Are you looking for a unique pet that is easy to care for? Look no further than Powder Orange Isopods!
These hardy and charismatic invertebrates can bring life and joy to even the smallest of homes. With the right care, you can ensure a long, happy life for your sow bugs.
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the basics of caring for Powder Orange Isopods, from housing and feeding to breeding and beyond.
So, let’s dive in and get to know these wonderful animals!
| Characteristics: | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Powder Orange Isopods |
| Family Name | Porcellionidae |
| Scientific Name | Porcellionides pruinosus 'Powder Orange' |
| Use | Cleaning, Aerating Soil, Feeders |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
| Lifespan | 1-2 Years |
| Diet | Detritivore |
| Adult Size | 1.27 cm |
| Breeding Type | Egg Layer |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Minimum Tank Size | 2-5 Gallons |
| pH | 5.5-8.5 |
| Hardness | Soft-Medium |
| Temperature | 68-80°F |
What Are Powder Orange Isopods?
Porcellionides pruinosus ‘Powder Orange’ are members of the family Porcellionidae.
Their common name, ‘Powder Orange,’ comes from their unique coloring of creamy orange and white mixture – similar to the soft substance of a baby powder.
They are categorized as an invertebrate and can reach sizes of up to 12mm long.
These isopods are a relatively new popular pet as they are low maintenance, laid back, and aesthetically pleasing.
What Do Powder Orange Isopods Look Like?
Powder Orange Isopods are an off-white or tan color, being almost transparent in some instances.
These isopods have twelve body segments, each encased in a thin protective shield, and are typically around 1/4 to 1/2 an inch in size.
They have short legs and antennae, as well as bristles running along the back and sides of the body.
Benefits Of Using Powder Orange Isopods
Powder Orange Isopods are becoming a popular choice for a pet or a vivarium inhabitant because of the many benefits they provide.
Powder Orange Isopods are great for keeping compost piles aerated, as well as breaking down decaying matter which helps to keep a healthy and balanced microfauna in your bioactive terrarium.
In addition, they do not require as much care as other animals, such as fish, and are low-maintenance pets.
Powder Orange Isopods can also provide a natural and aesthetically pleasing look to your enclosure, helping to make it a living work of art!
Powder Orange Isopod Facts
Powder Orange Isopods have a voracious appetite and are constantly foraging for food as well as mates.
Porcellionides pruinosus eat leaf litter, fruits, veggies, and decaying matter, have a gentle and docile temperament, and live an average of 2-3 years in captivity.
They are more active during the night but may be spotted during the day as well.
Breeding them is relatively easy and requires a shallow water container, sponge, and a food source.
Habitat
Porcellionides pruinosus ‘Powder Orange’ originally originated from the warm, humid climates of southern Europe, and were first found inhabiting the Mediterranean region.
Their ideal habitat consists of moist soil or decomposed leaf matter, and they primarily feed on decaying organic matter.
In the wild, they spend their time scurrying among the leaf litter and scavenging for food, which helps to keep their habitat clean and clear of debris.
Diet
In their natural habitat, these isopods are mostly decomposers and feed on decaying organic matter such as dead plants or animal matter.
They will supplement their diet with decaying insects and fruits, as well as a variety of fungi and algae.
Additionally, they may feast on a variety of microorganisms such as bacteria and protozoa.
Overall, Powder Orange Isopods have a varied detritivorous diet in their natural habitat that allows them to become versatile and resilient species.
Although their natural diet is kept diverse and can contain a variety of different things, it’s important to note that captivity will likely require a more specialized diet to ensure proper nutrition of the species.
Temperament
Powder Orange Isopods are considered to have a calm disposition around humans and other animals.
As they are non-aggressive, they usually won’t run away from visitors but will remain in their spot unless you try to handle them then they may quickly scurry away.
It is important to note that despite the passive nature of Powder Orange Isopods, they are still not suitable to be kept as pets in households with young children.
The isopods need to be properly looked after and maybe delicate around the exuberance of small children.
Lifespan
Powder Orange Isopods live anywhere between 1 and 2 years and complete a simple life cycle in that time.
The Powder Orange Isopods life cycle begins with a mating period, which can take place throughout the year.
Females can lay 3-20 eggs each time, depending on the environmental conditions, and these eggs hatch after around a month.
Hatchlings, or juveniles, are light beige or yellow in color and are a fraction of the size of adults.
As juveniles mature, they grow, molt, and gradually darken in color before reaching adulthood.
Breeding
Powder Orange Isopods reproduce through a process that is referred to as “pairing”.
In the pairing process, two Isopods mate in order to reproduce. During this process, the male Isopod will transfer a package of sperm (termed a spermatophore) to the female Isopod.
After mating in the traditional sense, the female then extracts the sperm from the spermatophore, storing it in her reproductive tract.
During this time she will have the ability to fertilize any number of eggs before they are laid in soil or other soft objects.
The eggs will then incubate for up to several weeks, whereupon juveniles will emerge. The mini isopods will then undergo a series of molts in order to reach adulthood.
Once the young isopods become adults they will be able to begin the cycle anew.
Where To Find Powder Orange Isopods
Powder Orange Isopods are relatively easier to find for sale than in the wild.
They can often be found in moist soil under logs, rocks, decaying wood, and other debris.
If you are looking to purchase Powder Orange Isopods, there are many online vendors that offer them for sale.
I recommend buying isopods in small batches so that you can get an estimate of their overall health and make sure their new home is appropriately setup.
Powder Orange Isopod Care
Powder Orange Isopods are becoming a popular pet choice because they are low-maintenance and easy to care for.
They require a moist habitat with steady temperatures and should be fed a diet of vegetables, fruits, and high-quality supplements.
They can be housed in a terrarium and accessorized with plants and decor. Breeding Powder Orange Isopods is a simple process as they are very prolific breeders.
They need proper care and routine maintenance in order to thrive.
Tank Requirements
The ideal tank requirements for Powder Orange Isopods should include a vivarium type of subtropical terrarium or paludarium with a pH level between 6.0-7.5, a preferred hardness of 5-7, and a temperature of 70-80F.
Use an appropriate terrarium substrate such as coco fiber soil, sphagnum moss, and plenty of leaf litter.
A scheduled terrarium lighting is also vital to simulate the normal day/night cycle.
To top off the perfect environment for your Powder Orange Isopods, provide plenty of hiding places and vary the shapes and depths of your tank accessories.
What Do Powder Orange Isopods Eat?
Feeding your Powder Orange Isopods is an important part of their daily care and essential for their health and well-being.
Here is a list of some recommended foods for Powder Orange Isopods:
- Vegetables: Carrots, Zucchini, Cooked Potato
- Fruits: Apples, Bananas, Papaya
- Leaves: Beech, Oak, Cedar
- Decaying Insects: Crickets, Slugs, Mealworms
If you’re more of an avid hobbyist like myself, be sure to check out my ultimate DIY Isopod food guide. I give a more in-depth explanation of the best foods and my personal favorite recipe.
Best Tankmates For Powder Orange Isopods
Powder Orange Isopods are best kept in groups and rarely kept in isolation.
In order to ensure that your isopods live a healthy and happy life, it’s important to find tankmates who are beneficial to their community.
One of the best tankmates for Powder Orange Isopods is other species of isopods like Cubaris or Armadillidium.
As isopods, they will more than likely share the same beneficial qualities including scavenging and aeration of the substrate.
Finally, terrestrial snails and springtails make great tankmates for Powder Orange Isopods, as they feed on the same foods and also require similar environmental conditions.
Conclusion
Powder Orange Isopods (Porcellionides pruinosus ‘Powder Orange’) are an interesting and captivating species of pet to own. With the right care and attention, they can thrive and bring their new owners joy.
They are relatively simple to care for and require little intervention on the part of their keepers. With the right abode, food, and environment, these fascinating critters can live long and happy life.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, powder blue (Porcellionides pruinosus ‘Powder Blue‘) and powder orange isopods (Porcellionides pruinosus ‘Powder Orange‘) are not the same. They are different species of isopods.
Orange powder isopods (Porcellionides pruinosus ‘Powder Orange‘) eat fruits and vegetables, plant material, and decaying organic matter.
Yes, Porcellionides pruinosus ‘Powder Orange’ are capable of digging.
Porcellionides pruinosus typically come in “White Out”, “Oreo Crumble”, “Red Koi”, “Powder Blue”, “Orange”, and “Powder Orange”.
Porcellionides pruinosus are small land–dwelling crustaceans that feed on decaying vegetation and microorganisms in the soil. They typically inhabit forests and grasslands and help to break down and recycle organic matter.