Tricolor isopod (Merulanella sp. Tricolor)

Short answers

Tricolor isopod: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A box from 25×20×20 cm, escape-proof (it climbs vertically up glass and plastic), very well ventilated.

Tricolor isopod: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 19–26 °C (rather cooler), at night 18–22 °C.

Tricolor isopod: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: No UVB needed.

Tricolor isopod: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 1.5–2 years.

Tricolor isopod: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

19–26 °C (rather cooler)

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

60–75 % (humid, substrate not wet)

UVB

No UVB needed

Enclosure

Minimum size

a box from 25×20×20 cm, escape-proof (it climbs vertically up glass and plastic), very well ventilated

Substrate

Damp but not soaked; layered cork bark, moss, leaf litter, lichens and rotten wood; climbing branches; calcium

Feeding

Food

Vegetables, leaf litter, moss and lichens, rotten pale wood; protein (Gammarus), calcium – no bee pollen

Feeding interval

protein and vegetables 1–2×/week, leaf litter and wood always available

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 2.0 cm

Life expectancy

approx. 1.5–2 years

Origin

Vietnam (family Armadillidae); taxonomically placed in Ardentiella sp. in 2025

Protection status

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

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

A colony of 5–10 animals or more in its own box. Isopods are gregarious; single animals will not build a stable group. Do not mix with other colour forms such as Scarlet or Red Diablo, otherwise the lines interbreed. Springtails are sensible tank mates because they clear up mould and leftovers.

Notes

A three-coloured species, active by day and night; more demanding than standard isopods – a balance of high humidity and good ventilation is decisive. Captive-bred animals are "easy to moderate", wild-caught ones markedly harder. Keep it escape-proof (it climbs vertically).

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Scarlet isopod (Merulanella sp. Scarlet) – Intermediate
• Little sea isopod (Cubaris murina) – Beginner
• Greek pill woodlouse (Armadillidium gestroi) – Beginner
• Giant canyon isopod (Porcellio dilatatus) – Beginner
• Common pill woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare) – Beginner
• Rubber ducky isopod (Cubaris sp. Rubber Ducky) – Intermediate
• 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 Tricolor isopod (Merulanella sp. Tricolor) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a box from 25×20×20 cm, escape-proof (it climbs vertically up glass and plastic), very well ventilated), substrate (Damp but not soaked; layered cork bark, moss, leaf litter, lichens and rotten wood; climbing branches; calcium), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.