Technical Sheet: Porcellionides pruinosus “Powder Blue”
Common Name: Powder Blue Isopod
Scientific Name: Porcellionides pruinosus
Family: Porcellionidae
Description
The Porcellionides pruinosus “Powder Blue” is a small isopod known for its bluish-gray coloration, giving it a “powdery” appearance. They are popular in the terrarium and paludarium world due to their ease of reproduction, resilience, and ability to aid in the decomposition of organic matter.
Size
- Adults: between 8 and 12 mm in length.
Life Cycle
- Lifespan: 1-2 years.
- Reproduction: High reproductive rate, with young developing quickly in good conditions.
Habitat
They prefer humid environments, such as under logs, stones, or leaf litter, but adapt well to terrariums and paludariums.
Care
- Humidity: Maintain high humidity (70-90%) in the substrate, with both dry and wet areas.
- Temperature: Ideal range is 18-24°C (64-75°F).
- Substrate: Use a mixture of coco fiber, dry leaves, moss, and bark. It’s recommended to provide shelters such as decaying wood or bark.
- Feeding: Detritivores, they feed on dead leaves, decaying wood, and vegetable scraps. Commercial isopod food can also be provided.
Compatibility
They are ideal for terrariums with reptiles, amphibians, and other arthropods, as they help keep the environment clean by breaking down waste. They pose no threat to other species they coexist with.
Benefits
- They keep the substrate clean by consuming food scraps and decaying matter.
- Excellent for bioactive setups in terrariums.
- Easy to care for and breed, making them great for beginners.
Notes
- They are an active species, making them an interesting addition to terrariums. They are often seen on the surface foraging for food.
