Nagarus Cristatus - "Dwarf Grey Striped Isopod"

Nagarus cristatus, otherwise known as dwarf gray striped isopods are an excellent choice for bioactive enclosures, typically spending most of their time burrowed in the substrate. 

Nagarus cristatus serve both as a clean-up crew and a supplemental high calcium food for dart frogs, geckos and a variety of other amphibian and reptiles. They reproduce very fast once established, being parthenogenetic ( females reproduce asexually).

The dwarf grey striped isopods are perfect for vivarium and terrarium applications, with or without inhabitants. N. cristatus like to burrow in the substrate under their leaf litter in the day but do exhibit crepuscular behavior, emerging at dawn / dusk. While these dwarf isopods have been known to chew on living plant material we have observed no negative interactions with amphibians, softer bodied reptiles or snails. 

Temperature Range- Tropical, between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit (18-26 Celsius). 

Humidity Range- Minimum 50%, can go up to 75%. 

Feeding- Powdered food such as Repashy Morning Wood and Bug Burger, Vegetables (including squash, carrot, zucchini, pumpkin, romaine lettuce), small amounts of fruits like mango skin and banana peel. We do supplement feed protein once every other week in the form of Fluval BSFL fish flakes, dried minnow or dried mealworm.

Substrate- Any amphibian or reptile safe substrate will work as long as it has extra calcium, leaf litter and moss mixed in for humidity. The addition of horticultural charcoal will help compaction and smells from the substrate as well as provide surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow. The dwarf grey striped isopod thrives in moist substrate as long as it is not too wet. 

This particular line was found wild in Hollywood, Florida and after we reproduced them in captivity for more than three generations, we are able to offer them to the public.