Discover the Fascinating World of 'Specials'

Isopod Armadillidium Vulgare "Magic Potion"

Nymphs from our own breeding. The sex of the nymphs is random. If you want to breed with them, we recommend ordering a group of 10 nymphs.
 

Information

Meet the Magic Potion Isopods – a captivating and enchanting addition to any terrarium or vivarium! These captivating critters are named for their mesmerizing colors, which resemble the magical hues of a potent elixir.

Magic Potion Isopods are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike, as they are not only visually stunning but also play a crucial role in maintaining a thriving terrarium ecosystem. These isopods possess a natural ability to scavenge, feeding on decaying plant matter and aiding in the breakdown of waste within their enclosure.

Caring for Magic Potion Isopods is a breeze, making them an excellent choice for beginners. They thrive in a humid environment with access to fresh water, along with a substrate that allows for burrowing and hiding. These social creatures can be kept in groups, provided there is ample space and resources to accommodate them.
 

Appearance

They typically grow to just over 1 cm, but these tiny rockets are full of activity. Their name is inspired by the distinctive patterns on their backs, reminiscent of the vibrant hues in magical potions. With an average lifespan of two to three years, the longevity of Magic Potion Isopods is influenced by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.

Behavior

One of the fascinating characteristics of Magic Potion Isopods is their remarkable ability to curl into a tight ball when faced with danger, providing them with a natural defense mechanism against predators. They possess the remarkable ability to clean soil and water of toxic heavy metals, making them valuable for environmental remediation projects. Magic Potion Isopods are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs and the ability to reproduce independently, without a mate.

Food

Isopods are true scavengers. They eat, among other things, dead wood, dead beech and oak leaves, fish food, cucumber and mushrooms. Cuttlebone should certainly not be missing as they have a high need for calcium, which can also be offered in powder form.

Environmental requirements

Isopods cannot climb glass, so a glass enclosure is sufficient. Use coco peat as a substrate mixed with humus, dead leaves (beech and oak), some pieces of decomposed wood and bark. The Porcelliomides pruinosus "powder orange" does not have high environmental demands. Spray one part of the enclosure so they can choose a drier or more humid spot themselves. The temperature should be between 21 and 25 degrees Celsius.

Jumping Spider - Phidippus regius "White" Bahama

The stage at which the spiders are sold is between L3 and L5. Please note, they are still very small (a few mm in size) and feed on fruit flies.
 

Information

Phidippus regius "White Bahama" is a jumping spider from North America and the Caribbean, this species comes from the Bahamas. Just before molting, they climb into their web and stay there until the process is complete. These animals are hunters and catch their food without problems. It is always a spectacle to watch them. Suitable prey animals include fruit flies, houseflies, or small crickets. Anything not eaten within a day should be removed from the terrarium. We feed and water young spiders every 3 days and adult spiders once a week. Humidity should be 70% with good ventilation. We spray some water in a corner; this is sufficient, and it is better to spray sparingly than too much. The animals absorb water droplets as needed and thus quench their thirst.

Appearance

The female and male are approximately 3-4 cm in size, including their legs. The female has a larger abdomen, but the male has slightly longer legs. The male's color is always the same, black speckled with white with green chelicerae, in contrast to the female's, which varies from light white-beige to dark brown or even solid black.

Behavior

Jumping spiders are true hunters. When offered a fly or cricket, she will quickly hunt and catch her prey with a jump. They are active during the day, making them often easily visible. At night, they sleep in a self-made cocoon or hide under a plant.

Food

Adult regius eat curly-wing flies, houseflies, crickets, or other small insects. A cricket that is not eaten must be removed from the enclosure, as it can disturb or even kill the spider during a molt or sleep. Be vigilant about this. Young regius eat fruit flies, curly-wing flies, or micro crickets. The regius can handle prey that is as large as themselves. They drink from spray water; make sure it is fresh and not too cold.
We advise not to spray too much; they like dryness. A few drops that they can take/get themselves are sufficient. And fruit flies are initially the best food source.
 

Environmental requirements

A jumping spider's enclosure should be approximately 5x5x7cm with good ventilation. Eventually, a terrarium of 20x20x30 can be suitable for adult spiders. Humidity should be between 40 and 70% with an ideal temperature of 26-28 degrees. It is important that the spider can drink a few drops every few days; much more is not necessary.
Heating can be done with a lamp; do not use a heating mat from below (due to the risk of dehydration). Placing the enclosure in a bright place at room temperature is also possible, though they may be somewhat less active. The desired temperature is 24-30°C during the day, a minimum of 14°C at night.

Group housing

Jumping spiders cannot be housed together due to cannibalism.

Triops Cancriformis Beni Kabuto

The Triops Beni-kabuto originates from Japan and is therefore an Asian Triops species. Nevertheless, it is related to the European Triops Cancriformis. Because the blood of the Triops is reddish, it appears as if this Triops has a red body. The temperature in which it feels comfortable is 19-24°C, the same as for the Cancriformis. In other respects too, they behave very similarly. The Triops Beni-kabuto is not very cannibalistic. Providing sufficient amounts of food helps very successfully prevent cannibalism. The Beni-kabuto primarily settles in rice fields and ponds in Japan during the rainy season. This Triops species has a very short tail and belongs to the smaller Triops species. It can grow up to 8 cm including the tail, although realistically, most Beni's reach a size of 4 - 5 centimeters.

Size: approximately 4 - 6 cm
Lifespan: 90 - 120 days
Temperature range: 19 - 24 °C

To add yourself:
• Spring water (Bar le Duc) without carbonation (this can be bought at the supermarket)
• A glass bowl or container that can hold approx. 0.5 liters of water.
• A lamp (incandescent/spotlight) that provides light and warmth above the bowl or container for the first few days

Instructions for breeding triops

We provide brief instructions for hatching the eggs. If you have no experience yet, we recommend buying the starter kit which includes the other necessities.

Triops Newberryi

The Triops Newberryi, named after its place of discovery in the western US, is a rather rare tadpole shrimp. Despite the warm environment, the Triops Newberryi is a slow-growing and small tadpole shrimp. Including the tail fork, it grows to about six centimeters. It prefers temperatures just below 30 °Celsius.

To keep Triops Newberryi in a tank, a suitable heat source is required. It has a life expectancy of 50 to 70 days, which is quite average. The shell shows a beautiful tabby pattern. It becomes clearly visible after about three weeks. Its dark brown marbling on the otherwise light brown shell is its distinguishing feature.

The Triops Newberryi is a lively companion that will bring much joy to your aquarium. Enjoy watching this little American swim, eat, or dig.

By taking in Triops Newberryi, you bring one of the rarest Triops species into your home.

Size: approx. 4 - 6 cm
Life expectancy: approx. 50 - 70 days
Temperature: approx. 27 ° C

Add yourself:
• Spring water (Bar le Duc) without carbon dioxide (this can be purchased at the supermarket)
• A glass bowl or container that can hold approx. 0.5 liters of water.
• A lamp (incandescent/spotlight) that provides light and warmth above the bowl or container for the first few days

Instructions for breeding triops

We provide a short guide for hatching the eggs. If you have no experience yet, we recommend buying the starter kit which includes the other necessities.

Triops Australiensis
 

The Triops Australiensis originates from Australia. There, they are found in riverbeds and require a higher water temperature than other Triops species.

For children, this Triops Australiensis is a real experience. The triops grows so quickly that there is no chance of boredom for the children. Due to the warm temperatures, the triops can lay its eggs in as little as 2 weeks and later bury them in the sand.

The Triops Australiensis is a true swimmer among triops. The triops loves to swim quickly and performs one pirouette after another.
The Triops Australiensis has a long tail and a shimmering silver shield. Although this species lives shorter than other species, this triops truly makes it a party.

Size: approximately 5 – 9 cm
Life expectancy: approx. 40-70 days (under ideal conditions)
Temperature: approximately 28 to 32 degrees (heating element recommended)

Included:
• Triops eggs of the Triops Australiensis species
• Instructions for use in Dutch

To add yourself:
• Still spring water (e.g., Bar le Duc) (available at supermarkets)
• A glass bowl or container that can hold approx. 0.5 liters of water.
• A lamp (incandescent bulb/spotlight) that provides light and warmth above the bowl or container for the first few days

Instructions for breeding triops

We provide a short guide for hatching the eggs. If you have no experience yet, we recommend buying the starter kit which includes the other necessities.

Triops Longicaudatus Albino
  This is a variant of the common Longicaudatus triops, namely an Albino species.

The Triops Longicaudatus is also called the American clam species because the Triops Longicaudatus mainly occurs in America and was first found there. The Longicaudatus is the most popular species of the Triops genera and therefore the Longicaudatus is one of the best-studied species of the Triops. The Longicaudatus is a remarkable adaptor. It adapts perfectly to its environment, such as the small streams that form in spring and dry up completely in summer. The Triops Longicaudatus already lived at the time of the first dinosaurs and still inhabits the earth with us today. The colour of its shield is light brown. From the age of about two weeks, it can lay its Triops eggs. It does this by burying its Triops eggs in the sand when its egg sacs are full. Adult Triops Longicaudatus can lay up to 200 eggs, also called cysts, per day and usually reach a maximum age of 12 weeks.

The Longi, as insiders affectionately call him, is actually relatively easy to breed. As with all Triops species, special attention must be paid to temperature and sufficient light. Light is very important, especially for a large hatch. Once the triops have hatched, light plays a subordinate role. What should not be neglected even after hatching is the temperature. The Triops Longicaudatus feels very comfortable at temperatures around 25° Celsius. However, it should not be much colder or warmer, as its organism often cannot tolerate that very well. For breeding, it is best to use a breeding tank. You should not make too much effort. The tank should be clean, then you place the spring water and the Triops Longicaudatus breeding batch in it, make sure the temperature is about 25° Celsius and point a lamp at it. Now you have to be patient, but after 24 - 48 hours you will see the first nauplii vibrating in your breeding tank. They are very small and also extremely sensitive. You don't have to do anything at this point. Wait another day and then you can feed. Don't feed too much, otherwise the water will become cloudy, but also not too little, otherwise the Triops Longicaudatus nauplii will not find the food in the breeding tank and we don't want them to starve.

The Triops Longicaudatus is a fascinating Tadpole Shrimp, which is very suitable for beginners.

Manual for breeding triops

We provide a short manual for hatching the eggs. If you have no experience yet, we recommend buying the starter kit which contains the other necessities.