Scaber Ghost Isopods (Porcellio)

Care Info

• Origin: Europe
• Temperature: 15–27°C
• Humidity: 50–60%
• Size: 17–18 mm
• Difficulty: Easy
• Rarity: Common

Product Description (Spooky… but Low Effort)

Meet the Ghost Isopod—all the reliability of a common woodlouse, but with a slightly haunted aesthetic.

These pale, almost translucent isopods are a selectively bred morph of Porcellio scaber, meaning they’ve got the same “survive anything” attitude… just dressed like they’ve seen something.

They come in soft shades of mauve, cream, and ghostly white—basically the isopod version of turning the brightness down and calling it a vibe.

Why They’re So Popular

• Unique pale “ghost” colouration 👻
• Extremely hardy (basically beginner-proof)
• Active and visible—no hiding 24/7
• Fast breeders (they don’t mess around)
• Great for bioactive setups

Personality & Behaviour

Ghost Scabers are busy.

They don’t:

• Sit still
• Hide constantly
• Pretend not to exist

Instead, they:

• Zoom around the enclosure
• Scatter dramatically when disturbed
• Show up instantly when food appears

They can’t roll into a ball like some isopods—so their main defence strategy is panic sprinting.

Housing (Keep It Simple)

• Basic tub or terrarium works perfectly
• Good ventilation is important (they like airflow)
• Provide a moist side + dry side
• Plenty of leaf litter and bark hides

Think: slightly dry woodland floor, not tropical jungle

Feeding (They’re Not Fussy)

Main diet:

• Leaf litter (always available = essential)
• Rotting wood

Extras:

• Veg (carrot, potato, courgette)
• Protein (fish flakes, dried shrimp)

⚠️ These guys like protein more than you’d expect—don’t skip it.

Special Requirements (Very Chill)

• Moderate humidity (50–60%)
• Don’t keep them constantly wet—they hate that
• Good airflow is more important than high humidity
• Add calcium (cuttlebone, eggshells)

They’re basically the opposite of high-maintenance tropical species.

Breeding (Fast Forward Mode)

These don’t take their time.

Give them:
✔ Food
✔ Reasonable conditions

And they’ll respond with:
👉 “Here are 50 more”

They’re one of the easiest species to establish and grow quickly.

Bioactive MVP 🧹

Ghost Scabers are workhorses.

They will:
✔ Break down waste
✔ Eat leftover food
✔ Keep substrate healthy
✔ Actually be visible doing it

Just note: if underfed, they may nibble softer plants—so keep them well fed.

Is This Species Right for You?

✔ You want something easy and active
✔ You like unusual but subtle colouration
✔ You want a reliable cleanup crew

✖ You want bright, flashy colours
✖ You prefer slow, calm species

Final Thoughts

Porcellio scaber “Ghost” are proof that you don’t need a rare or expensive species to have something interesting.

They’re hardy, active, slightly spooky, and incredibly easy to keep.
Basically: all the benefits of a classic isopod, with a ghost skin unlocked. 👻