Porcellio magnificus
12 mixed: $100 (Contact for availability)
50 mixed: $300 (Contact for availability)
100 mixed: $500 (Contact for availability)
Detailed Species Stats -Click-
The defunct term “Spanish giant orange isopod” is certainly better applied to this large species over the more common bio-active cleaner variety of Porcellio scaber. Once considered a subspecies of Porcellio hoffmannseggii, the intense orange color, bold personality, and imposing size of these isopods have made them a quick favorite in the invertebrate hobby. This species prefers and tolerates much higher temperature than other Spanish species with optimal reproduction occurring in the low 80s. Care must be taken to allow the isopods to find humid retreats while not creating stuffy conditions in their set-up as they prefer high ventilation, but have sensitive young. Adult females produce large litters and often tend to their babies for several instars, and this amount of parental investment suggests a more K-selected reproductive strategy in the wild. Like most isopods, they are not picky and do well on the typical detritivore chow of well-rotted leaf litter, dog food, and assorted fruits and vegetables; rotting wood is not often consumed.