The striking Red Tiger Isopod is like something straight out of a coloring book. This species of Isopod is unique in its beautiful coloring and unique adaptations, making it a fascinating cubaris isopod to learn more about.
In this article, we’ll discuss the natural habitat and behavior of Red Tiger Isopods, how to care for them in a home environment, and some interesting facts about these animals.
Read on to discover more about Red Tiger Isopods!
Characteristics: | |
---|---|
Common Name | Red Tiger Isopod |
Family Name | Armadillidae |
Scientific Name | Cubaris sp. 'Red Tiger' |
Use | Cleaning, Aerating Soil, Feeders |
Temperament | Non-aggressive |
Lifespan | 2-3 Years |
Diet | Detritivore |
Adult Size | 2-3 cm |
Breeding Type | Egg Layer |
Care Level | Easy |
Minimum Tank Size | 5-10 Gallons |
pH | 5.5-7.5 |
Hardness | Soft |
Temperature | 70-85°F |
Table Of Contents:
ToggleWhat Are Red Tiger Isopods?
Red Tiger Isopods, known scientifically as Cubaris sp. ‘Red Tiger’, is a species of crustacean belonging to the family of Armadillidae.
These hard-shelled animals are found in tropical environments of Thailand and have a striking red coloration with black spots that give them the ‘tiger’ part of their common name.
Red Tiger Isopods also have two long antennae, as well as two long posterior projections which allow them to move around quickly in their wooded environment.
These fascinating creatures are an important part of the global ecosystem, eating dead matter which helps in the essential process of decomposition.
Create an ideal habitat for your Red Tiger Isopods with our Customizable Isopod Terrarium Kits, which include everything you need to get started.
What Do Red Tiger Isopods Look Like?
Red Tiger Isopods measure between one to two inches long, making them a medium-sized species of isopod. They are dark brownish-red in color, with large, black streaks resembling a tiger’s stripes.
They have two antennae placed under the eyes, two long posterior projections that help them to move swiftly, and seven pairs of legs that help give them mobility.
In addition, they have two body sections, an upper thorax and an abdomen as well as two separate segments that house their reproductive organs.
Red Tiger Isopods also have an exoskeleton that protects them from predators and gives them flexibility and protection from their environment.
The exoskeleton also helps them maintain their body temperature and keep them from drying out in their dry habitats.
As scavengers, Red Tiger Isopods use their sharp mandibles to break up food. They have compound eyes that help them sense movement, as well as a series of sensory hairs that are located around their body for detecting movement.
Benefits Of Using Red Tiger Isopods
Red Tiger Isopods are becoming increasingly popular for use in vivariums due to their attractive appearance, low maintenance care requirements, and helpful ecological benefits.
They act as important janitors, effectively helping to clean up after other animals by feeding on decaying matter which helps in the process of decomposition.
Red Tiger Isopods also help prevent the build-up of any harmful molds or fungi in the environment, thus helping to maintain air quality.
These active scavengers play an important role in waste management and can provide effective assistance in keeping the terrarium clean.
Moreover, their vibrant coloration makes them an aesthetically pleasing addition to the home.
Red Tiger Isopods are also known as great terrarium pets, as they are relatively easy to care for, making them the perfect choice to help diversify the populations of any enclosure.
Red Tiger Isopods Facts
Red Tiger Isopods (Cubaris sp. ‘Red Tiger’) are tropical crustaceans with striking red coloration and black spots.
Red Tiger Isopods’ colorful appearance is natural to them and is the result of many generations of very successful adaptation to the environments that they inhabit.
They have evolved to be able to forage for food and protect themselves from predators in the wild.
These cubaris isopods have developed thick skins to resist dehydration, and the black and red coloration has helped them blend in with the moist dark woods.
This camouflage allows them to surprise their prey and predators alike, as they move around stealthily, mostly unseen.
Habitat
Red Tiger Isopods are believed to have evolved in Southeast Asia, with their habitats primarily located in Thailand and the surrounding areas.
These isopods can be found living in damp, humid environments such as wet forests and fields.
Here you’ll find plenty of decaying materials, as well as along the banks of streams and rivers.
They are scavengers and can often be found hiding under rocks, logs, and other debris, as they adore moisture and moisture-filled places.
Red Tiger Isopods enjoy proximity to water as they need it to survive and help regulate their bodies.
Replicate their natural habitat perfectly with our Bioactive Isopod Substrate Blend, designed to provide the ideal moisture and organic content for your isopods.
Diet
Red Tiger Isopods are scavengers, meaning that they feed on decaying or dead organic matter in their environment.
In their natural habitat, they can be found munching on decaying leaves, wood, small insects, and other debris. They will also eat dead animals that have been killed by other predators.
In the wild, Red Tiger Isopods also have another way of getting their nutritional needs met. They will sometimes feed on microflora, which are small organisms that can be found in the leaf litter and soil.
This provides them with vitamins, fibers, proteins, and other nutrients. For example, a diet rich in microflora may contain bacteria, mushrooms, molds, and algae.
Temperament
Red Tiger Isopods are generally quite shy and guarded around humans and other animals. They move quickly in the presence of any external pressure, seeking shelter and protection under leaves, wood, and rocks.
They can also be quite jumpy and jittery when handled by humans and tend to move erratically when startled.
For this reason, it is not recommended to handle Red Tiger Isopods with your bare hands, and gloves are recommended when handling or cleaning out their enclosure.
Lifespan
Red Tiger Isopods have a relatively short lifespan, with adults living for about one year on average. The life cycle of the species consists of three main phases.
During the first phase, the egg is laid and hatchlings emerge from the eggs; this process lasts for about four to six months.
During the second phase, the juvenile phase, the isopod grows and molts several times until it reaches adulthood.
In the final stage, reproduction takes place, with mating and egg-laying. During adulthood, the Red Tiger Isopod dedicates most of its time to scavenging for food and reproducing.
It is important to mention that the longevity of Red Tiger Isopods can vary depending on the environment and the availability of food.
Poor quality food and higher temperatures can have a major impact on their lifespan and fertility.
Additionally, overcrowding or inadequate housing can also cause stress which can negatively affect the Red Tiger Isopod’s overall health and quality of life.
Breeding
In the wild, Red Tiger Isopods typically mate during the warmer months of April to October. The mating takes place inside a shelter or near the entrance to their burrow.
During the mating process, the male will crawl onto the female’s back and use his antennae to grasp on as she moves. When he is firmly attached to the female, the sperm is transferred.
Once the mating is complete, the female will lay her eggs in her burrow, encasing them in a thick coating of a protective fluid.
The eggs take 3-7 weeks to hatch, after which the young isopods can take care of themselves and begin the process of exploring and finding food.
The newly hatched isopods show the red coloring and black spotting common to their species, which continues to develop as they grow.
Where To Find Red Tiger Isopods
Red Tiger Isopods are typically found in tropical forests of Thailand, including moss terrains and on the ground.
They prefer to inhabit wooded areas and can be spotted on decaying wood and leaf matter or hiding in crevices on the forest floor.
It is important to remember that Red Tiger Isopods are an important part of the local ecosystem and should not be collected in excess.
If you’re looking for an easier way to catch them, consider buying specimens online. Online stores offer isopods that are already raised and cultured in captivity.
They can be purchased and added to your terrarium with ease. In addition, buying from an online store will guarantee the quality of the specimens, since the health of wild-caught isopods can be difficult to guarantee.
Red Tiger Isopods Care
Red Tiger Isopods require a warm, moist environment with plenty of high-protein food and a substrate for burrowing.
It’s also important to provide some hiding spots within the terrarium and maintain regular spot cleaning to keep the Isopods healthy and happy.
Tank Requirements
Red Tiger Isopods require an ideal habitat of a vivarium type with a temperature between 75 and 86°F (24-30°C), a pH of 7.0-8.0, and a hardness between 5 and 8.
In addition, a high-humidity environment is required where the substrate is damp but well-draining, providing moisture but not standing water.
Substrate materials such as terrarium soil mix or Coco Coir are suitable and make sure to avoid materials high in quartz or minerals.
There should be a few hideouts such as hollow logs or cork bark, and a light source should be provided for 8-10 hours to simulate the natural photoperiod.
What Do Red Tiger Isopods Eat?
Feeding your Red Tiger Isopods is a vital part of providing basic care. These detritivorous crustaceans will happily feed on a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, small insects, algae, and fungus.
Here is a list of some of the most common things that you can feed your Red Tiger Isopods:
- Vegetables (like spinach, carrots, or lettuce leaves)
- Fruits (apples, pears, melons, etc.)
- Crushed-up grains (especially oats)
- Small insects (like mealworms, crickets, etc.)
- Live plants (like moss and fiches)
- Algae and fungus (such as dried seaweed or mushrooms)
When feeding your Red Tiger Isopods, make sure to provide a variety of foods to ensure that they receive all the essential nutrients they need!
If you’re more of an avid hobbyist like myself, be sure to check out my ultimate DIY Isopod food guide. I give a more in-depth explanation of the best foods and my favorite recipe.
Best Tankmates For Red Tiger Isopods
Red Tiger Isopods prefer having other tankmates who can coexist peacefully and who will not harm them.
Some of the best tankmates for Red Tiger Isopods include other peaceful isopods (if you don’t mind interbreeding).
These species all help to contribute to the tank ecosystem by breaking down detritus, which helps to provide nutrients to the other tank inhabitants.
In addition to isopods, Red Tiger Isopods can also be kept with small invertebrates such as shrimps, snails, and small crabs.
These animals also help to break down detritus and are small enough to not bother the other inhabitants of the tank.
Red Tiger Isopods can also coexist well with small, peaceful fish such as nano fish, small tetras, and danios.
These fish will not interfere with the Red Tiger Isopods, but will instead contribute to the enriched tank environment.
When choosing a tankmate for Red Tiger Isopods, it is important to make sure that the species is small and peaceful, as well as compatible with the other tank inhabitants.
This will help to create a harmonious tank ecosystem and ensure that everyone, including the Red Tiger Isopods, can coexist peacefully.
Conclusion
The Red Tiger Isopod is an interesting and unique species of isopod that can bring much joy and education to those interested in it.
Not only are they captivating to the eye but can be beneficial to the environment by helping to break down organic material and spread it, promoting healthy ecosystems and enriching the soil.
While these isopods may require extra care, their unusual beauty and interesting behaviors make aiding in their upkeep enjoyable. We hope you found this article an informative introduction to the Red Tiger Isopod species.
Create the ideal habitat for your isopods with our species-specific soil mixes and Insect Enclosure Kits. These products provide everything you need for a successful and thriving isopod colony.
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes approximately two weeks for a springtail culture to become established in a suitable habitat.