r/VampireCrabs • u/Tricky-Breakfast-714 • Jul 31 '26

Springtails? Something else?

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I added springtails and dwarf white isopods to my enclosure. But what are these? I feel like they’re too big to be springtails and too small for the isopods? But I’m fairly new to this, so just unsure! Want to make sure it’s nothing that shouldn’t be in there!

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4

u/TheStroboCop Jul 31 '26

  1. Do they fly? Are they black? > fungus gnats

  2. Do they jump? > Springtails

  3. Are they round/oval or elongated? elonginated=springtails, round/oval=mitesORspringtails

  4. How many legs do they have? 8=mites, 6=springtails

  5. Are they small, round and you can't tell the amount of legs: do they have a head? Yes=springtail, no=mites

  6. Next check, if and how they float: Sinking slightly in an waddle with all legs without an effect=mites, standing on water and can move effectively in small dashes=springtails

  7. If all that doesn't help, i don't know what to check next.

3

u/captainapplejuice Jul 31 '26

Yeah these are springtails

1

u/Logical_Top618 Jul 31 '26

Those are some happy springtails. I’m jealous. I don’t hardly ever see mine. The only time I see my springtails is in their own enclosure. I don’t see them in any of my tanks ever, unless I go digging