100 Dwarf White and 100 Dwarf Purple Isopods 200 Pack

Dwarf White and Dwarf Purple Isopods 200 Pack for Sale

Overview

This is the bulk-size version of our two-species dwarf isopod combo. Specifically, 100 live Dwarf White Isopods (Trichorhina tomentosa) and 100 live Dwarf Purple Isopods (Trichoniscus sp.) ship in two separate containers, one for each species.

The separate-container packing is the key feature. As a result, you can run pure single-species cultures from day one without sorting through a mixed bin. Furthermore, this removes the “run them together or separate” decision that the 40 Pack creates, since both species arrive pre-sorted and ready for whichever approach you prefer.

Therefore, this combo suits bulk culture builders, professional breeders, multi-enclosure refresh orders, and keepers seeding very large bioactive vivariums.

What This 200 Pack Includes

• 100 Dwarf White Isopods. Live Trichorhina tomentosa, the parthenogenetic cleanup-crew species described in 1893 from the Galápagos Islands. Tiny (1 to 5 mm), substrate-bound, and fast-breeding.
• 100 Dwarf Purple Isopods. Live Trichoniscus sp. “Dwarf Purple,” a small substrate-bound species with subtle purple, lavender, or plum tones. Sexually reproducing with a moderate buildout pace.
• 200 total isopods across both species.
• Two separate containers (one per species), ready to use as-is or merge as preferred.
• No springtails included. This is the isopod-only bulk version.

Why Pack Them Separately?

The 40 Pack mixes both species in one container, which works for keepers running them together. However, separating them later is difficult because of similar size and substrate behavior. As a result, the smaller pack’s “run together or separate” decision becomes hard to reverse once made.

Furthermore, the 200 Pack solves this by handling the sorting in advance. Specifically, customers who want pure single-species cultures (for breeding lines, future sales, or different enclosures) can simply use each container as a separate culture. Alternatively, customers who want both species in one enclosure can combine them on arrival. Therefore, the separate-container packing gives more flexibility for serious culture builders.

Why a 200 Pack Instead of a 40 Pack?

Three main reasons keepers upgrade to the bulk pack:

• Larger enclosures need more seed. First, 40 isopods is a sensible seeder for a small to medium bioactive enclosure. However, 40-gallon-plus vivariums establish faster with more starter material. As a result, the 200 Pack populates large enclosures meaningfully faster.
• Multiple-bin keepers save on shipping. Next, keepers maintaining several bioactive setups would otherwise pay multiple shipping fees for separate orders. Therefore, consolidating into one 200 Pack reduces total live-animal shipping costs.
• Breeders and culture builders. Finally, the separate-container packing makes this pack workable for breeders who want to maintain pure single-species lines for future production or sales. Accordingly, this is the only bulk-size combo set up for that use.

Honest Note on Visibility

Both species in this pack are substrate-bound. Specifically, you will see them when you lift bark or stir leaf litter, but most of the colony stays buried during normal observation. As a result, even with 200 isopods, the colony does not become a visible display crew.

Therefore, customers expecting to watch their cleanup crew working should consider a Powder Orange combo or Powder Blue combo instead. Those Powder species are surface-active and visible during the day.

How Dwarf White and Dwarf Purple Compare

The two species occupy similar substrate layers but with meaningful differences:

• Reproduction. First, Dwarf White is parthenogenetic, meaning every adult female reproduces without males. However, Dwarf Purple reproduces sexually. As a result, Dwarf White typically builds population faster from any starter group.
• Temperature. Next, Dwarf White prefers warmer conditions (70 to 85°F). Dwarf Purple prefers slightly cooler (68 to 78°F). Therefore, separate-container cultures can be kept at slightly different temperatures if needed.
• Color. Finally, Dwarf White is plain pale white. Dwarf Purple shows subtle purple tones on close inspection. Accordingly, the two species are visually distinct enough to identify in a mixed bin.

Setting Up the Combo

The setup depends on whether you run both species together or separately. Specifically, both options work, and the choice depends on your goals.

Option 1: One Mixed Enclosure

Combine both containers into a single prepared enclosure with moist substrate, deep leaf litter, bark cover, and calcium. As a result, the two species coexist and work the substrate together. This is the simpler approach, ideal for keepers seeding a single large bioactive vivarium.

Option 2: Two Separate Cultures

Keep each container as the start of a dedicated single-species culture. Specifically, transfer each species into its own prepared bin with appropriate substrate, leaf litter, and bark. Therefore, you maintain pure breeding lines for future use, sales, or seeding multiple enclosures with specific species over time.

Substrate and Layout

For either setup, use a moisture-retaining substrate like coconut fiber blended with flake soil or decayed hardwood. Then top with a generous layer of leaf litter and several pieces of cork bark. In addition, add a moist sphagnum moss pocket. Both species use moss pockets heavily during establishment.

Moisture

Aim for 70 to 90% humidity with one reliably wet zone. Specifically, the moist side should always be damp with sphagnum moss or leaf litter. However, never let the enclosure fully dry out. Both species handle drying poorly.

Temperature

Aim for 70 to 80°F as a safe overlap range for both species. Furthermore, if you run two separate cultures, Dwarf White can lean warmer (up to 85°F) while Dwarf Purple can lean cooler (68 to 78°F). Therefore, the separate-container approach allows species-optimized temperatures.

Ventilation

Light ventilation works best. Specifically, sealed bins crash with mite blooms in the high humidity both species need. However, heavy ventilation dries small-bodied isopods out faster. Therefore, a vented lid with small slots or fine mesh strikes the right balance.

Food

Leaf litter and decaying hardwood (avoid pine and cedar) feed both species as a base diet. Additionally, add small vegetable scraps. For protein, use shrimp meal, fish flakes, insect frass, or nutritional yeast in small amounts. Alternatively, a prepared diet like TC INSECTS Isopod Food simplifies feeding for a bulk colony and adds calcium support.

Releasing the Combo

Open both containers indoors as soon as possible after delivery. Then transfer the shipping material directly into the prepared enclosure(s). Specifically, small mancae often hide in the packing, so check carefully before discarding anything. Furthermore, place the material near the moist side. After that, leave the enclosure mostly undisturbed for the first one to two weeks.

Best For

• Large bioactive vivariums (40+ gallons) needing meaningful starter biomass
• Professional breeders maintaining pure single-species lines
• Multi-enclosure refresh orders consolidating into one shipment
• Bulk culture builders seeding multiple bins simultaneously
• Established bioactive setups where the original cleanup crew has thinned out

Not Best For

• First-time bioactive builders, who do better with the smaller 40 Pack or springtail-inclusive combos
• Small enclosures (under 10 gallons), where 200 isopods is more starter material than needed
• Dry reptile enclosures (leopard gecko, bearded dragon, hognose), where neither species will persist long-term
• Display-focused setups where the keeper wants a visible cleanup crew
• Keepers who need springtails too, since this combo does not include any (consider the springtail-inclusive single-species combos)
• Sealed, no-ventilation tubs, which crash humid mixed cultures with mites faster than ventilated setups

Recommended Add-Ons

• TC INSECTS Isopod Food for a calcium-supported diet that helps both species establish faster at scale
• TC INSECTS Assorted Hardwood Leaf Litter for natural food, hiding cover, and humidity support across both cultures
• TC INSECTS Ultra Habitat Kit for keepers who do not already have a prepared humid enclosure ready
• TC Calcium Ultra Fine for molting support across both populations
• Springtails if you do not already have them running, since this combo does not include any

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the two species packed in separate containers?

So you can run pure single-species cultures without any sorting work on arrival. Specifically, the 40 Pack mixes both species in one container, which makes future separation difficult. However, the 200 Pack handles that decision in advance by shipping them separately. Therefore, you can keep them as two cultures or merge them into one enclosure based on your preference.

How is this different from the 40 Pack?

Three main differences. First, the count: 200 total isopods vs 40 total. Next, the packing: two separate containers (one per species) vs one mixed container. Finally, the price point: $98.88 vs $29.99. Therefore, choose the 200 Pack for larger enclosures, multi-bin refresh, or breeding setups. Choose the 40 Pack for first-time builds or smaller enclosures.

Why does this combo not include springtails?

This is the isopod-only bulk version. Specifically, it targets keepers who already have springtails running or who culture them separately. As a result, the price stays lower than springtail-inclusive combos at this volume. Furthermore, if you need springtails too, consider the Dwarf White + Springtail combo or Dwarf Purple + Springtail combo, or add a separate springtail culture to this order.

Can I split this pack between multiple enclosures?

Yes, that is one of the main use cases. Specifically, the separate-container packing makes it simple to divide the 100 Dwarf Whites between two or three enclosures, and do the same with the 100 Dwarf Purple. Therefore, this pack works well for keepers seeding multiple bioactive setups simultaneously.

How long until the cultures are self-sustaining?

Faster than smaller starter packs because the higher count compresses the establishment phase. Generally, the parthenogenetic Dwarf Whites show clear population growth within the first month. Furthermore, Dwarf Purple takes a few months for visible reproduction due to slower sexual breeding. As a result, both cultures should be visibly working within two to three months under stable conditions.

Can this combo go in a dry reptile enclosure?

Not well. Specifically, both species need 70 to 90% humidity with a stable moist retreat. Dry desert reptile setups cannot sustain that even with a humid hide. Therefore, drier reptile setups should use a Powder combo or a Niambia capensis (African Cape) culture instead.

Learn More About Bioactive Cleanup Crews

The references below cover background information for bioactive keepers. Each source comes from an academic, museum, or government site rather than a competing retailer.

• World Register of Marine Species: Trichorhina tomentosa. Scientific taxonomy reference for the Dwarf White species. Useful for confirming the species identification and seeing how it fits within the Platyarthridae family.
• British Myriapod and Isopod Group: Woodlice. Species reference site covering a wide range of terrestrial isopods, including the Trichoniscus genus that contains Dwarf Purple. Useful for understanding why small humid-loving woodlice prefer leaf-littered microhabitats.
• USDA NRCS: Soil Biology and the Role of Decomposers. Covers how detritivores like isopods break down organic matter in soil ecosystems. Useful for understanding why running two species at bulk count can improve cleanup efficiency in larger bioactive setups.