTheNorthe is it an airtight sealed enclosure?

@SonOfTheNorthe

2 жыл бұрын

@@fatdamon4167 Nope! It's a glass container I bought from Petco. I keep it bioactive with live plants, so the oxygen production probably helps. But regardless, there's cracks where the door hinges are, and little vents below them, plus the top is a screen mesh that has an optional plastic cover that covers *most* of the top. There's still a section of screen that doesn't get covered by the lid, for air circulation. The openings are big enough for fruit flies to squeeze through, so I find them crawling on me in my bed sometimes lol

@fatdamon4167

2 жыл бұрын

@@SonOfTheNorthe which species of isopods can survive with out air flow in an airtight terrarium?

Do you sell your isopods or any supplies please?

@Aquarimax

Жыл бұрын

I do sell and ship to most US states. 👍🏼

@angelcarrion8607

Жыл бұрын

@@Aquarimax Do you have a website that you sell from?

Must the enclose be BPA free?

@Aquarimax

8 ай бұрын

Though that would likely be best, I don’t believe it to be a requirement.

I clicked on the isoviva link and it didn't link to site. I tried to google them, but didn't see anything show up that I could find, is this company still in business?

@Aquarimax

2 жыл бұрын

I think they decided to shut down, unfortunately.

I'm back

“A sterilize container” hey I have a sterilite container…. And a backyard full of isopods…

@Aquarimax

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, If you have a backyard, it is probably full of isopods! 🤣

Jesus loves you and died on a cross and rose three days later taking our place and paying our debt (for the wages of sin is death) so you can have eternal life and be forgiven of sin if you repent and pick up your cross and follow him daily

What do you think about the small enclosure prompted the rubber duckies to breed?

@Aquarimax

2 ай бұрын

Probably the higher population density (the Allee effect cam into play)

Great video

@Aquarimax

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!