CLOWN ISOPOD

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Merulanella sp.
Adult Size: Approx. 2–3 cm | Activity: Mostly nocturnal

📏 SIZE

• Adults reach around 2–3 cm.

• Small juveniles are very delicate.

🏠 HOUSING

• Secure, well-ventilated enclosure.

• Minimum colony setup: approx. 20 × 20 × 20 cm.

• Use 8–10 cm+ of suitable soil substrate.

• Provide cork bark, leaf litter and plenty of hiding places.

• Keep a damp-to-drier gradient rather than the entire enclosure being wet.

🌡️ TEMPERATURE

• Aim for 20–25°C.

• Avoid prolonged temperatures above 27°C.

• Keep away from radiators and direct sunlight.

💡 LIGHTING

• No UVB required.

• Normal room lighting is sufficient.

• Provide a natural day/night cycle.

💧 HUMIDITY

• Aim for around 70–80% overall.

• Keep one area consistently moist.

• Allow another area to remain slightly drier.

• Lightly mist as needed rather than keeping everything soaking wet.

🥬 FOOD

• Main diet: decaying leaves and hardwood.

• Supplement with small amounts of vegetables such as courgette, carrot and squash.

• Provide a quality isopod food occasionally.

• Calcium must always be available for healthy moulting and exoskeleton growth.

💦 WATER

• They obtain much of their moisture from the substrate and food.

• No deep water bowl is required.

• Maintain moisture through misting and a damp substrate area.

🐚 SHEDDING

• Isopods moult regularly as they grow.

• They may become less active and hide before moulting.

• Never disturb a moulting isopod.

🤲 HANDLING

• Handling is not recommended.

• They are small, delicate and easily injured.

• If necessary, gently move them using a soft paintbrush or similar method.

❤️ HEALTH

• Active, well-fed isopods should have a firm, intact shell.

• Large numbers hiding constantly may indicate unsuitable conditions.

• Sudden deaths can be caused by overheating, flooding, poor ventilation or contaminated food/substrate.

• Provide good ventilation while maintaining the required moisture.

🧹 CLEANING

• Do not deep-clean an established colony.

• Remove uneaten fresh food before it moulds.

• Remove only heavily contaminated areas.

• Regularly add fresh leaf litter and decaying wood.

• Preserve established substrate and beneficial microorganisms.

🏡 BEFORE YOU BRING YOUR ANIMAL HOME

✓ Enclosure is secure and well ventilated
✓ Deep, moisture-retaining substrate is prepared
✓ Plenty of leaf litter and decaying hardwood is available
✓ Cork bark/hides are provided
✓ Damp and drier areas are established
✓ Calcium source is available
✓ Temperature is stable before introducing the colony

⚠️ IMPORTANT BITS

• Keep the enclosure moist, but never waterlogged.

• Leaf litter and decaying wood are essential parts of their diet and habitat.

• Good ventilation is vital to prevent stagnant, mouldy conditions.

• Never use pesticides, treated wood or chemically contaminated materials.

• Keep away from direct sunlight and excessive heat.

• A healthy established colony will reproduce naturally when conditions are suitable.