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Rustic Asian Isopod (Cubaris murina)
Cubaris murina
The Cubaris murina. Often called 'Little Sea Bug', it is the perfect entry into the complicated world of Cubaris. Small (0.4 - 0.5 inches) but incredibly resistant and fast to reproduce, it differs from the fragile elite Thai cousins by its rusticity and voracity. Found in humid and tropical climates all over the world, its classic color is a fascinating dusty slate gray, making it an excellent and cheap Asian 'cleaning crew' for humid and lethal terrariums.
Class:Malacostraca
Order:Isopoda
Family:Armadillidae
Genus:Cubaris
Species:Cubaris murina
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 85 %
Day temperature
23 - 27 °C
Night temperature
20 - 23 °C
UVB
None
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Pantropical species, cosmopolitan par excellence. Originally from the hot Asian humidities, but widespread in Florida, Brazil and Hawaii hidden under debris, bark and rocks of extremely rainy areas.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Armadillidae. (The Little Sea Bug). Unlike the majestic undescribed Cubaris sp. (like the Ducky or the Jupiter), the murina is scientifically classified and widely documented. It is the 'country cousin' of the dynasty, lacking the immense enameled armor or fluorescent colors, but balances with an incredible hardiness (which in this family is a very rare commodity).
Behavior and Habits: Wet armored tractors. Snappy if annoyed and not perpetually paralyzed by terror like the elite. Although they can close into a perfect ball if attacked by ants or asphyxiating spiders, they spend the nights grazing with impunity on rotting wood and emerge from the mud en masse as soon as you spray the terrarium with warm water. They multiply like fast tropical parasites.
Morphology: Total dome and armored with smooth scales (Up to 0.5 inches max / 1.2 cm). Small but very agile. The wild 'Wild Type' morph is a fantastic dark Slate Gray or ashen Leaden color, with a light dusty veil (Bloom) that makes it opaque. The posterior segments occasionally exhibit very light brick shades or pale spots. Fast and tight conglobation.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: ITIS records Cubaris murina Brandt, 1833 at taxonomic rank Species with current standing valid, in family Armadillidae and genus Cubaris. This taxonomic report does not establish enclosure dimensions, substrate, ventilation, materials, or a captive setup protocol.
Lighting and Heating: The cited taxonomic report does not provide a captive lighting or heating schedule.
Humidity and Hydration: The cited taxonomic report does not quantify humidity, hydration, or a captive target.
Feeding and Supplementation: The cited taxonomic report does not document diet, feeding frequency, or supplementation.
Compatibility and Coexistence: The cited taxonomic report does not evaluate cohabitation or provide a compatibility recommendation.
Health and Common Diseases: The cited taxonomic report does not provide disease, treatment, or veterinary-management evidence.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Pantropical species, cosmopolitan par excellence. Originally from the hot Asian humidities, but widespread in Florida, Brazil and Hawaii hidden under debris, bark and rocks of extremely rainy areas.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsExtra-Amazon South AmericaCentral America and CaribbeanNorth AmericaSouth and Southeast AsiaEast AsiaTropical oceans and reefsCosmopolitan or introduced
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 1.1 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Venom level
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 1.1 cm. The TC Insects — Cubaris murina source reports a maximum adult measurement of 1.1 cm for this species, recorded as body length. The taxonomic record consulted is Cubaris murina. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
