For the unfamiliar, isopods are an order of invertebrates that belong to the greater crustacean group of animals, which includes crabs and shrimp.
Her passion for these tiny creatures began in 2021 when she found herself with empty tanks after upgrading her other exotic pets – scorpions, tarantulas, corn snakes, bearded dragons and ball pythons – to larger enclosures.
“I don’t like seeing an empty tank just sitting there. So, I thought I needed to find something that could utilise the tank. That’s where it all started,” Eisya, 25, told FMT Lifestyle.
Her isopod colonies are vibrant and diverse, each species with its own behavioural quirks. For instance, some are timid and quick to hide when she opens the tanks, while those from larger colonies are more relaxed and comfortable in their environment.
“You would think something as primitive as isopods would eat anything, but no – they are picky eaters,” Eisya shared. “I have experimented with feeding different colonies various types of food and found that some weren’t keen on certain things.”
So, what DO isopods eat? Eisya feeds them a variety of things, including decaying vegetables, dead insects, and specially formulated powder that enhances their colours.
“If you keep them well, they will breed well. It brings you satisfaction, knowing they are thriving,” she said.
While her isopod journey started modestly with one species, her interest deepend within a couple of months and her collection expanded rapidly.
Today, she boasts 29 different types of isopod colonies, each with its own distinct characteristics and charm – with hundreds, if not thousands, in one colony!
Her partner also shares her passion for isopods, turning it into a friendly competition to see who can amass the largest and most diverse collection. This playful rivalry has driven Eisya to expand her collection further, aiming to reach 50 different types of isopods by next year.
Despite their small size, isopods can be quite pricey: the cost varies depending on the species and their breeding habits, with some fetching up to RM100 per creature.
“If anyone is thinking about getting isopods as pets, my advice would be to get them from hobbyists. I find that pet shops are not very familiar with isopod care. Hobbyists, through their own experience, are more knowledgeable,” she advised.
Eisya ensures the conditions in which the isopods dwell are meticulously maintained. For example, she uses cocopeat as a substrate owing to its ability to retain moisture, which is crucial for the isopods’ survival.
She also maintains humidity with sphagnum moss. Dried leaves provide both food and hiding spots, while cuttlefish bone supplies essential calcium for their exoskeletons.
Some of her isopods are great escape artists. Once, she found an isopod scuttling across the toilet floor in the wee hours of the morning.
“Sometimes, I’d find a couple of them from one colony in the tank of another colony!” she added with a laugh.
Ultimately, Eisya loves observing their behaviour, feeding habits, and the way they interact with their environment. Occasionally she even plays with them, taking them out to watch them closely, although they prefer to stay hidden or will curl up into little balls when disturbed.
“They are very cute! It’s funny to watch them when they roll over and it’s difficult for them to come back up. They are enjoyable to have as pets,” she concluded.
This article was written by Dinesh Kumar Maganathan @ FMT Lifestyle. Read more pet stories here.
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