Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm looking to introduce some springtails to a small box terrarium I have, it's got a bunch of plants and I think they'd really thrive in there.
I've got a large fish tank with a huge springtail colony living among the floaters, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to catch them and transfer them to the terrarium.

I'd probably just scoop up some of the floaters with the springtails and add them to the terrarium as compost. As for catching them specifically, I'm not really sure - I'm considering trying to capture some to culture them in the terrarium, but I'm still figuring out the logistics of getting them in there in the first place.

You can use something soft like a fluffy cloth or a feather to gently sweep over the floaters, and that should help dislodge the springtails, making it easier to transfer them to your terrarium.

I think you can corral them into the water, where they'll float, and then use a brine shrimp net to scoop them up.

graye wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 1:05 pm I'd probably just scoop up some of the floaters with the springtails and add them to the terrarium as compost. As for catching them specifically, I'm not really sure - I'm considering trying to capture some to culture them in the terrarium, but I'm still figuring out the logistics of getting them in there in the first place.

I like the suggestions. I think using a small measuring cup to transfer them into the terrarium is a good approach. Since I have issues with mold growth whenever I add new leaves, these helpful bugs can assist with that problem by eating the mold.

Emeraldsea said:

Take something fluffy or a feather and go gently over the floaters and you can move those springtails to your terrarium.

That's a gentle method, I appreciate it.

Hermic said:

You should be able to chase them into the water (they will float) and then scoop them up with a brine shrimp net.

I also like this idea, thanks for sharing. I'll give all these methods a try and update you on the outcome.

Giggletons wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 12:25 pm I'm looking to introduce some springtails to a small box terrarium I have, it's got a bunch of plants and I think they'd really thrive in there.
I've got a large fish tank with a huge springtail colony living among the floaters, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to catch them and transfer them to the terrarium.

I found a pretty efficient way to transfer them. I take a small measuring cup and use it to "water" them into the terrarium. It's been working great, especially since I've been having some mold issues in the terrarium whenever I add new leaves, and these springtails are perfect for eating the mold.