Cubaris murina

Little Sea isopods

The sensible first Cubaris: rounded look, tropical moisture, far more forgiving than cave Cubaris.

Pantropical / cosmopolitan small isopod (adults roughly 10–12 mm). Burrows and explores; breeds at a moderate pace once settled. Marketed as the entry Cubaris for tropical bioactive plant setups. Not as drought-tolerant as Armadillidium or Porcellio scaber. Morphs (Papaya, Glacier, etc.) share care, but other Cubaris labels are not interchangeable with murina. Difficulty sits at the beginner–intermediate edge because it wants tropical moisture.

Diet: Leaf litter, white-rotted hardwood, nutritious substrate; calcium essential for moulting; light veg/protein supplements.

Care tips

Keep substrate evenly lightly damp (never swampy); offer a slightly wetter moss corner.
Ventilate more than dwarf whites — murina likes fresher air.
Use nutritious forest-floor substrate; avoid bare coir-only bases.
Permanent calcium (cuttlebone / limestone) is non-negotiable.
Give burrowing depth (several centimetres of substrate).

Cautions

Some keepers report bolder appetites — watch soft seedlings if litter/protein is scarce.
UK cold snaps slow them; side heat may help culture tubs in winter.
Still a tropical animal — do not house long-term in arid open bowls.