How To Create a Moisture Gradient for Your Isopods

Isopods are crustaceans, just like shrimp and lobster. And like their aquatic cousins, isopods absorb oxygen through their gills, and this means they must have access to water.

As such, isopods need the right balance between wet and dry to breathe. A habitat that’s too dry or too wet is among the most common causes of losing a colony, making it essential to get the balance right. The good news is that it’s quite easy to create ideal moisture conditions by creating a moisture gradient.

This article looks at how moisture gradients work and how to make one for your babies.

Some isopods still live underwater like this marine species.

First Step – Check What Your Isopods Need

The first thing you should do is to check which conditions your isopods will thrive in best. Many species need a warm and humid environment, with a limited dry area that lets them expel water from their lungs. Other species will need a dry environment with a small section of your habitat dedicated to providing hydration.

You should use this information when considering things like substrate, how much moss and litter to use and how much ventilation you need. However, it can be difficult to get it right straight away, so be prepared to make adjustments if needed.

What is a Moisture Gradient?

A moisture gradient means your isopod’s habitat is dry at one end and wet at the other. The change between wet and dry is gradual, helping your isopods find the spot that’s just right for them. They can visit one end or the other, and you will often find them hanging out somewhere in the middle.

Creating a moisture gradient might sound tricky to new isopod parents, but it’s quite easy provided you have the right supplies, including:

• An absorbent substrate: Your substrate should ideally hold water well. You can easily achieve this by mixing some coco-peat with your nutrient-based substrates. However, coco-peat contains no nutrients, so make sure your substrate mix contains no more than about 20%. (This figure varies depending on whom you ask)

• A moisture holder: You will need something that can hold water. Water dishes are dangerous for isopods, but Sphagnum moss is an ideal alternative.

• A spray bottle: You will need a spray bottle like those often used in cleaning to wet the moss and substrate.

• Sharp tools for making ventilation holes: You will need tools to make ventilation holes in your habitats. A sharp pin will do in many cases, but you might need more advanced tools if you want better aesthetics.

• Leaf Litter: Leaf litter is a key ingredient when making a moisture gradient for your isopods. Fallen leaves help to trap moisture, creating an ideal mini-environment below the surface. They also provide nutrition and places to hide.

A good moisture gradient would look something like this.

How To Create a Moisture Gradient

Spread your substrate as normal, placing some sphagnum moss at one end. You can also add some sphagnum moss to the substrate to help it hold water.

Use sharp tools to make holes in either side of your habitat at the dry end. Add limited ventilation, if any, to the wet end to help it retain moisture. You add ventilation by making several small holes or a single larger hole with mesh.

Alternatively, you can use our purpose-built vents that provide ventilation and safety for your isopods. Having ventilation on either side of the enclosure ensures cross-ventilation, meaning stale air can escape easily to be replaced by fresh air.

Home Jungles Screw on Vents and Access Hatch

Leaf litter is also important because it helps prevent the evaporation of moisture, creating a layer with high humidity. Leaf litter also provides food, shelter, and enhances the aesthetics of your habitat.

And that’s it – your isopod’s habitat is set up for a moisture gradient providing the ideal conditions for your babies. Or, at least, it is sometimes that easy.

How to Adjust Your Gradient

Habitat dimensions and the surrounding atmosphere vary, so you might need to make some adjustments to get your gradient just right. Again – make a note of your isopod’s preferences. It’s important to get conditions right for your species.

Once you have introduced your isopods to their habitat, you should check in on them periodically.  Note where they are hanging out, and you will get an idea of where their favourite moisture level is.

If your isopods are congregating at the damp end, it suggests they are not getting enough water. On the other hand, isopods hanging out at the dry end tells you there is too much moisture in their enclosure. Ideally, it is best if your isopods are located throughout their habitat, switching between damp and dry areas as they see fit.

Adding or removing sphagnum moss within and above the substrate also helps you adjust the gradient accordingly. Adding or removing leaf litter will have the same effect by blocking moisture in the air from escaping.  

This should be all you need to know to make a perfect moisture gradient for your isopods (although some species have more advanced requirements). Key takeaways include using sphagnum moss to help retain moisture, adding leaf litter to control moisture evaporation, and adjusting ventilation.

If you have any questions, get in touch with the team at Home Jungles, and we will be happy to help you.