I N C E P T I O N A I
  1. Pet supplies
  2. Reptiles amphibians
  3. Feeding diet supplements
  4. Frozen prey
  5. Frozen invertebrates
  6. Frozen amphipods isopods

Top 5 Frozen Amphipods and Isopods for Reptiles & Amphibians in Canada — 2025 Expert Guide to Nutrition, Enrichment, and Sourcing

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Frozen amphipods and isopods are small, naturalistic crustacean prey that provide high-fiber, chitin-rich nutrition and realistic foraging stimuli for many reptiles and amphibians. In captive care these frozen foods are valued for gut-content variety, enrichment, and predictable portioning. Canadian hobbyists and breeders increasingly prefer frozen options because they combine dietary diversity with convenience: frozen prey can be stocked, portioned, and thawed on demand, reduce the risk of introducing live-pest parasites, and offer consistent texture and nutrient delivery. Market preferences in Canada emphasize transparent sourcing, cold-chain reliability for distribution across provinces, proper portion sizes for small species (newts, juvenile salamanders, aquatic frogs, and small lizards), and formulations that require minimal preparation while supporting overall digestive health and natural feeding behavior.

Quick Menu

1. Best Trusted Mysis

2. Best Amphipod (Gammarus) Source

3. Best Budget Brine for Juveniles

4. Best Freshwater Mysis Option

5. Best Premium Mixed Frozen Blend

1
BEST TRUSTED MYSIS

Hikari Bio-Pure Frozen Mysis Shrimp

Hikari Bio-Pure Frozen Mysis Shrimp

Hikari Bio-Pure Frozen Mysis Shrimp is a premium, hygienically processed mysis product prized for consistent size and a high protein/fat profile, making it a strong choice as a nutritious frozen crustacean feed for reptiles and amphibians. Compared with others on this list it commands a higher price but delivers lower bacterial load and a more stable nutrient profile, which is a technical advantage for sensitive amphibians or animals that require a reliable substitute when frozen amphipods/isopods are unavailable.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • Protein punch

  • Omega-rich

  • Protein punch

  • Omega-rich

Review Summary

92%

"Generally rated very highly for consistent quality and strong acceptance by shrimp- and fish-eaters; users praise its texture and low clouding, with the main downsides being higher price and occasional packaging thawing during shipping."

  • Mysis magic

  • High-protein frozen mysis shrimp commonly used for regular feedings.

  • Mysis magic

  • High-protein frozen mysis shrimp commonly used for regular feedings.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Hikari Bio-Pure Frozen Mysis Shrimp is a premium, hygienically processed mysis product prized for consistent size and a high protein/fat profile, making it a strong choice as a nutritious frozen crustacean feed for reptiles and amphibians. Compared with others on this list it commands a higher price but delivers lower bacterial load and a more stable nutrient profile, which is a technical advantage for sensitive amphibians or animals that require a reliable substitute when frozen amphipods/isopods are unavailable.

  • Protein punch

  • Omega-rich

  • Mysis magic

  • High-protein frozen mysis shrimp commonly used for regular feedings.

  • Individually quick-frozen to preserve texture and nutritional quality.

  • Protein punch

  • Omega-rich

  • Mysis magic

  • High-protein frozen mysis shrimp commonly used for regular feedings.

  • Individually quick-frozen to preserve texture and nutritional quality.

Order Now

$6-18 CAD

2
BEST AMPHIPOD (GAMMARUS) SOURCE

San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Gammarus Shrimp

San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Gammarus Shrimp

San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Gammarus is the only true amphipod here, offering the closest nutritional and structural match to wild amphipods and isopods for terrestrial and semi-aquatic reptiles and amphibians. It provides a chitin-rich exoskeleton and comparatively higher natural calcium, making it the best purpose-fit on the list even if its per-ounce cost can be higher than generic mysis or brine mixes.

4.3
★★★★☆
  • Gammarus goodness

  • Crunchy appeal

  • Gammarus goodness

  • Crunchy appeal

Review Summary

85%

"Popular as a true amphipod option that many reptiles and amphibians eagerly eat; reviewers like its natural composition but note occasional size variability and some thaw/smell complaints on arrival."

  • Bay fresh

  • Contains whole Gammarus amphipods favored by many amphibians and reptiles.

  • Bay fresh

  • Contains whole Gammarus amphipods favored by many amphibians and reptiles.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Gammarus is the only true amphipod here, offering the closest nutritional and structural match to wild amphipods and isopods for terrestrial and semi-aquatic reptiles and amphibians. It provides a chitin-rich exoskeleton and comparatively higher natural calcium, making it the best purpose-fit on the list even if its per-ounce cost can be higher than generic mysis or brine mixes.

  • Gammarus goodness

  • Crunchy appeal

  • Bay fresh

  • Contains whole Gammarus amphipods favored by many amphibians and reptiles.

  • Larger body size provides a more natural prey item for medium to large predators.

  • Gammarus goodness

  • Crunchy appeal

  • Bay fresh

  • Contains whole Gammarus amphipods favored by many amphibians and reptiles.

  • Larger body size provides a more natural prey item for medium to large predators.

Order Now

$10-25 CAD

3
BEST BUDGET BRINE FOR JUVENILES

Omega One Frozen Brine Shrimp

Omega One Frozen Brine Shrimp

Omega One Frozen Brine Shrimp is a widely available, budget-friendly option with small particle size ideal for juvenile amphibians and small reptiles; its low cost per feeding stands out versus mysis and gammarus. While economical for frequent feedings, it is generally lower in chitin and calcium, so it serves better as a supplemental staple rather than a primary amphipod/isopod replacement.

4.4
★★★★☆
  • Tiny nutrition

  • Quick thaw

  • Tiny nutrition

  • Quick thaw

Review Summary

87%

"Consistently reliable frozen brine shrimp that feeds well to small reptiles, amphibians and fish; reviewers appreciate its convenience and acceptance though some say it’s less nutrient-dense than mysis or larger crustaceans."

  • Brine zing

  • Small particle size ideal for hatchlings, larval salamanders, and small frogs.

  • Brine zing

  • Small particle size ideal for hatchlings, larval salamanders, and small frogs.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Skill Development & Mastery

Omega One Frozen Brine Shrimp is a widely available, budget-friendly option with small particle size ideal for juvenile amphibians and small reptiles; its low cost per feeding stands out versus mysis and gammarus. While economical for frequent feedings, it is generally lower in chitin and calcium, so it serves better as a supplemental staple rather than a primary amphipod/isopod replacement.

  • Tiny nutrition

  • Quick thaw

  • Brine zing

  • Small particle size ideal for hatchlings, larval salamanders, and small frogs.

  • Widely available and typically sold in convenient portion tubs.

  • Tiny nutrition

  • Quick thaw

  • Brine zing

  • Small particle size ideal for hatchlings, larval salamanders, and small frogs.

  • Widely available and typically sold in convenient portion tubs.

Order Now

$5-15 CAD

4
BEST FRESHWATER MYSIS OPTION

PE Mysis Frozen Freshwater Shrimp

PE Mysis Frozen Freshwater Shrimp

PE Mysis Frozen Freshwater Shrimp presents a mid-range option with larger, meatier individuals than brine shrimp and typically undercuts premium brands on price, making it a practical compromise for keepers seeking amphipod-like nutrition without premium cost. It shares many processing advantages with higher-end mysis products but is positioned as the value choice for occasional amphipod/isopod substitution.

4.4
★★★★☆
  • Freshwater flavor

  • Energy bites

  • Freshwater flavor

  • Energy bites

Review Summary

88%

"Viewed as a solid mysis-style freshwater shrimp offering with good feeding response and minimal mess; users report generally consistent quality but occasional variability in piece size and packaging."

  • Reptile favorite

  • Freshwater mysis formulated for aquatic amphibians and semi-aquatic reptiles.

  • Reptile favorite

  • Freshwater mysis formulated for aquatic amphibians and semi-aquatic reptiles.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

PE Mysis Frozen Freshwater Shrimp presents a mid-range option with larger, meatier individuals than brine shrimp and typically undercuts premium brands on price, making it a practical compromise for keepers seeking amphipod-like nutrition without premium cost. It shares many processing advantages with higher-end mysis products but is positioned as the value choice for occasional amphipod/isopod substitution.

  • Freshwater flavor

  • Energy bites

  • Reptile favorite

  • Freshwater mysis formulated for aquatic amphibians and semi-aquatic reptiles.

  • Dense, nutrient-rich shrimp that encourage natural hunting behaviors.

  • Freshwater flavor

  • Energy bites

  • Reptile favorite

  • Freshwater mysis formulated for aquatic amphibians and semi-aquatic reptiles.

  • Dense, nutrient-rich shrimp that encourage natural hunting behaviors.

Order Now

$6-20 CAD

5
BEST PREMIUM MIXED FROZEN BLEND

LRS Reef Frenzy Frozen Food

LRS Reef Frenzy Frozen Food

LRS Reef Frenzy Frozen Food is a mixed crustacean blend sold in bulk formats that lower the per-serving cost, offering convenience for breeders or heavy feeders; the mix often includes mysis and other shrimp varieties to deliver broad nutrient coverage. Financially it is appealing for high-volume feeding schedules, though its species-mix means it delivers less species-specific chitin/calcium content than true frozen amphipods or isopods.

4.1
★★★★☆
  • Diverse bites

  • Nutrient dense

  • Diverse bites

  • Nutrient dense

Review Summary

80%

"Well-liked by buyers for attracting picky marine predators and reef fish, but reviews are more mixed due to meltwater clouding, variable particle sizes and a relatively high price point."

  • Reef rich

  • Premium blend of small crustaceans designed to attract picky eaters.

  • Reef rich

  • Premium blend of small crustaceans designed to attract picky eaters.

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

LRS Reef Frenzy Frozen Food is a mixed crustacean blend sold in bulk formats that lower the per-serving cost, offering convenience for breeders or heavy feeders; the mix often includes mysis and other shrimp varieties to deliver broad nutrient coverage. Financially it is appealing for high-volume feeding schedules, though its species-mix means it delivers less species-specific chitin/calcium content than true frozen amphipods or isopods.

  • Diverse bites

  • Nutrient dense

  • Reef rich

  • Premium blend of small crustaceans designed to attract picky eaters.

  • Offers a variety of textures and sizes to mimic natural prey diversity.

  • Diverse bites

  • Nutrient dense

  • Reef rich

  • Premium blend of small crustaceans designed to attract picky eaters.

  • Offers a variety of textures and sizes to mimic natural prey diversity.

Order Now

$15-40 CAD

What the Research and Practice Say About Frozen Crustacean Prey

Scientific literature and husbandry best practices converge on several practical benefits and caveats for using frozen amphipods, isopods, and similar crustaceans in reptile and amphibian diets. Research into captive diets highlights the value of dietary variety, the role of chitin and fiber in gut motility, and the importance of nutrient supplementation when feeding largely frozen or processed prey. Field and lab studies also show that offering prey with natural textures and movement patterns supports species-appropriate feeding responses and enrichment. At the same time, controlled studies and veterinary guidance emphasize monitoring fatty acid and micronutrient profiles, since freezing can alter some labile vitamins and fatty acids. Overall, frozen crustaceans are a valuable component of balanced feeding programs when used with mindful supplementation and rotation.

Parasite and pathogen reduction: Freezing at proper temperatures greatly reduces many live-parasite risks compared with some wild-caught live prey, improving safety for captive animals.

Chitin and digestive health: Chitin-rich prey items can support gut motility and natural abrasion that helps with digestion, especially in detritivore-leaning species.

Nutrient variability: Freezing preserves proteins and most minerals well, but some vitamins and omega fatty acids can degrade over time; routine supplementation or rotation with vitamin-rich prey mitigates deficiencies.

Behavioral enrichment: Offering a variety of prey textures and sinking/floating characteristics encourages natural foraging behavior, which has measurable welfare benefits.

Evidence-informed husbandry: Veterinary and herpetology guidelines advise using frozen prey as part of a diverse diet and recommend calcium and multivitamin dusting or brief gut-loading protocols where applicable.

In the Canadian context, these five frozen crustacean options cover the common needs of keepers looking for naturalistic, high-fiber prey: Hikari Bio-Pure Frozen Mysis Shrimp, San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Gammarus Shrimp, Omega One Frozen Brine Shrimp, PE Mysis Frozen Freshwater Shrimp, and LRS Reef Frenzy Frozen Food. Each product suits different feeding styles and species sizes, but for an overall combination of availability in Canada, nutrient consistency, and minimal prep time, Hikari Bio-Pure Frozen Mysis Shrimp is the best single choice among the list. We hope you found what you were looking for — if you want to refine by species, size, or feeding schedule, or expand the search to live or gut-loaded alternatives, use the search to narrow results or compare product specifications.

Discover More
  • Frozen Krill for Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Frozen Shrimp for Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Frozen Insect Blends for Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Frozen Gutloaded Insects for Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Frozen Larval Invertebrates for Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Frozen Single Serve Trays for Reptiles and Amphibians

Copyright © 2025 InceptionAi Inc.

Trademark Policy

Articles

About Us

Contact Us

Careers

Sitemap