The unsung heroes of mold control and decomposition — everything you need to keep a healthy springtail culture, plus the species we currently keep and sell.
Springtails (Collembola) are microscopic detritivores that quietly do the job isopods can't reach — grazing mold, fungal hyphae, biofilm, and bacteria out of tight corners, moss, and moist substrate pockets. Every bioactive enclosure benefits from a springtail culture, isopods included.
Keep substrate damp, not wet or waterlogged. Most species stall out or die off if left to dry completely, though a few (like Bylas Ant) tolerate drier conditions better than most. Always moisten with non-chlorinated water (dechlorinated, distilled, or RO) — straight tap water can wipe out a culture.
Feed sparingly — yeast, dry rice, fish flake, or a springtail-specific food mix once or twice a week. Most species take fish flake readily; if a colony turns its nose up at it, don't toss it — leave it be and they'll usually go straight for the mold that grows on it instead.
Charcoal, springtail clay, or springtail plaster all work well for standalone cultures — Folsomia candida and Ceratophysella isabellae "Lilac" both do especially well on plain charcoal. Bylas Ant and Thai Orange are the exception — they struggle on charcoal, so give those two a soil-based mix instead.
This is the springtail's real job. A healthy population intercepts mold blooms on leftover food, decaying wood, and damp substrate before they ever become a visible problem.
Keep a spare culture separate from your display enclosures. If a vivarium's springtail population ever crashes, a backup culture makes it easy to reseed rather than starting from scratch.
The usual culprits: substrate too wet (drowning risk) or too dry, no ventilation, and overfeeding leading to mite or mold problems. Most springtail issues trace back to moisture management.
Our current lineup of springtail species available for sale. Pricing and availability details coming soon.
Pricing & Availability In Progress — click any species for care info