Best Isopods for New Caledonian Gecko Bioactive Vivarium

For New Caledonian geckos (like Crested Geckos, Gargoyle Geckos, Leachianus, etc.), the best isopods are those that thrive in humid, tropical environments, as these match the geckos' native conditions. Here are some of the best isopod species for these setups:

Best Isopods for New Caledonian Geckos:

1. Dwarf White Isopods (Trichorhina tomentosa)

• Pros:

  • Very small, so they won't bother your geckos.

  • Excellent detritivores – clean up poop and decaying plant matter.

  • Reproduce quickly.

  • Burrow into the substrate, ideal for bioactive setups.

• Cons:

  • Can be slow to establish in cooler enclosures.

  • May be eaten by geckos but repopulate easily.

2. Dwarf Purple Isopods (Trichorhina sp. “Dwarf Purple”)

• Pros:

  • Similar benefits to Dwarf Whites but a bit more resilient.

  • Slightly more visually interesting.

• Cons:

  • Not as widely available.

3. Powder Orange or Powder Blue Isopods (Porcellionides pruinosus)

• Pros:

  • Very active and good waste processors.

  • Tolerate a range of humidity but still do well in tropical tanks.

  • Reproduce quickly.

• Cons:

  • May be too bold or large for hatchling geckos.

  • Can climb and might irritate some sensitive reptiles.

Best Practices

• Combine with springtails for a more complete clean up crew.

• Establish isopods first before adding geckos to let the colony grow.

• Use a moist but well-ventilated substrate, like a mix of coco fibre, leaf litter, and sphagnum moss.

• Maintain humidity between 60–80% for both geckos and isopods.