Isopods

Why should I get isopods?
Isopods are a great cleanup crew to have in any bioactive tank. Not just because their faces are so heckin’ adorable, but because they are fair dinkum beneficial. Isopods consume waste, aerate the substrate, and can help maintain stable bacteria within the tank. In our tanks, if fungal spores are activated by nematodes (read more here), the introduction of isopods can help manage the situation.

Fun fact!
As well as eating hermit crab poop, isopods also eat their own poop to maintain an adequate copper balance. If they don’t eat it their growth rates slow. Don’t go stealing their poop by cleaning out the tank - They need it! ;)
 

What do Isopods eat?
The main component of isopod diet is detritus, or decaying woods and plant matter found close to the ground. This decaying matter protects them and nourishes them. WIN WIN. According to (Hassall M, 1982) “Isopods play an important role in decomposition processes through mechanical and chemical breakdown of plant litter and by enhancing microbial activity”.

 

In our tanks, the later helps our substrate to be a well-balanced bioactive environment for our hermit crabs. During plant decomposition, water, carbon dioxide, and nutrients are released for other plants to utilise for growth - allowing new life to flourish. Isopods are like little conservationists working on clearing the way for more plants to grow. Cool.

In the wild, isopods favour matter rich in biofilm as it promotes healthy growth which leads to stable colonies. Biofilm can be found on plants, in soil, on rocks, or decaying animals. Biofilms such as fungi and mould, aid in decomposition within their natural environment by feeding on the surface on which they mature and colonise. For example, fungal and algal blooms can be stabilised by isopods as they will be attracted to the abundant food source.

What is biofilm though?
Biofilm is a group of microorganisms that form on the surface of plants. They can be proteins, carbohydrates and cellulose, DNA and starch (which is usually short lived but beneficial to plants and animals), and enzymes. Biofilm is formed based on environmental signals so it varies from plant to plant, and location.

Biofilms can be bacteria, fungi and protists (which include algae, and slime molds).

How is it formed?
Biofilm is formed in four stages:
•Bacterial attachment to a surface (in this case plants.
•Microcolony formation, that is the bacteria grow.
•Biofilm maturation - They become fixed in their colony.
•Dispersal of bacteria to colonise other locations.

Ok cool, but what does that all matter when it comes to isopods as a cleanup crew?
We should be feeding our isopods (and of course hermit crabs) varied plant matter from different locations for exposure to different sources of biofilms, exposing them to different beneficial proteins, enzymes and carbohydrates for a nutrient rich diet.

Because biofilm is found on other surfaces as well, isopods do well to be fed a diet similar to hermit crabs. The nutrients recommended for hermit crabs such as invertebrate exoskeletons, egg shells and other safe foods are equally important for isopods. It’s interesting to know that although we may provide a certain type of food to meet a specific nutrient need, such as calcium, they are getting far more than we see.

You had me at heckin' cute faces, but I added some and I haven't seen them for weeks...
Isopods, much like hermit crabs, need time to destress when added to a tank. Depending on the species of isopod that you have added to the tank, you may not see them for a couple of months while they establish a colony.

I recommend adding 20+ initially. This is a fairly safe number, no matter the tank size or species.

Common Species
Armidillidium Vulgare (pictured at the top of the page) are the slowest to grow and procreate.

Porcellio scaber are fast to grow, and quick to breed.

Porcellionoides pruinosus (powder blues) are prolific and once they establish a colony, there won't be much that stops them.

Give them a chance to settle into their new home without interfering with them or moving the decor and they'll establish themselves, and you'll soon be able to enjoy their antics :) 
 

Where do I get them?
This is the fun part. Head out to your yard, and you'll find these guys under flower pots, decaying logs, garden pavers, and big rocks.

If you can't find any local to you, you can buy them from isopod breeders.

I will link reputable breeders soon. Stay tuned.