News

Tropical Pink Springtail Care Guide (Coecobrya sp.)
How to culture Tropical Pink springtails (Coecobrya sp.): temperature, humidity, substrate, feeding, splitting cultures, and using them as cleanup crew. Read more...
Qilin Isopod Care Guide (Armadillidae gen. sp.)
How to keep Qilin isopods (Armadillidae gen. sp.) from Vietnam: one of the rarest isopods in the US hobby, with notes on humidity, airflow, cover, and diet. Read more...
Scarlet Isopod Care Guide (Ardentiella sp.)
How to keep Scarlet isopods (Ardentiella sp., formerly Merulanella): ventilation, climbing setup, humidity, temperature, diet, and breeding for this Heirloom Collection species. Read more...
Lemon Spiky Isopod Care Guide (Laureola sp.)
How to keep Lemon Spiky isopods (Laureola sp.) from Vietnam: a surface dwelling spiked isopod that needs humidity, airflow, cover, and patience. Read more...
Lemon Blue Isopod Care Guide (Cubaris sp.)
How to keep Lemon Blue isopods (Cubaris sp.) from Thailand: enclosure, humidity, temperature, diet, and breeding for this high contrast Cubaris. Read more...
Crabby Isopod Care Guide (Cubaris sp. "Nguyen")
How to keep Crabby isopods (Cubaris sp., also sold as Nguyen or Giant Nguyen): enclosure, humidity, temperature, diet, and breeding for the largest Cubaris in the hobby. Read more...
Cherry Blossom Isopod Care Guide (Cubaris sp.)
How to keep Cherry Blossom isopods (Cubaris sp.): enclosure, humidity, temperature, diet, color development, and breeding for this pastel pink Cubaris. Read more...
Ember Bee Isopod Care Guide (Ardentiella sp.)
How to keep Ember Bee isopods (Ardentiella sp., formerly Merulanella): ventilation, climbing setup, humidity, temperature, diet, and breeding. Read more...
Rubber Ducky Isopod Care Guide: Complete Cubaris sp. Care for Beginners and Collectors
How to keep Rubber Ducky isopods (Cubaris sp.) from Thailand: enclosure, humidity, temperature, diet, breeding, and fixes for common problems. Read more...
Thai Red Springtail Care Guide (Lobella sp.) Complete Care Sheet
Thai Red Springtail Quick Reference Species: Lobella sp. "Thai Red" Origin: Thailand Adult Size: Up to 5-8 mm (one of the largest springtail species in the hobby) Temperature: 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C) Humidity: 80%+ consistently Substrate: Soil based (NOT clay). Coco coir, sphagnum moss, and organic matter Diet: Fish flakes, brewer's yeast, decaying organic matter Reproduction: Slow compared to Tropical Pinks or Temperate Whites Care Level: Intermediate Retail Price: $35 to $55+ per culture Primary Use: Premium collector species, bioactive cleanup crew, supplemental feeder for dart frogs Written... Read more...
Springtail Care Guide How to Culture and Keep Springtails for Bioactive Setups
Tropical Pink Springtail Quick Reference Species: Coecobrya sp. "Tropical Pink" Size: Approximately 3 mm adult Temperature: 72 to 78°F (22 to 26°C) Humidity: 60 to 80% Substrate: Clay, charcoal, soil, or ABG mix Diet: Brewer's yeast, fish flakes, rice grains, decomposing organic matter Reproduction: Very fast in warm, humid conditions Care Level: Beginner Primary Use: Bioactive cleanup crew, mold control, supplemental feeder for small amphibians Written by the team at Creature Cache, based on firsthand culturing experience in Southern California. Updated 2026. Springtails are tiny arthropods in the class Collembola... Read more...
ABG Substrate Guide for Isopods and Bioactive Setups DIY Recipe
Our Modified ABG Mix Recipe (Quick Reference) Sphagnum moss: 12 quarts. Moisture retention, slow food source Coco coir: 6 quarts. Structure, moisture balance, bulk Orchid bark: 4 quarts. Drainage, aeration, food source Horticultural charcoal: 2 quarts. Odor control, microbial support Worm castings: 2 quarts. Nutrition, beneficial microbes Total yield: Approximately 26 quarts (enough for multiple enclosures) Cost: $15 to $30 depending on where you source materials Best for: Tropical and temperate isopods, springtails, bioactive terrariums, vivariums Written by the team at Creature Cache, based on firsthand use across all of... Read more...
How to Set Up Your First Isopod Enclosure Creature Cache
What You Need (Quick Checklist) Container: 6 quart gasket sealed plastic bin Substrate: 2 to 3 inches of ABG mix or topsoil/coco coir blend Leaf litter: 1.5 to 2 inches of oak or magnolia leaves Hides: Cork bark flats, egg carton, or coconut hides Calcium: Cuttlebone or crushed oyster shell Moisture: Sphagnum moss clump on one side for gradient Springtails: One culture added to substrate Ventilation: Small holes or mesh strip in lid Written by the team at Creature Cache, based on firsthand colony management experience in Southern California. Updated... Read more...
Best Isopods for Bioactive Setups
Which exotic isopods are best for a bioactive terrarium? A species by species guide to building a planted display enclosure around one isopod colony. Read more...
Durian Spiky Isopod Care Guide (Laureola sp.)
How to keep Durian Spiky isopods (Laureola sp.) from Vietnam: enclosure, humidity, temperature, diet, and breeding for one of the most striking isopods in the US hobby. Read more...