Porcellio scaber “Lava”: Care & Feeding Guide
Sep 27, 2026
LucaTech3D · Isopod care
Dark areas with reddish to orange patches give Porcellio scaber “Lava” its name. Individual animals can look quite different. We recommend a simple, ventilated enclosure with plenty of leaves and a dependable moist corner.
- Temperature · guideline
- 18–23 °C
- Moisture
- Moist area and drier retreats
- Focus
- Porcellio scaber colour form
Appearance & behaviour
Lava is a colour form of Porcellio scaber. Its irregular pattern makes a group particularly varied. Leaves and bark provide cover, while a fixed feeding point lets you observe the colony without constantly moving the setup.
Enclosure & setup
Use loose leaf mould, decomposed leaves and white-rotted wood as the substrate base. Add leaf litter and our Cork Fragments 200 g as shelters. Arrange suitable pieces so the animals can move between retreats and the feeding spot along short, leaf-covered routes. Keep the moist area accessible and provide an easy-to-check feeding point. Lava stones are unnecessary: the name refers to colour.
Temperature & moisture
Use 18–23 °C as a guide. Keep one section reliably moist with less damp areas alongside it. Check beneath the leaves before watering. In a ventilated enclosure, the surface may dry faster than deeper layers. Avoid direct sun and complete drying.
Food & calcium
Leaves serve as both cover and food. Keep them available alongside suitable decaying wood and calcium. Offer our Premium Sowbug Food in small portions at a fixed feeding spot. The included wooden spoon makes it easy to measure out the mixture; occasional vegetables can add variety. A dish makes checking easier but cannot prevent mould. Remove leftovers before they spoil.
Breeding & colony growth
Maintain steady conditions and replenish consumed leaves. Tiny juveniles are easily missed among substrate particles. Check material removed during maintenance before discarding it. We recommend a separate, labelled culture for deliberate line breeding.
Comparing the range
Lava belongs to Porcellio scaber, whereas Orange and Panda belong to Porcellio laevis. Their enclosure basics are similar, but the temperature guideline here is lower for Lava. Its pattern is also more varied than the more uniformly orange laevis.
Routine care
- Check regularly that the moist corner has not dried out and ventilation openings are clear.
- Remove leftover food and replenish leaves as they are consumed.
- Replace substrate in portions when needed, taking care of tiny juveniles.
Frequently asked questions
Are all Lava isopods coloured alike?
No. Pattern and the amount of reddish or orange colour vary. Product photos show examples of the colour form.
Do I need lava rock in the enclosure?
No. Suitable substrate, leaves, wood and shelters matter. The name refers only to colour.
How can I reduce mould on extra food?
Offer smaller portions, remove leftovers early and check ventilation and moisture. A fixed feeding point makes this easier.
Further reading
Want to learn more? These sources provide further information on isopod care. Updated: September 2026.
