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Magnificent Isopod (Magnificus)
Porcellio magnificus
The Magnificent Spanish Isopod (Porcellio magnificus). One of the largest, widest and most incredible Spanish giants (up to 1.6 inches). Similar to the Expansus and Hoffmannseggii, but distinguished by the aberrant and shocking neon rust orange coloration ('Radiant Orange') and the very extensive whitish 'skirts'. Demands surgical care: a highly ventilated terrarium that is a dry wind tunnel (if one dies, it smells of rotten shrimp indescribably). Very expensive and only for masters.
Class:Malacostraca
Order:Isopoda
Family:Porcellionidae
Genus:Porcellio
Species:Porcellio magnificus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
40 - 60 %
Day temperature
20 - 26 °C
Night temperature
18 - 22 °C
UVB
None
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Arid wind-swept calcareous escarpments, dry gorges and roots of secular olive trees of eastern Andalusia (extreme Spain).
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Porcellionidae. (The Fourth Horseman of the Iberian Apocalypse). Together with Hoff, Expansus and Bolivari, it closes the circle of the giant Spanish super-isopods. It shares the wide flying saucer shape (flaring skirts) but boasts the brightest and most uniform coloration of all (no black or lead gray, only fire orange). Slow gestation, small broods.
Behavior and Habits: Orange battleships. The Magnificus are incredibly territorial pachyderms (especially adult males equipped with huge tails to fight with blind whips). They stay motionless for days clinging upside down to the thick barks. They demand enormous space: in cramped boxes the alpha males will decimate the subordinates biting their pleopods (gills).
Morphology: Titanic and flattened (1.6 inches / 4 cm). The morphology is a perfect fusion between the Expansus (for the flat spatula width) and the colors of the Ornatus: the whole body shines with a fluorescent Rust Orange (Pumpkin Orange) framed by pearl white or butter lateral skirts (White borders). Antennae as thick as trunks, smooth and dusty looking armor.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Guidance about terrarium setup for Porcellio magnificus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Lighting and Heating: Guidance about lighting and heating for Porcellio magnificus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Humidity and Hydration: Guidance about humidity and hydration for Porcellio magnificus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Feeding and Supplementation: Guidance about feeding and supplementation for Porcellio magnificus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Compatibility and Coexistence: Guidance about compatibility and coexistence for Porcellio magnificus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Health and Common Diseases: Guidance about health and common diseases for Porcellio magnificus must rely exclusively on the parameters and sources listed on this record.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Arid wind-swept calcareous escarpments, dry gorges and roots of secular olive trees of eastern Andalusia (extreme Spain).
Origin
Europe, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Terrestrial invertebrate profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 4 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 4 cm. The Roach Crossing — Porcellio magnificus source reports a maximum adult measurement of 4 cm for this species, recorded as body length. The taxonomic record consulted is Porcellio magnificus. 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.
