{"product_id":"spherillo-sp-hainan-black-isopod","title":"Spherillo sp. \"Hainan Black\" Isopod","description":"\u003ch1\u003eSpherillo sp. \"Hainan Black\" Isopods for Sale UK\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSpherillo sp. \"Hainan Black\" is a compact dark roller isopod associated in the hobby with Hainan, China. Instead of the brighter or more patterned look seen in many tropical isopods, Hainan Black is valued for its deep charcoal to near-black colour, rounded body shape, and understated appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLike other Spherillo, this is a conglobating roller that can tuck into a ball when disturbed. It is a relatively small species, with hobby references commonly placing adults at around 12–15 mm, so the appeal comes more from colour, shape, and colony behaviour than from giant size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat makes Hainan Black different\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour:\u003c\/strong\u003e deep charcoal to near-black tones give this species a clean, unusually dark appearance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShape:\u003c\/strong\u003e compact, rounded Spherillo form with the ability to roll up when disturbed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e traded in the hobby as a Hainan, China Spherillo.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay style:\u003c\/strong\u003e best for keepers who enjoy checking bark, litter edges, and shaded feeding areas rather than expecting constant open activity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow they use the enclosure\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpect Hainan Black to spend much of its time underneath bark, leaf litter, and other close cover, especially during the brighter parts of the day. Once settled, animals may appear around feeding spots, shaded edges, and the upper layers of the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA good enclosure should give them choices rather than one uniform condition. Keep a dependable damp refuge while allowing the rest of the enclosure to remain slightly drier but still covered. If the entire colony stays compressed into one wet corner, review ventilation, moisture distribution, and the amount of usable surface cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSetup that suits Spherillo\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart with a mature, organic substrate and cover much of the surface with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/leaf-litter\"\u003eleaf litter\u003c\/a\u003e. Add bark or cork to create tight shaded spaces and incorporate \u003ca href=\"\/products\/rot-wood\"\u003erot wood\u003c\/a\u003e as both structure and a long-term grazing resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA patch of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/sphagnum-moss\"\u003esphagnum moss\u003c\/a\u003e works well for maintaining the damp refuge without soaking the whole enclosure. Hainan Black is tropical-leaning, but that does not mean stagnant or waterlogged: airflow should remain good and the enclosure should offer a clear moisture gradient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are building the enclosure from scratch, the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/isopod-habitat-setup-guide\"\u003eisopod habitat setup guide\u003c\/a\u003e covers the core balance of substrate, cover, moisture, and ventilation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding priorities\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe staple diet should come from the enclosure itself: decomposing leaf litter, rotting hardwood, and a biologically active substrate. Supplemental foods can be offered in small amounts, but they should support rather than replace the natural detritus base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKeep a consistent calcium source available. A piece of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/limestone\"\u003elimestone\u003c\/a\u003e provides a simple long-term mineral option. For a broader overview of supplemental foods and feeding frequency, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/what-do-isopods-eat\"\u003ewhat do isopods eat\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBefore you order\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHave a mature enclosure ready before the colony arrives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide a reliable damp refuge without keeping the entire tub wet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse plenty of leaf litter and close-fitting hides.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintain good ventilation alongside tropical-style moisture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep calcium and decaying hardwood available as long-term resources.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho tends to enjoy Hainan Black most\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species makes sense for collectors looking for something visually different from brightly coloured Cubaris-style animals. The almost monochrome appearance is distinctive in its own way, and the compact rolling form gives it a very different character from larger, flatter Porcellio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt may be less suitable for buyers wanting a large species that spends all day in the open. Hainan Black is better appreciated as a covered, tropical roller whose activity becomes easier to read once the colony is established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eIf you are comparing options\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor another Spherillo with a completely different visual style, compare it with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/spherillo-orange-soda\"\u003eSpherillo \"Orange Soda\"\u003c\/a\u003e. You can also browse the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-isopods\"\u003etropical isopods\u003c\/a\u003e collection for other humid-leaning species. For longer-term colony stability, the \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/isopod-care-husbandry\/isopod-husbandry-guide-for-healthy-colonies\"\u003eisopod husbandry guide for healthy colonies\u003c\/a\u003e is also useful.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"isopods.co.uk","offers":[{"title":"5","offer_id":57502157603196,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"10+1","offer_id":57502157635964,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"20+2","offer_id":57502157668732,"sku":null,"price":170.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0936\/2423\/8460\/files\/Spherillo-Hainan-Black.jpg?v=1790339787","url":"https:\/\/www.isopods.co.uk\/products\/spherillo-sp-hainan-black-isopod","provider":"Isopods.co.uk","version":"1.0","type":"link"}