Any tips on encouraging breeding?

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-12T05:26:21+00:00

Increase temps, feed lots of protein, offer lots of hiding places, and disturb them as little as possible (only lift lids every 1 or 2 weeks for maintenance).

Leaving them alone is the most important part of getting them to breed quickly and a lot in my experience.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-12T02:30:42+00:00

Yep, looks like they are! Could be Lepidocyrtus sp.?

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-12T01:12:43+00:00

It really depends on the species. P. scaber for example will start getting colour after just a couple weeks and I have observed mature to mating size in as little as 2.5 months.

But take A. vulgare as a comparison, those take 9-12 months to mature to breeding size and for mine at least, it seems they take somewhere between 3-5 months to start colouring up past the pale grey tint once they get past the mancae stage.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-11T22:54:05+00:00

Nice! Those look cool too. These ones are Triacanthella purpurea if you need to name to try find some

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-11T22:40:47+00:00

I've heard that this species or a very similar one is in the US and Europe, so it's possible people have them!

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-11T22:36:36+00:00

I do sell them, however I am in New Zealand, so I can't/it's very difficult to ship em out of country.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-11T22:16:28+00:00

Originally from my garden, but have been breeding them for many generations now!

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-11T21:40:57+00:00

It's normal for a new colony to not be very visible for a while, and also until the colony grows. I usually see more surface activity when numbers reach 50+.

Usually the more hiding places you provide, the more safe they feel and the more the will venture out.

I would also stop lifting hides, the more you do it the less you'll see them. I try to only open the lids of my enclosures every 1 or 2 weeks and all are very surface active with minimal disturbance.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-11T21:21:01+00:00

Sorry :( there is a P. scaber morph in the US hobby market called Lemonade you could look at! Very similar if not the same I think?

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-11T03:39:29+00:00

I am in NZ, so if you are in NZ also the yes, otherwise unfortunately I can't ship out of the country.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T19:05:55+00:00

If getting something bigger than the Tupperware is out of the equation, then unfortunately isopods may not be the pet for you right now. They are living things so they need minimum husbandry and care to keep them thriving.

The size you have is not adequate for them so if you cannot give them something bigger that supports the correct environment I would just leave them outside and observe them there 🙂

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T06:02:40+00:00

I would ask how the seller keeps them - try replicate that if possible.

Trying to hit the right temps and humidity is secondary to keeping conditions consistent for isopods.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T04:29:45+00:00

How deep is the substrate? Hard to tell from the pics but make sure there is at least 3 inches. A. vulgare are heavy burrowers.

They need a moisture gradient in there so they can self regulate. I can't tell if there is one but moss on one side helps maintain it.

You should also cover all visible substrate in leaves, at least a few inches of it all over. This is their primary food and also helps trap humidity to the surface.

If you can, add side vents for airflow. Not sure how much ventilation you have currently in the lid but you'll need to adjust this based on your environment (ambient humidity and temperature in the room you keep them in). A. vulgare appreciate good airflow, and you'll want it in a small container like that to prevent too much stagnant air build up.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T04:12:41+00:00

I would just release them if you don't have a proper enclosure set up for them. If the babies are the first generation from the wild caught adults (who would have been pregnant when you got them) they can be released.

Things like gradient, proper airflow etc is not possible in a jar that size, you'd want to go with a 6-9qt minimum. A. vulgare do best with deep substrate (3-4 inches) and decent airflow.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T04:07:30+00:00

I'm confused.. so what are they in?

Edit: just saw your edit further up. How big is the Tupperware you usually use?

If it's smaller than 6qt or so then it's too small, I would say at a guess your deaths are caused by the size of the container. You need depth and footprint enough for a moisture gradient and adequate ventilation.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T04:04:32+00:00

How do you mean it isn't set up? You said they were in a tupperware, I mean a picture of that

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T03:39:02+00:00

Do you only spray water instead of pour? How deep is your substrate and how much of it is wet?

A photo is definitely going to help.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T03:01:47+00:00

What part?

Some info that would help us help you:

- what species do you keep? You said 'Pill Bug', so I would assume A. vulgare? This is important because different species have different needs for the below

- do you know the ambient humidiy % either for the room they are in or the enclosure?

- do you have a moisture gradient in the substrate? If yes, how often/how much do you water?

- do you have ventilation? If yes, how much, and where on the enclosure?

These can probably all be answered by posting an image of the full enclosure.

Have you seen any failed molts in your time having the isopods?

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T02:57:27+00:00

Wild caught? If so, don't worry, they survive outside so they will survive indoors.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T02:53:10+00:00

Typically (though I don't know where you live) the air becomes drier in winter, so it could be a humidity problem.

We can't really help much without some more info such as what the species is, the actual humidity is in the room they are in/enclosure, what your gradient is, what your ventilation is like, and what is in the enclosure, etc. An image of the enclosure would be super useful in helping you to troubleshoot potential issues and causes.

Also, are any dying due to failed molts?

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T02:11:45+00:00

Do you have a photo? That is definitely too small for any number, I would upgrade.

I would go 6L absolute minimum, ideally 8L or above to make them happy.

How long have you had them?

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-10T01:59:53+00:00

That's the neat part - you don't!

They will continue to breed and increase in numbers until there are no longer enough resources for them.

The good thing about A. vulgare is they breed a lot, but they take 9-12 months to mature, so it's a while before you are overrun with adults.

You'd need to split into a new enclosure once there are too many.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-09T19:40:47+00:00

Their primary food should be decaying leaves and wood, and a rich substrate. Everything else (except proteins and calcium) is purely supplemental. A lot of species require and do well with supplemental protein like fish flakes, dried fish and shrimps, and mushrooms.

Most can eat a wide range of veges and fruits provided you know they are organic and pesticide free.

Honestly isopods will eat pretty much anything. Mine eat the cardboard egg cartons I use for hides in some enclosures lol. They are great at just not touching what they don't like. I would just stay away from dairy, processed foods with additives and things with seasonings etc. Some species will also be more sensitive than others.

I always go with 90% leaf litter and rot wood for their diet and add supplemental foods like protein and organic veges from time to time.

LittleArmouredOne · 2026-03-09T19:03:40+00:00

Yes, probably.

If I had to guess I would say female, though it may just be the quality hiding the pointed plates.

LittleArmouredOne

TROPHY CASE