White springtail (Folsomia candida)

Short answers

White springtail: How big does the enclosure need to be?

A breeding container from ~0.5–1 l (classically a plastic box, e.g. 13×18 cm); in a terrarium as a clean-up crew with no tank of its own.

White springtail: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–24 °C (optimum ~20–22 °C), at night not critical, ~16–20 °C.

White springtail: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: an individual lives ~3–4 months; the colony continues and sustains itself.

White springtail: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

White springtail: Can several be kept together?

Colony-forming and suitable for groups – keep them as a mass culture; no cannibalism, and dense populations are normal.

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C (optimum ~20–22 °C)

Night temperature

not critical, ~16–20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

high, permanently humid (~80–100 %), but no waterlogging

UVB

—

Enclosure

Minimum size

a breeding container from ~0.5–1 l (classically a plastic box, e.g. 13×18 cm); in a terrarium as a clean-up crew with no tank of its own

Substrate

Damp coco humus or forest soil with activated charcoal; alternatively a pure charcoal or plaster culture with a film of water

Feeding

Food

Dried yeast or yeast flakes, fish flakes, collembola food, mould and biofilm

Feeding interval

small amounts ~1×/week, only as much as is used up quickly (to avoid mould)

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 1.5–3 mm (white, eyeless)

Life expectancy

an individual lives ~3–4 months; the colony continues and sustains itself

Origin

Cosmopolitan and holarctic (cool temperate); the standard feeder and culture species in the terrarium and aquarium hobby

Protection status

No protected status; not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Colony-forming and suitable for groups – keep them as a mass culture; no cannibalism, and dense populations are normal

Notes

It reproduces parthenogenetically (purely female, with no males needed) → very fast, simple mass culture. Used as live food (for young frogs and small reptiles and amphibians) and as a clean-up crew. A little cooler and more cold-tolerant than tropical springtails. Mistakes: waterlogging and rot, too much food (mould), and drying out.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Orange springtail (Bilobella braunerae) – Beginner
• Pink springtail (Sinella curviseta) – Beginner
• Silver springtail (Tomocerus sp.) – Beginner
• Tropical springtail (Collembola sp.) – Beginner
• African giant mantis (Sphodromantis lineola) – Beginner
• African giant mantis (Sphodromantis viridis) – Beginner
• Giant African millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) – Beginner
• Dubia roach (Blaptica dubia) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep White springtail (Folsomia candida) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (a breeding container from ~0.5–1 l (classically a plastic box, e.g. 13×18 cm); in a terrarium as a clean-up crew with no tank of its own), substrate (Damp coco humus or forest soil with activated charcoal; alternatively a pure charcoal or plaster culture with a film of water), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.