Description
The Reductoniscus tuberculatus “Borneo Dwarf Gator” isopod earns its nickname from its place of origin combined with its rugged appearance. Covered in pronounced bumps and textured plates, these tiny isopods look like miniature armored reptiles moving through the substrate. Their earthy coloration and heavily sculpted itty bitty bodies set them apart.
Borneo Dwarf Gators are reclusive and spend the vast majority of their lives beneath the surface. As dedicated burrowers, they create a hidden world within the substrate, rarely emerging into the open except under ideal conditions. Most activity occurs after dark, making them a species best appreciated for their unique ecology rather than frequent visibility.
Due to their slow breeding rate and preference for stable, humid conditions, they are generally best suited for patient keepers who enjoy the less visible side of isopod husbandry.
Breed Rate: Slow
Origin: Borneo island, SE Asia
Adult Size: 5-6 mm, .5-.6 cm, .2-.25 in
Temperature: 70-80F
Habits: Moderately active, mostly nocturnal. They spend most of their time hidden in groups under bark or leaf litter, or buried in substrate. Can curl into an itty bitty adorable ball when threatened.
Husbandry: High Humidity (70-90%), Well-Ventilated, Deep Substrate with Moisture Gradient, Offer Plenty of Cover like Flat/Cork Bark, Leaf Litter, Wood Rot, Limestone, and Seed Pods (Magnolia, Sweet Gum, Lotus)
Primary Diet: Decaying Organic Matter, Leaf Litter, and Wood Rot
Supplemental Diet: Fish Flakes, Dried Shrimp, Cuttlebone or Egg Shells, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Butternut Squash, Freeze-Dried Peas, Dried or Dead Insects, Zucchini, Cucumber, Commercial Food like Repashy Morning Wood
