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Shiro Utsuri Isopod (Cubaris sp.)
Cubaris sp. 'Shiro Utsuri'
The Cubaris 'Shiro Utsuri'. A colossal and spectacular elite isopod (0.7 inches) whose name and livery are inspired by the famous Japanese Koi carps ('Shiro Utsuri' = black and white). This Cubaris features a waxy and very shiny milk white or diaphanous cream shell, heavily and irregularly spotted with ink black, dark gray and sometimes peach dotted patches. It is a rustic but demanding animal, which requires huge quantities of calcium and calcareous forest terrariums to maintain the grandeur and enameling of the high contrast carapace.
Class:Malacostraca
Order:Isopoda
Family:Armadillidae
Genus:Cubaris
Species:Cubaris sp. 'Shiro Utsuri'
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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: Captive selection derived (or related) from Asian wild strains that inhabit the deep karst undergrowth and lethal tropical rotting mud.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Armadillidae. (The Dalmatian / Koi Cubaris). An exclusive mutation/selection of an undescribed giant Cubaris. If the Panda King divides colors into sharp blocks, the Shiro Utsuri is the triumph of random piebaldness ('Cow' or 'Koi' pattern). No two specimens are identical, making it one of the most collectible isopods in the world for morph hunters.
Behavior and Habits: Underground ceramic dairy cows. While maintaining the massive dimensions of the Pallasii or Jupiter, the Shiro Utsuri are incredibly voracious and much more active on the surface than other Asian Cubaris. If the box is pitch dark, they swarm to the surface to devour zucchini and krill, forming heaps of hungry spotted 'ceramic cows'. If disturbed they flee quickly and instantly conglobate into marble balls.
Morphology: Total enameled very shiny and armored dome (Over 0.7 inches / 1.8 cm). Majestic thick ceramic carapace. Entirely shiny milk white background, or pale opalescent cream, randomly flooded by asymmetrical and extensive patches of solid black (Ink black) or smoke gray color on the back and sides. They literally look like polished Carrara marble pebbles or large round Koi carps without water.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Guidance about terrarium setup for Cubaris sp. 'Shiro Utsuri' must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Lighting and Heating: Guidance about lighting and heating for Cubaris sp. 'Shiro Utsuri' must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Humidity and Hydration: Guidance about humidity and hydration for Cubaris sp. 'Shiro Utsuri' must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Feeding and Supplementation: Guidance about feeding and supplementation for Cubaris sp. 'Shiro Utsuri' must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Compatibility and Coexistence: Guidance about compatibility and coexistence for Cubaris sp. 'Shiro Utsuri' must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Health and Common Diseases: Guidance about health and common diseases for Cubaris sp. 'Shiro Utsuri' must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Captive selection derived (or related) from Asian wild strains that inhabit the deep karst undergrowth and lethal tropical rotting mud.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsCentral America and CaribbeanSouth and Southeast AsiaEast Asia
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- No verified data available
- 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
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.
