Springtails (Collembola) – Bioactive Clean-Up Crew
Springtails are tiny soil-dwelling invertebrates that make an excellent addition to any terrarium or vivarium. They act as a natural clean-up crew by feeding on mold, decaying matter, and leftover food, helping to keep your enclosures fresh, balanced, and healthy. In bioactive setups, they contribute to a self-sustaining ecosystem, reducing waste and supporting the overall well-being of your plants and animals.
Available Species are listed below, as well as minimum count per culture.
Tropical Pink (TP) – A hardy and active species that thrives in a huge range of environments, from cool to hot, super humid to fairly arid. Quick reproductive rate and prefers to stay at surface. 100+
Temperate White (TEMP) – The classic springtail, great for a wide variety of enclosures. Surface dwelling and is not tolerant of excessive heat. 100+
Spanish Orange (ORG) – Brightly colored and eye-catching, ideal for tropical bioactive setups. Burrows in substrate. 100+
Florida Orange (FLO) – A vibrant and robust species well-suited for warm climates. Likes to burrow. 80+
Small Silver (SMS) - Tiny, fast, and efficient cleaners that do well in compact habitats. Subterranean and rarely on surface. 50+
Large Silver (LGS) - Bigger-bodied and highly visible, making them easy to spot in your substrate. Slow breeding and prefers upper substrate levels. 20+
Long White (LWS) – A larger species than the temperate white, reproduces at a slower pace but still offers excellent mold control. Prefers to remain at surface. 20+
Lilac (LLC) – A unique pastel-colored springtail that adds variety to your clean-up crew. Likes all levels of substrate. These do very well in wetter, high humidity conditions.100+
Yellow Albino (ALB) – the albino form of lilac which are visually striking and much easier to see, while still excellent at mold control. Can be found on top and throughout substrate. 100+
Tiny Blue (TYB) – One of the smallest species available in Canada, they are very slow to get established but take off once they are. Has no noted preference for substrate level. Does best in very high humidity situations. 50+
SPRINGTAILS
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Springtails will now be shipped on whatever substrate they were raised on, whether that is charcoal, flake soil, or clay. If at first you cannot see any or many in the culture you received, please ensure that you flood it with dechlorinated water to see if they simply hiding lower in substrate (ALL springtails float on water, usually forming "rafts" of individuals which can then be scoped out with a spoon).
