[dfrmav]

I just cultured my RETF and varadero vivariums with giant purple isopods (i know the varaderos won't eat the giant purples as adults, but they will eat the babies), and after a few days, I noticed that the isopods were in the open and not moving. What's up with this? I picked a few up and poked them just to see if maybe they were sleeping, but no movement occurred. Is this normal? I have dwarf whites (which as far as I can tell are doing fine), skirted and giant purple. I only put a few skirted in there and I haven't seen any dead ones, yet - it's only the giant purples that I'm worried about.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[frogface]

They were open? Could they have been the shells from molting?

 

[hypostatic]

It is my understanding that purple isopods have their color because of an iridovirus infection, which if usually fatal to the isopods. This could be why they are dead.

Unless it is a naturally purple species. Do you know the species name? Where did you obtain the isos from?

 

[Pumilo]

It is my understanding that purple isopods have their color because of an iridovirus infection, which if usually fatal to the isopods. This could be why they are dead.

Unless it is a naturally purple species. Do you know the species name? Where did you obtain the isos from?

This is what I have heard too. I don't believe there is a giant purple except for the infected one. Different Isopod Species and Iridovirus - Arachnoboards

 

[dfrmav]

Interesting with the virus...I had no idea. As far as molting is concerned, they weren't just shells. These things were the entire animal.

 

[hypostatic]

One of the posts on the arachnoboards link states that there is a naturally occurring blue iso in Afghanistan, is that species these guys:

anyone know anymore info on whether or not this species really exists?

 

[brod322]

Those are some awesome isos I'd love to get ahold of some of those