Rubber ducky isopod (Cubaris sp. Rubber Ducky)

Short answers

Rubber ducky isopod: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A box from 25×20×20 cm with cross-ventilation for a colony (10–20 animals).

Rubber ducky isopod: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Rubber ducky isopod: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Rubber ducky isopod: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 2–3 years.

Rubber ducky isopod: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

75–90 % (with a humidity gradient, yet well ventilated)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

a box from 25×20×20 cm with cross-ventilation for a colony (10–20 animals)

Substrate

Deep (7–10 cm) substrate of coco humus or ABG plus sphagnum, leaf litter and pale wood; limestone or shell grit is essential

Feeding

Food

Fallen leaves, rotten pale wood, vegetables; protein two or three times a week, plenty of calcium (permanently)

Feeding interval

protein 2–3×/week, leaf litter and wood always available

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 1.3–1.7 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 2–3 years

Origin

The limestone caves of South-East Asia (Vietnam / Thailand)

Protection status

Not protected (no CITES, no German Federal Nature Conservation Act listing)

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Colony. Isopods are gregarious and are kept as a group – with this slow species at least 5, better 10 to 20 animals, because they breed more reliably in numbers. Only this one species per tub: faster-breeding isopods crowd out the Rubber Ducky, and when food is short, freshly moulted animals get nibbled by larger species.

Notes

A sought-after but slow-growing cave species with small broods – building up a colony takes up to about a year, so it is frustrating for beginners. It needs high humidity AND good ventilation, plus constantly even moisture; calcium is essential for moulting.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Little sea isopod (Cubaris murina) – Beginner
• Panda king isopod (Cubaris sp. Panda King) – Beginner to intermediate
• White shark isopod (Cubaris sp. „White Shark") – Intermediate
• Greek pill woodlouse (Armadillidium gestroi) – Beginner
• Giant canyon isopod (Porcellio dilatatus) – Beginner
• Common pill woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare) – Beginner
• Powder blue isopod (Porcellionides pruinosus) – Beginner
• Marbled pill woodlouse (Armadillidium granulatum) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Rubber ducky isopod (Cubaris sp. Rubber Ducky) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a box from 25×20×20 cm with cross-ventilation for a colony (10–20 animals)), substrate (Deep (7–10 cm) substrate of coco humus or ABG plus sphagnum, leaf litter and pale wood; limestone or shell grit is essential), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.