
Difficult

Vietnam

2 cm

22-26 °C
Colourful terrarium life: Proper care of Ardentiella spec. ‘Pastel’
Ardentiella spec. ‘Pastel’ is really something special for your terrarium, but quite honestly, they are not the easiest roommates. These eye-catching isopods with their pastel-coloured shell and striking patterns require very special care to feel really comfortable.
Your home should offer a perfect balance between humidity and dryness. Sounds complicated? It is a bit. You need to ensure that the substrate can dry out quickly without remaining wet throughout. Good ventilation is essential to keep mould and excessive moisture at bay. At the same time, the terrarium must also be moist enough for the ‘pastel’ to feel at home. So, a real challenge, but one that will reward you with fascinating observations.
The perfect substrate for these beauties consists of a mixture of forest humus and cork granules, enriched with a layer of dead leaves and small pieces of wood. This not only provides them with food, but also plenty of hiding places.
With their impressive colouring and interesting behaviour, Ardentiella spec. ‘Pastel’ are real eye-catchers. They add an unusual touch to any bioactive or planted terrarium and support the natural cycle of your small ecosystem through their decomposition activity.
So if you fancy a bit of a challenge and want to enrich your terrarium with something very special, then the Ardentiella spec. ‘Pastel’ are just the thing for you. But remember, they need your full attention and the right conditions to develop to their full potential.
The isopods formerly known as Merulanella have been renamed Ardentiella due to new scientific findings. For detailed information on this name change and the associated taxonomic adjustments, you can view the corresponding white paper. This provides comprehensive insights into the current research and the reasons for the reclassification.