Cubaris sp "Crabby"

Cubaris sp “Crabby” is one of the largest Cubaris species currently found in the hobby (with some claiming as the largest Cubaris in the Western hobby), with adults reaching upwards of 2.2 cm in length. Beyond their length, they are also exceptionally bulky pods, almost like little orange tanks. Their name, “Crabby,” likely comes from their broad, heavy, crab-like stance. Adults have a thick, rounded, armour-plated profile, with wide lateral plates and a noticeably domed body that gives them a chunky, powerful appearance. Their bodies look almost like layered orange armour, especially when viewed from above. In colour, they are mainly orange through and through, with a warm golden-orange to rich amber or pumpkin-orange tone across the tergites. Softer yellow-gold flaring can often be seen along the sides, while pale cream-white seams between each segment create crisp, rib-like lines across the body. The underside is usually pale yellow to translucent cream, with lighter legs and antennae. Their eyes are noticeably large and beady black. Even their mancae are impressive. Newborn Cubaris sp “Crabby” are noticeably large compared with most other Cubaris species, giving them a strong, chunky appearance from the very beginning.

Despite their large size making them easy to spot, Cubaris sp “Crabby” are naturally shy isopods. They are most often found huddled together beneath cork bark in the more humid areas of the enclosure. Once the bark is lifted they usually begin moving fairly quickly, especially if exposed to light. Like most isopods, they do not appreciate bright conditions. They are not a true burrowing species, but individuals are often found tucked into the upper layers of the substrate. Because they spend most of their time beneath bark or just below the substrate surface, daytime activity is usually limited. You should not expect to see them wandering around the enclosure during the day. This species is also capable of conglobation. When picked up, Cubaris sp “Crabby” will roll into a ball almost every time. Unlike some species that remain curled up for a while after being disturbed, they typically uncurl soon after being placed back down. One source claims that Cubaris sp “Crabby” may produce a hissing sound when disturbed, supposedly by rubbing their legs against the inside of the exoskeleton. I have not personally observed this sound or behaviour.

The most important requirement for Cubaris sp “Crabby” is humidity. In my experience, they spend the majority of their time on the moister side of the enclosure, especially where sphagnum moss is provided. A clear wet-to-dry gradient works best: one consistently damp third with moss and leaf litter, a middle zone with slightly moist substrate, and a drier side that is allowed to retreat from the dampness but never becomes bone dry. Although they are not a deep-burrowing species, they do seem to appreciate tucking themselves into the upper layers of the substrate. For that reason, I recommend offering a deeper substrate layer than you might use for some other species, ideally around 7 cm or more. This gives them enough depth to settle into the surface layers while also helping the enclosure retain stable humidity. Generous amounts of hides, cork bark, and leaf litter are also important, as this species spends much of its time hiding or huddling underneath cover. Cork bark placed across the moisture gradient allows them to choose the level of humidity they prefer without feeling exposed. For temperature, I keep mine consistently between 22–26°C, with slight natural variation between day and night and across the seasons. While Cubaris sp “Crabby” appreciate high humidity, ventilation should not be neglected. A moderate amount of airflow is important to prevent stagnant conditions.

Leaf litter and rotting hardwood should form the foundation of the diet for Cubaris sp “Crabby,” as they should for all isopod species. Oak, beech, maple, chestnut, and suitable Asian leaf species are all good choices, and offering a varied mix is beneficial. Calcium should also be constantly available. This can be provided through cuttlebone, eggshell, limestone, or calcium powder. I personally use both chunks of cuttlebone, which they can rasp at and gather on, as well as calcium powder mixed into the substrate. Protein can be offered around once a week. Cubaris sp “Crabby” will readily take foods such as fish flakes, shrimp pellets, dried mealworms, and protein sticks. Vegetables can also be used as occasional supplements, with squash, carrot, zucchini, and sweet potato all being suitable options.

In my experience, Cubaris sp “Crabby” is a prolific and fast-breeding Cubaris species with low mortality rates. Many experienced keepers eventually end up with multiple tubs of this species due to how readily they reproduce. Brood sizes are not the largest compared with some other Cubaris, with my best estimate being around 8–12 mancae, which is expected given the larger size of the adults. They are not seasonal breeders, meaning they can drop mancae throughout the year.