Ardentiella Lava Pastel

Ardentiella sp. “Lava Pastel” are a stunning and active species that really stand out in any collection. Their mix of soft pastel colouring with darker lava-style markings makes them a very unique isopod. In my experience they are very active and enjoy climbing, so they are a great species to watch once the colony settles in.

They are a little more sensitive than beginner species, so I recommend them for keepers who already have some experience keeping isopods.

Difficulty

Advanced

These isopods do best in stable conditions with good airflow and the correct humidity balance.

Temperature

I keep mine between 22–27°C, which keeps them active and helps encourage breeding.

They can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, but they will slow down if it gets too cold.

Humidity

Ardentiella Lava Pastels enjoy high humidity, but they also benefit from a moisture gradient.

In my setups I keep:

One side of the enclosure moist

One side slightly drier

This allows them to move around the enclosure and choose the conditions they prefer.

Ventilation

Good ventilation is very important for this species.

I always use enclosures with plenty of airflow, as stagnant air can cause problems with moulting and overall colony health.

Enclosure Setup

I like to give these isopods plenty of places to explore and climb.

My setups usually include:

A deep natural substrate

Lots of leaf litter

Cork bark and wood

Rotting hardwood

Moss patches to help maintain humidity

They are very active and often climb bark and wood, so adding vertical structures works really well.

Substrate

A rich natural substrate works best.

I normally use a mix of:

Organic soil

Decayed wood

Leaf litter

Moss

This provides both food and a stable environment for the colony.

Diet

The main part of their diet comes from leaf litter and decomposing wood, which should always be available.

I also offer additional foods such as:

Fish flakes or dried shrimp for protein

Vegetable scraps

Occasional isopod food mixes

I also keep a calcium source in the enclosure such as cuttlebone or crushed eggshell to support healthy moulting.