Inverts get a bad rap. Too often they’re shoved in deli cups, cricket tubs, or cheap plastic boxes with a few holes punched in the lid. But if you’re keeping beautiful species like jumping spiders, ornamental isopods, or colourful mantids, you deserve an enclosure that does justice to their appearance—and their needs.
That’s where display enclosures come in. We’re not talking about something that just “contains” your pets. We’re talking about a setup that shows them off. A little shelf candy. A conversation starter. Something you’re proud to point out when someone asks, “What’s that?”
Why Bother With a Display Enclosure?
In the UK, invert keeping is booming. Between exotic inverts like jumping spiders (Phidippus), mantids, and the explosion in popularity of isopods, we’re seeing a wave of keepers who want their setups to look as good as they function.
Here’s what a proper invert display enclosure gives you:
- Visibility: Clear viewing panels and lighting let you actually see your inverts without disturbing them.
- Ventilation: Strategic vent placement allows airflow without sacrificing humidity—perfect for bioactive setups.
- Modularity: Stackable, uniform sizes mean your shelf or rack doesn’t look like a jumble of takeaway containers.
- Style: Let’s be honest—3D printed enclosures just look cooler than a cricket tub from the local pet shop.
Best Options from Frogfather
We’ve designed our enclosures with UK keepers in mind—balancing form, function, and affordability.
- Isopod Display Vivarium – Flat-pack, stackable, and available with matching risers. Great for smaller colonies or micro species.
- 25x30x25cm Sliding Door Vivarium – Our premium option for larger inverts like jumping spiders, beetles, and Cubaris isopods. Comes with integrated lighting and precision-fit parts.
What to Include Inside
Once you’ve got the enclosure, the fun really starts. Here’s how to deck it out:
- Substrate: For isopods and beetles, use a blend of leaf litter, rotten wood, and a moisture-holding base. For spiders or mantids, go with coco coir and a drainage layer.
- Microfauna: Springtails help keep things fresh and fungus-free.
- Hides and decor: Cork bark, moss, and small climbing props help your inverts feel secure and enrich their behaviour.
- Live plants: Try Selaginella uncinata or Begonia pteridiformis for a touch of jungle.
Real Talk: Why It Matters
If you’re keeping high-value inverts like Panda King or Rubber Ducky isopods, or flashy jumping spiders, why keep them hidden? A display enclosure makes it easy to monitor their health, keep conditions stable, and simply enjoy them day to day.
Plus, if you’re on social media—and let’s be honest, who isn’t—an attractive setup just photographs better. Hashtag #InvertGoals.
Ready to Upgrade?
Head over to our 3D printed enclosures category and grab something that suits your species and shelf.
Your inverts deserve more than a takeaway tub. They deserve a proper home—and you deserve to enjoy keeping them just a little bit more.
