{"product_id":"ardentiella-lava-pastel","title":"Ardentiella Lava Pastel","description":"\u003cp\u003eArdentiella 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are a little more sensitive than beginner species, so I recommend them for keepers who already have some experience keeping isopods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese isopods do best in stable conditions with good airflow and the correct humidity balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTemperature\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI keep mine between 22–27°C, which keeps them active and helps encourage breeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, but they will slow down if it gets too cold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHumidity\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArdentiella Lava Pastels enjoy high humidity, but they also benefit from a moisture gradient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn my setups I keep:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne side of the enclosure moist\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne side slightly drier\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis allows them to move around the enclosure and choose the conditions they prefer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVentilation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood ventilation is very important for this species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI always use enclosures with plenty of airflow, as stagnant air can cause problems with moulting and overall colony health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnclosure Setup\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI like to give these isopods plenty of places to explore and climb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy setups usually include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA deep natural substrate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLots of leaf litter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCork bark and wood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRotting hardwood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoss patches to help maintain humidity\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are very active and often climb bark and wood, so adding vertical structures works really well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rich natural substrate works best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI normally use a mix of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrganic soil\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDecayed wood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeaf litter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoss\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis provides both food and a stable environment for the colony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main part of their diet comes from leaf litter and decomposing wood, which should always be available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI also offer additional foods such as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFish flakes or dried shrimp for protein\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVegetable scraps\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOccasional isopod food mixes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI also keep a calcium source in the enclosure such as cuttlebone or crushed eggshell to support healthy moulting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Iso Life","offers":[{"title":"X5 £125","offer_id":54017774584137,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/6612\/3337\/files\/IMG_0032.jpg?v=1773175475","url":"https:\/\/isolife.co.uk\/products\/ardentiella-lava-pastel","provider":"Iso Life","version":"1.0","type":"link"}