Cubaris Sp "Panda King"

Product Description

Cubaris sp. "Panda King" is the undisputed royalty of the "designer" isopod world. Named for its adorable and high-contrast markings, this species features a creamy-white body accented by a bold black band across its back and dark "mask" around its eyes, perfectly mimicking the iconic Giant Panda.

What makes the "Panda King" truly special is its accessibility. While many Cubaris species are notoriously shy and difficult to breed, the Panda King is robust, prolific, and surprisingly active. They are famous for their "burrowing" behavior, often creating intricate little tunnels in damp substrate, but they are frequently seen exploring the surface in social groups. Their rounded, plump shape and charming waddle make them an absolute joy to observe.

Perfect for panda-themed displays, high-contrast bioactive terrariums, and beginner-to-intermediate collectors looking for their first successful "designer" Cubaris colony.

Species Information

• Species: Cubaris sp. "Panda King"
• Common Name: Panda King
• Origin: South and Southeast Asia (Vietnam / Thailand region)
• Size: ~1.2–1.5 cm (Plump and medium-sized)
• Activity Level: Moderate / Social & Burrowing
• Rarity: Popular / Essential Collector Species

Care Requirements

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (The most "forgiving" specialized Cubaris)
• Humidity: High. They love a damp environment. Maintain a 70/30 moisture gradient: keep a large portion of the enclosure consistently damp with sphagnum moss.
• Temperature: 22–26°C (72–79°F). They prefer stable, tropical warmth.
• Ventilation: Moderate. They enjoy fresh air but are sensitive to drying out.
• Substrate: Deep, moisture-retaining organic soil (Abiosoil) enriched with calcium and plenty of decaying wood.

Must Provide:

• Deep Substrate: They love to burrow, so provide at least 5-8 cm of soil.
• Cork Bark and Seed Pods: They congregate in dark, damp crevices.
• Abundant Leaf Litter: Oak, Beech, and Magnolia are primary food sources.
• Constant access to high-quality calcium (cuttlebone).

Origin and Distribution

Cubaris sp. "Panda King" is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, typically found in limestone-rich areas and cave-adjacent environments.

Unlike surface-dwelling Porcellio, Panda Kings have evolved to thrive in the humid microclimates under rocks and deep within the soil. Their striking black-and-white pattern is believed to provide disruptive camouflage in the high-contrast shadows of the forest floor and rocky crevices.

Diet

• Primary: They are voracious consumers of decaying white-rotted wood and leaf litter.
• Protein: Moderate to High demand. Provide dried shrimp, fish flakes, or isopod pellets 2 times a week.
• Vitamins: They enjoy supplemental feedings of squash, carrots, and sweet potato.
• Calcium: Absolute Requirement. Crucial for their thick, calcified "Panda" shells.

What You Receive

• Starter culture of X Cubaris sp. "Panda King" isopods.
• Mixed sizes (juveniles and sub-adults) to ensure a rapidly establishing and breeding colony.

Why Buy From Us

✔ Premium, healthy captive-bred "Panda King" stock.

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

✔ The perfect "gateway" species into the world of exotic Asian Cubaris.