A photograph of a single Armadillidium vulgare (Magic Potion Isopod)
A photograph of a single Armadillidium vulgare (Magic Potion Isopod)

Magic Potion Isopods

from $15.00
Only 2 available
Size:

Magic Potion Isopods are a color morph of the classic Armadillidium vulgare, a species known for their incredible rolling completely into a tight ball (Or “conglobating”)  when threatened, which is where the "roly poly" nickname comes from. What sets Magic Potions apart is their swirling mix of yellows, creamy white, and grays across the shell, giving each individual in a colony a slightly different look. They're a hardy, adaptable species that tolerates a wide range of conditions, making them forgiving for anyone still getting their setup dialed in. Breeding is steady and reliable, and their larger size compared to species like Powders makes them easy to spot as they graze through leaf litter and decaying matter, a solid choice for a bioactive cleanup crew.

Magic Potion Isopods are a color morph of the classic Armadillidium vulgare, a species known for their incredible rolling completely into a tight ball (Or “conglobating”)  when threatened, which is where the "roly poly" nickname comes from. What sets Magic Potions apart is their swirling mix of yellows, creamy white, and grays across the shell, giving each individual in a colony a slightly different look. They're a hardy, adaptable species that tolerates a wide range of conditions, making them forgiving for anyone still getting their setup dialed in. Breeding is steady and reliable, and their larger size compared to species like Powders makes them easy to spot as they graze through leaf litter and decaying matter, a solid choice for a bioactive cleanup crew.

What's the ideal diet for your Magic Potion Isopods?

We highly recommend feeding this species a balanced diet of vegetables & proteins. Additionally, we suggest adding cuttlebone or crushed eggshells to the enclosure to boost calcium intake. For vegetables, we recommend bok choy, mustard greens, and collard greens, as well as organic butternut squash or any other squash that is readily available. Cucumbers can be given for water only as they are very quick to rot, and mold. One item to note is that isopods themselves do not eat mold, and mold/fungus are naturally occurring in the air, so springtails are a must for all kinds of isopods to keep mold spores to a minimum.

What is the best way to keep and breed your Magic Potion Isopods?

We highly recommend keeping isopods on Royal Soil, with Cork Round or Cork Flats for cover, along with additional springtails such as Folsomia candida to help keep mold from building up in the enclosure. Maintaining a damp side and a drier side allows your isopods to move between microclimates and hydrate as needed. We do not recommend a water dish, as isopods can easily drown in them. Instead we highly recommend you offer them water crystals or vegetables with high moisture content such as squash to keep them hydrated.

What is the best type of habitat to use Magic Potion Isopods for bioactive?

A temperate bioactive enclosure will suit this isopod species quite well within moderate climates. Layer Royal Soil 2-3 inches deep to support burrowing and moisture retention, and add a leaf litter layer (oak or magnolia work well) as both a food source and cover. Include Cork Bark Rounds or Cork Bark Flats for hiding spots, along with a scattering of Folsomia candida springtails to manage mold and decomposing matter.