Clean feeding, healthy frogs, and how to raise your own colony
If you’re serious about keeping dart frogs or maintaining a thriving bioactive terrarium, springtails should be at the top of your feeder list. These tiny, hard-working invertebrates are more than just a cleanup crew—they’re a crucial food source, especially for young dart frogs and froglets. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about springtails: what they are, why they matter, how to culture them, and how to harvest them cleanly using our custom-designed 3D Printed Springtail Collection Riser.
What Are Springtails?
Springtails (Collembola) are minute arthropods, typically just 1–2 mm in size, found naturally in soil, leaf litter, and decaying organic matter. They’re named for the forked appendage under their abdomen (called a furcula), which allows them to “spring” into the air to avoid predators.
In the vivarium world, springtails are best known for two things:
- Decomposition: They consume mould, fungus, and decaying matter, making them an ideal cleanup crew.
- Nutrition: Many amphibians—especially dart frogs—love eating them due to their tiny size, soft bodies, and high nutritional value.
Why Are Springtails Perfect for Dart Frogs?
Dart frogs, particularly newly morphed froglets, require tiny, easily digestible food. Springtails provide:
- High protein content to support rapid growth.
- Small size for baby dart frogs with tiny mouths.
- Movement that stimulates hunting behaviour.
They’re also safe to feed frequently and naturally occur in humid tropical environments, making them a perfect match for the needs of bioactive dart frog setups.
Which Dart Frog Species Eat Springtails?
Almost all dart frogs will eat springtails, especially:
- Ranitomeya species like R. variabilis, R. imitator, R. amazonica
- Epipedobates such as E. anthonyi (phantasticus)
- Dendrobates tinctorius froglets
- Oophaga pumilio and O. sylvatica (as juveniles)
While adult frogs may graduate to larger feeders like fruit flies or pinheads, springtails remain a crucial food source for:
- New froglets
- Small species
- Recovery or underweight frogs
Why Are Springtails Essential for Froglets?
Newly morphed dart frogs are fragile and require near-constant access to food. Springtails:
- Fit into small enclosures
- Stay alive longer in high humidity
- Can be seeded directly into vivariums
- Don’t harm your froglets if uneaten
Feeding springtails ensures strong, healthy growth during a froglet’s most vulnerable life stage.
How Are Springtails Shipped?
Springtail cultures are typically shipped in one of several mediums:
| Medium | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Charcoal | Clean, reusable, good visibility | Takes up space; harder to remove springtails |
| Clay Balls (LECA) | Breathable and easy to keep moist | Hard to separate springtails |
| Soil/Substrate Mix | Mimics natural environment | Messy, not ideal for feeding |
| Custom Mediums | May be tailored for growth or feeding | Quality varies widely |
Regardless of the medium, clean collection is a challenge—especially when you don’t want to scoop up dirt with your bugs.
That’s where the 3D Printed Springtail Collection Riser comes in.
Clean Feeding with the Springtail Collection Riser
If you’ve ever tried to gather springtails for feeding, you’ve probably ended up with a clump of charcoal or bits of soil in your vivarium. Not ideal.
Our 3D Printed Springtail Collection Riser solves this problem.
How It Works:
- Place the riser into your springtail tub.
- Add a small piece of food (like rice or brewers yeast) or a bit of damp charcoal on the top.
- Springtails climb up to access the food.
- Simply tap the top into your viv to feed—no soil, no mess.
✅ Designed for bioactive setups
✅ Made from durable, moisture-resistant plastic
✅ Compatible with charcoal, clay, or soil cultures
✅ Reusable and easy to clean
➡️ Buy the Springtail Collection Riser Now
How to Raise a Springtail Colony
Culturing springtails is easy with the right setup:
1. Choose a Container:
Use a sealed but ventilated plastic tub or glass jar with a secure lid.
2. Add Culture Medium:
Charcoal is ideal—it’s clean, reusable, and holds moisture well.
3. Add Moisture:
Keep it damp, not soaking. Use dechlorinated water or RO water for best results.
4. Feed Them:
Springtails love:
- Brewer’s yeast (sparingly)
- Rice grains
- Powdered fish food
- Mushrooms or soft fruit (remove uneaten food to prevent rot)
5. Maintain:
- Keep temperatures stable (18–26°C)
- Mist lightly every few days
- Feed 1–2x per week depending on culture size
A healthy culture can be harvested multiple times a week using your 3D Printed Springtail Collection Riser.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a dart frog breeder or just starting your bioactive journey, springtails are a must-have. They’re a powerful combination of live food and tank maintenance—and when fed properly, your dart frogs will thrive.
Make clean springtail collection part of your routine with the 3D Printed Springtail Collection Riser from Frogfather.
