Collembola spp.

Springtails

Tiny cleanup crew that eats mould and keeps closed systems healthier.

Springtails are the first fauna most beginners add. They thrive in moist substrate, consume decaying matter and mould, and ask for very little care beyond a stable humid environment.

Diet: Decaying plant matter, mould, powdered foods if needed

Care tips

Add after planting when the mix is damp, not flooded.
Keep a culture jar for top-ups.
A rice-grain pinch of powdered food is enough if populations dip.

Cautions

Do not drown cultures in standing water.
Avoid pesticides and copper treatments.