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Armadillidium klugii or other non-dwarf Isopods as clean up crew?

5.6K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  fishingguy12345  
Definitely make sure you want them in there, first. Any of the P. scaber have been used many times for large frogs.
When I tried them with thumbnails, eventually they did become a problem. With virtually no population control, they eventually just became too many. They began to have to compete for food. When they get hungry, if you don't supply food, they'll take it where they can. If there's nothing left to decompose, they can take a liking to a particular live plant in your viv. Mine had very good taste, and would only eat my jewel orchids.:mad:
Eventually, I started drowning pits for them to get the populations back under control, but I could never fully eliminate them.
A drowning pit is a 2 or 4 oz deli cup, half filled with water, with a few flakes of fish food as an attractant. They fall in and can't get out. They are shallow enough that a frog can easily get out. Once the get a kill or three in them, there effectiveness really takes off (from the smell). Don't wait too long to dump and change the water, (again, the smell).

Do NOT try zebras in vivariums. They need it particularly arid. I killed 90% of my colony trying to keep them like P. scaber.

Do NOT try dairy cows in vivariums. They really love meaty things. Until I hear back from others who have tried it, I would NOT trust Dairy Cows. (But they are pretty cool).

Someone I trust from the Colorado FB group has also assured me that many are using the Powder Blues and Powder Oranges successfully. They are the fastest reproducing isopod I've ever seen. Do NOT try them with thumbs and pums.