How small are the springtails you use?

[CutThroat Kid]

Hello all,

I'm an invert keeper trying to learn the basics of culturing springtails for my enclosures. It's too cold to be shipping anything so I picked up a culture of 'mystery species' springtails from Zamzow's. When I asked the worked what kind they were, they answered, "idk, the normal kind!" And these guys are SMALL. Smaller than I can photograph. The biggest specimen I saw in the culture was as long as a grain of jasmine rice is wide. I'm not kidding, I swear hair lice could beat these things up.

So, my question is, how small are the springtails you use? I guess a good way to compare would be to use a hypothetical grain of jasmine rice, as I did.

 

[Frogdaddy]

Springtails are tiny. Your description sounds about right.

 

[CutThroat Kid]

Springtails are tiny. Your description sounds about right.

Thanks, I know that springtails are small, yes… But is there any distinction in size dependent on species within the hobby? I cant tell, were you answering my question, by saying my description fits the springtails you use?

I swear the ones i’ve seen in some youtube videos look bigger than mine.

 

[Hisserdude]

Are they silvery? If so, sounds like Lepidocyrtus sp. to me, often called "Small Silvers". Only a mm or so in length.

 

[Frogdaddy]

Thanks, I know that springtails are small, yes… But is there any distinction in size dependent on species within the hobby? I cant tell, were you answering my question, by saying my description fits the springtails you use?

I swear the ones i’ve seen in some youtube videos look bigger than mine.

I've only used "tropical white" or "temperate white" springtails. Species unknown (or forgotten).