u/shadowpulpfan

Is anyone interested in freshwater isopods?

They are very similar to neocaradina shrimp, but possibly even hardier. They're pretty easy to keep in a 5 or 10 gallon tank.

https://preview.redd.it/91qsokt1le1h1.jpg?width=672&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f9c43bc3cd275a80d1a730da334edd3335985a9d

I'm asking for participation here. I know a few sellers from personal experience or reputation. I don't know them all. I would really like this to be a resource for other Reddit readers. The hobby will benefit if there are multiple breeders who work at providing healthy stock and also knowledge to potential keepers. There is also a benefit by their being multiple people keeping strains alive. Mistake and emergencies can and do happen.

I'll break down the geographic area and ask that sellers are added under each area. Please expand this post as needed,

Full disclosure: I am also breeding isopods and intend to start selling in the very near future.

Current geographic areas

United States

Canada

European Union

I'm covering what I know about the current species and morphs kept in the US. Feel free to add anything I am missing. I have some of these in large enough populations to sell but not all of them. I'll be adding another post about how to judge if a fw isopod breeder or seller is probably legitimate. In that other post, feel free to put any seller you believe to sell quality captive stock or who honestly sells wild caught.

(from my experience. I welcome other insights)

Keeping aquatic isopods seems to be an emerging hobby. Sometimes keeping wild species is the best or only option to get these isopods in your area. To help people get a solid start, I decided to post a somewhat short how to.

One place I have started to narrow down where they have been found in my area is to use iNaturalist.org. You can search 'freshwater isopod' and your location. After identifying promising places on a map, prepare for your mini 'safari'.

Is the fw isopod closest to you threatened or endangered? Collecting them could get you in legal trouble. Additionally, if you feel it is ethically justified to collect a small amount of these fw iopods, please do not start with anything so challenging as an endangered species. You would not want the very real possibility of pushing a species even closer to extinction on your conscience.

Once you decide on a promising and common species in your area, do some studying on the habitat the species is found in. Like land isopods, fw isopods seem to favor under rock and also under decaying wood or other vegetation.

I am looking for wild freshwater isopods. I have the more common domesticated species. I am assuming I would pay for shipping and a reasonable finders fee.

I currently have populations of Lirceus sp. 'Big Claw', Lireus sp calico, and what I believe is Asellus aquaticus.

I'm hoping to be able to develop domestic strains of other species and morphs. I'd like to see more healthy and harmful parasite free options available to the aquarium hobby.