Cubais Sp Murina "Mandarin"

Product Description

Cubaris sp. Murina "Mandarin" is the most vibrant and intensely colored morph of the versatile "Little Mouse" isopod. This stunning lineage is prized for its bold, saturated orange exoskeleton, which is significantly deeper and more "electric" than the soft pink tones of the "Papaya" variant. Like a walking piece of citrus, these isopods glow against dark forest soil and green moss.

The "Mandarin" combines the legendary hardiness of the Cubaris murina species with a high-end designer aesthetic. They are prolific breeders, active explorers, and incredibly social, often found huddling in bright orange clusters under cork bark. Because they are so robust and visible, they are widely considered one of the best "display" isopods for tropical bioactive setups.

Perfect for high-contrast bioactive vivariums, beginner-to-intermediate Cubaris collectors, and enthusiasts who want a splash of neon color without the fragility of more sensitive species.

Species Information

• Species: Cubaris sp. Murina "Mandarin"
• Morph: "Mandarin" (Solid Orange)
• Origin: Selective breeding from Southeast Asian stock
• Size: ~1.0–1.2 cm (Small, round, and plump)
• Activity Level: Moderate to High / Very Bold
• Rarity: Uncommon / Highly Desirable for Color

Care Requirements

• Difficulty: Very Easy (The hardiest orange Cubaris)
• Humidity: Medium to High. They thrive in tropical environments. Maintain a 70/30 moisture gradient: keep one large side of the enclosure damp with sphagnum moss.
• Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F). They are heat-loving and prefer stable warmth.
• Ventilation: Moderate. They are very forgiving and adapt well to standard terrarium setups and bins.
• Substrate: Moisture-retaining organic soil (Abiosoil) enriched with calcium and decaying wood.

Must Provide:

• Botanical Hides: They love to hide inside seed pods, nut shells, and under cork bark.
• Soft Leaf Litter: Magnolia and Sea Grape are favorites, but Oak is also excellent.
• A large, consistently damp "hydration station" (Sphagnum moss).
• Constant access to high-quality calcium (cuttlebone).

Origin and Distribution

While the parent species Cubaris murina is native to Southeast Asia, the "Mandarin" morph is the result of dedicated selective breeding within the hobby to maximize orange pigmentation.

Because this lineage descends from a "circumtropical" species, they possess an incredible genetic resilience. Unlike many "high-end" orange isopods that can be shy or slow to breed, the "Mandarin" is a high-performance inhabitant that will quickly establish a thriving colony in almost any tropical or subtropical environment.

Diet

• Primary: They are excellent decomposers of dry leaf litter and decaying white-rotted wood.
• Protein: Moderate demand. Provide dried shrimp, fish flakes, or isopod pellets 1-2 times a week.
• Vitamins: They love fresh vegetables like carrots, squash, and sweet potato (which helps maintain their orange color).
• Calcium: Crucial. Essential for their round, protective shells and successful molting.

What You Receive

• Starter culture of X Cubaris sp. Murina "Mandarin" isopods.
• Mixed sizes (juveniles and adults) to ensure a rapidly expanding, citrus-colored colony.

Why Buy From Us

✔ Intensely colored, healthy captive-bred "Mandarin" stock.

✔ Secure, moisture-stable packaging for guaranteed live arrival.

✔ The ultimate "high-visibility" isopod for any bioactive collection.