Gestroi Isopod

About Gestroi

Armadillidium gestroi is a glossy black pill bug covered in bright yellow spots, one of the most eye-catching isopods in the hobby. It comes from cool, rocky hillsides in Italy, so it prefers an airy setup and does not like heat.

Gestroi care guide

• Keep most of the box dry and well ventilated, with one small moist corner.
• Always provide calcium such as cuttlebone or crushed eggshell.
• Keep below 26 °C. In Kerala, use the coolest room and keep the box away from windows and sun.
• Breeding is slow, so give the colony time and avoid disturbing it often.

At a glance

Diet

Leaf litter, lichen, wood, high calcium, protein

Enclosure

2–6 L box with good ventilation

Behaviour

Rolls into a ball. Calm and slow.

Origin

North-west Italy