Tropical Pink Springtail Quick Reference | Parameter | Details | |---|---| | Species | Coecobrya sp. "Tropical Pink" | | Size | Approximately 3 mm adult | | Temperature | 72 to 80°F (22 to 27°C) | | Humidity | 60 to 80% | | Substrate | Clay, charcoal, soil, or ABG mix | | Diet | Brewer's yeast, fish flakes, rice grains, decomposing organic matter | | Reproduction | Very fast in warm, humid conditions | | Care Level | Beginner | | Primary Use | Bioactive cleanup crew, mold control, supplemental feeder for small reptiles and amphibians |
Written by the team at Creature Cache, based on firsthand culturing experience in Southern California. Updated 2026.
Springtails are tiny arthropods in the class Collembola that play a critical role in bioactive terrariums, vivariums, and isopod enclosures. They eat mold, fungal spores, decaying organic matter, and microscopic debris that isopods and other cleanup crew members miss. If isopods are the heavy lifters in a bioactive setup, springtails are the detail crew.
At Creature Cache we include Tropical Pink springtails (Coecobrya sp.) with every isopod setup we build, and we give a free 16oz springtail culture with every first order. They are that essential.
This guide covers everything you need to know to culture springtails at home, maintain a healthy population, and use them effectively in bioactive enclosures.
What Are Springtails
Springtails are not insects. They are hexapods in the class Collembola, closely related to insects but classified separately. They are among the most abundant arthropods on earth, found in virtually every terrestrial habitat from tropical forests to arctic tundra.
Most springtails are between 1 and 3 mm long. They get their name from a forked structure called a furcula tucked under their abdomen, which they can release to launch themselves into the air when disturbed. This is how they "spring" away from threats.
In the hobby, springtails are primarily used as a bioactive cleanup crew and as supplemental feeders for small amphibians and reptiles like dart frogs.
Tropical Pink Springtails (Coecobrya sp.)
This is the species we breed and sell at Creature Cache. Tropical Pink springtails (Coecobrya sp., previously classified as Sinella curviseta) are one of the most popular springtail species in the bioactive hobby.
They have a subtle pinkish hue that distinguishes them from the more common temperate white springtails (Folsomia candida). They are slightly larger than temperate whites at roughly 3 mm adult size, and they tend to be more surface active, meaning you will actually see them moving around on the substrate rather than staying buried.
Tropical Pinks prefer warm, humid conditions (72 to 80°F, 60 to 80% humidity) which makes them a perfect match for tropical isopod species like Durian Spikys, Dairy Cows, and most Cubaris species. They reproduce quickly when conditions are right and can colonize a new enclosure within a few weeks.
Tropical Pink vs Temperate White Springtails
Both species work well as cleanup crew. The main differences:
Tropical Pinks thrive in warm humid environments (72 to 80°F). Temperate Whites prefer cooler conditions (60 to 75°F). Tropical Pinks are more surface active and visible. Temperate Whites tend to stay buried in substrate. Tropical Pinks reproduce faster in warm setups. Temperate Whites are hardier in cooler climates. For most tropical bioactive setups and isopod enclosures, Tropical Pinks are the better choice.
How to Set Up a Springtail Culture
You have several substrate options for culturing springtails. Each has tradeoffs.
Clay Substrate (Most Common Method)
Fill a 16 to 32 oz deli cup or small plastic container with a half inch to one inch layer of clay pellets (LECA or similar). Add enough water so the clay is partially submerged but not floating. The water level should sit just below the top of the clay layer. The clay wicks moisture to the surface where the springtails live.
This method is popular because it is easy to harvest. When you need springtails for an enclosure, just flood the container with water. The springtails float to the surface and you can pour them directly into your setup.
Charcoal Substrate
Same concept as clay but with horticultural charcoal. Springtails seem to thrive particularly well on charcoal. Use the same water level approach. Charcoal is lightweight so be careful not to overfill with water or the pieces will float.
Soil or ABG Mix
You can culture springtails directly on ABG substrate or a soil based mix. This is less common for standalone cultures because harvesting is harder (you cannot flood and pour), but it works well if you are seeding springtails directly into an isopod enclosure or terrarium.
We use ABG substrate for our Tropical Pink cultures because it mimics the conditions they will live in once transferred to an isopod or bioactive setup. For more details on our substrate mix, see our ABG Substrate Guide.
Container and Ventilation
Use a plastic container with a lid. Poke a few small holes in the lid for airflow, or leave the lid slightly cracked. Springtails need humidity but they also need some ventilation to prevent CO2 buildup, which can crash a culture.
Keep the lid on at all times. Springtails are small enough to escape through any gap, and fruit flies or mites can get in if the container is left open.
Feeding Springtails
Springtails eat decomposing organic matter, mold, fungal spores, and bacteria. In a standalone culture, you need to provide food since there is not enough naturally decomposing material in a small container.
Best foods for springtails: brewer's yeast (the most popular option), fish flakes, dry rice grains, and powdered bee pollen.
Sprinkle a tiny amount of food on the substrate surface every 3 to 5 days. A pinch of brewer's yeast the size of a pea is enough for a small culture. The springtails will swarm it within hours.
The most important rule: do not overfeed. Excess food in a humid container molds rapidly, and while springtails eat mold, too much decomposing food produces carbon dioxide. High CO2 levels in a sealed container can crash your entire springtail culture overnight. Feed small amounts frequently rather than large amounts infrequently.
If you see food sitting untouched for more than a few days, you are feeding too much. If the springtails devour everything within 24 hours, you can increase the amount slightly.
Temperature and Humidity
Tropical Pink springtails do best between 72 and 80°F (22 to 27°C). They can tolerate brief dips into the mid 60s but sustained cold will slow reproduction significantly.
Keep humidity high. The substrate should always be moist and there should be visible condensation on the walls of the container. If the culture is drying out, add water to the substrate (not directly on the springtails). Mist the sides of the container if needed.
Do not place springtail cultures in direct sunlight. Heat from direct sun can cook a culture fast. A shelf at room temperature away from windows is ideal.
Harvesting Springtails
Flood and Pour Method (Clay or Charcoal Cultures)
Add water to the container until the springtails float to the surface. Wait a minute for them to collect on the water surface, then pour the water (and springtails) directly into your target enclosure. Top off the culture container with fresh dechlorinated water afterward.
This is the easiest and most common harvesting method.
Spoon Method (Soil or ABG Cultures)
If your culture is on soil or ABG substrate, use a small spoon to scoop a portion of the substrate along with the springtails and transfer it directly into your enclosure. This is less precise but works fine for seeding new setups.
How Many to Add
For a standard isopod enclosure or small terrarium, one 16 oz springtail culture is enough to seed the setup. The springtails will reproduce and fill the space within a few weeks if conditions are right.
For larger enclosures (20 gallon and above), use a full 32 oz culture or multiple smaller additions.
Using Springtails in Bioactive Setups
Springtails are most effective when paired with isopods. The two species fill different roles in the cleanup crew. Isopods handle large organic waste (leaf litter, feces, dead plant material). Springtails handle microscopic waste (mold spores, fungal growth, biofilm, tiny organic particles).
Together they create a self sustaining cleanup system that keeps your enclosure healthy with minimal maintenance from you.
Springtails are also a natural supplemental food source for small amphibians and reptiles. Dart frogs in particular benefit from grazing on springtail populations in their vivariums. The springtails reproduce fast enough that the population sustains itself even under constant predation.
Best Pairings
Tropical Pink springtails pair well with any tropical isopod species including Durian Spiky (Laureola sp.), Dairy Cow (Porcellio laevis), Powder Blue (Porcellionides pruinosus), Dwarf White (Trichorhina tomentosa), and most Cubaris species. They are also excellent companions in dart frog, crested gecko, and other tropical vivarium setups.
Troubleshooting
Culture seems to be declining or crashing: Usually caused by overfeeding (CO2 buildup), drying out, or temperature extremes. Reduce feeding, add moisture, and move to a stable temperature location.
Mold growing on food: A thin layer of mold is normal and springtails will eat it. Heavy mold growth means you are overfeeding. Remove the moldy food and reduce portion size.
Mites in the culture: Grain mites can infest springtail cultures, especially if you use rice as food. If mites become a problem, start a new culture with a small portion of springtails from the infested one, and switch to brewer's yeast instead of rice.
Springtails escaping: Make sure your lid is secure and ventilation holes are small enough that springtails cannot fit through. They are tiny and will find any gap.
Not reproducing: Temperature is probably too low. Tropical Pinks need consistent warmth (72 to 80°F) to reproduce at their best. Cold slows them down significantly.
Where to Buy Springtails
We sell Tropical Pink springtail cultures (Coecobrya sp.) at Creature Cache. Every waitlist member gets a free 16oz culture with their first order. All springtails are cultured at our Southern California facility and ship with a live arrival guarantee.
Visit creaturecache.com to check availability or join the waitlist for early access to new drops.
Common Questions About Springtails
What are springtails used for in bioactive setups? Springtails are a cleanup crew that eats mold, fungal spores, and microscopic organic debris in terrariums and vivariums. They work alongside isopods to keep bioactive enclosures clean and healthy. They also serve as a supplemental food source for small amphibians like dart frogs.
What do springtails eat? In a culture, feed them brewer's yeast, fish flakes, dry rice, or bee pollen. In a bioactive enclosure, they eat mold, decaying organic matter, fungal growth, and biofilm. They do not need supplemental feeding once established in an active bioactive setup.
How fast do springtails reproduce? Tropical Pink springtails reproduce very quickly in warm, humid conditions. A starter culture can double or triple in population within 2 to 4 weeks at 72 to 80°F. They can colonize a new enclosure within a few weeks of being introduced.
What is the difference between tropical and temperate springtails? Tropical springtails (like Coecobrya sp. Tropical Pink) prefer warmth (72 to 80°F) and are more surface active. Temperate springtails (like Folsomia candida) prefer cooler conditions (60 to 75°F) and stay buried. Choose tropical for warm setups and temperate for cooler ones.
Can springtails live with isopods? Yes. Springtails and isopods are the ideal pairing for any bioactive setup. They fill complementary roles: isopods handle large waste, springtails handle mold and microscopic debris. We recommend running both together in every enclosure.
How do you culture springtails at home? The easiest method is a small plastic container with a layer of clay pellets or charcoal, water just below the surface, and a lid with small ventilation holes. Feed a pinch of brewer's yeast every 3 to 5 days. Keep warm (72 to 80°F) and humid.
Can springtails infest your house? No. Springtails need high humidity to survive. They will not establish populations in normal household conditions. Any that escape a culture or enclosure will dry out and die within hours in a typical home environment.
Do springtails bite? No. Springtails are completely harmless to humans and animals. They do not bite, sting, or carry diseases. They are safe to handle and safe for any terrarium inhabitant.
How many springtails do I need for a terrarium? One 16 oz culture is enough to seed a standard terrarium or isopod enclosure. For larger setups (20 gallons and above), use a 32 oz culture or add multiple smaller portions. The population will grow to fill the available space.
What kills springtail cultures? The most common causes of culture crashes are overfeeding (which causes CO2 buildup), drying out, temperature extremes (below 60°F or above 85°F), and mite infestations. Keep conditions stable and feed conservatively.