{"product_id":"cylisticus-convexus","title":"Cylisticus convexus Isopod","description":"\u003ch1\u003eCylisticus convexus Isopods for Sale UK\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCylisticus convexus stands out for its unusual rolling behaviour. It can curl into a flattened ball, but unlike many \u003cem\u003eArmadillidium\u003c\/em\u003e types the antennae and long pointed uropods usually remain visible, giving it a more angular, “curly” silhouette that many keepers find especially appealing in naturalistic setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNative across parts of Europe and Asia, with introduced populations elsewhere, this is a ground-active, cover-using species best kept in a fresh enclosure with leaf litter, bark, decaying wood, steady calcium access, and a clear moisture gradient. It is a better fit for buyers who enjoy realistic woodlouse behaviour than for anyone expecting constant open display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat makes this species interesting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRolling style:\u003c\/strong\u003e curls up differently from typical pill isopods, with visible antennae and pointed rear uropods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour:\u003c\/strong\u003e usually nocturnal, detritus-led, and more active around litter, bark edges, and covered floor space than on bare substrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnclosure use:\u003c\/strong\u003e best judged by where it settles and feeds under cover, not by daytime open-floor visibility alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSetup style:\u003c\/strong\u003e prefers a practical temperate-style enclosure with fresh air, a damp refuge, and a drier usable side rather than a wet tropical tub.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow they usually behave in the enclosure\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce settled, Cylisticus convexus often uses the upper substrate, leaf litter, bark undersides, and sheltered routes between the damper and drier parts of the enclosure. You may notice more movement in the evening or at night, and more quiet grazing under cover than obvious daytime roaming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf they spend all their time crammed into one damp patch, that usually suggests the rest of the enclosure is too dry, too bare, or too stale to use comfortably. On the other hand, if they disappear after arrival or after frequent checking, that often means they are still settling rather than failing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBefore you order\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrepare an enclosure with a generous layer of leaf litter, pieces of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cork-bark\"\u003ecork bark\u003c\/a\u003e or similar bark hides, some decaying wood, and one reliably damp refuge that does not turn the whole tub wet. The drier side should still have litter and cover so they can move without crossing exposed bare ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA little \u003ca href=\"\/products\/sphagnum-moss\"\u003esphagnum moss\u003c\/a\u003e can help hold moisture in the refuge area, but it works best as one damp pocket rather than spread across the whole enclosure. If you need a broader guide to balancing airflow, cover, and moisture, see the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/isopod-habitat-setup-guide\"\u003eisopod habitat setup guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding and calcium\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species should be fed as a detritivore first. The main diet should come from leaf litter, decomposing wood, and mature substrate, with fresh foods used only as occasional extras rather than the foundation of the colony.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eConsistent calcium access is worth providing. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cuttlebone\"\u003eCuttlebone\u003c\/a\u003e is a simple option, and some keepers also like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/limestone\"\u003elimestone\u003c\/a\u003e in setups built around long-term mineral access. If you want a wider overview of enclosure feeding, the guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/what-do-isopods-eat\"\u003ewhat do isopods eat\u003c\/a\u003e is a useful next read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho tends to enjoy Cylisticus convexus\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species tends to suit keepers who like naturalistic, observation-led colonies and appreciate small behavioural details such as bark use, litter grazing, and that distinctive curled defensive posture. It also makes sense for buyers who want something different from a typical round pill isopod without moving into a tropical collector setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf your main goal is a more openly visible, food-responsive colony, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/porcellio-scaber-ghost\"\u003ePorcellio scaber Ghost\u003c\/a\u003e is often the easier comparison. If you want a roller-type look with a more classic pillbug silhouette, an \u003ca href=\"\/products\/armadillidium-vulgare-albino-t\"\u003eArmadillidium vulgare Albino\u003c\/a\u003e comparison may also be useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eComparison and next step\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Cylisticus convexus if the appeal is the shape, the unusual curl, and a more natural litter-and-cover style of enclosure use. If you are still comparing options, you can browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all-isopods\"\u003eall isopods\u003c\/a\u003e or read the \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/isopod-species-guides\/ultimate-guide-to-isopod-colonies\"\u003eUltimate Guide to Isopod Colonies\u003c\/a\u003e for a clearer picture of how colony behaviour changes as numbers settle and grow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Isopods.co.uk","offers":[{"title":"5","offer_id":56496063906172,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":56496063938940,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"20","offer_id":56496063971708,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0936\/2423\/8460\/files\/Isopods-co-uk-Image-Coming-Soon.png?v=1775130623","url":"https:\/\/www.isopods.co.uk\/products\/cylisticus-convexus","provider":"Isopods.co.uk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}