Orange springtails are a vibrant addition to any bioactive setup, known for their striking color and activity. Alongside them, red springtails are another fascinating variety for bioactive enclosures, offering similar benefits and unique aesthetics. These tiny detritivores help break down organic matter, keeping the enclosure clean and supporting nutrient cycling. A healthy colony of orange springtails can quickly establish itself and contribute to the overall health of the enclosure.
The Orange Springtails (Yuuklanura Aphoruroides sp.) are vibrant and efficient bioactive custodians, perfect for maintaining healthy terrariums. Known for their striking orange color, these tiny creatures thrive in moist environments and help break down organic waste, preventing mold and maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Ideal for pairing with isopods, reptiles, or amphibians, they are easy to care for and quickly establish themselves in bioactive setups. Their low maintenance and high productivity make them a valuable addition to any enclosure. These tiny detritivores help break down organic matter, keeping the enclosure clean and supporting nutrient cycling.
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Yuuklanura Aphoruroides AKA Protanurs Orange
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Origin: Asia
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Availability: Very Rare
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75 Degree Fahrenheit
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Level of Difficulty: Easy
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Orange springtails require consistently moist conditions and a steady supply of organic matter to thrive.
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Favourite Foods: Brewer’s Yeast, Fish Flakes, Fruits, etc.
Orange Springtails: An Overview
Orange springtails are strikingly orange in color. The bright orange color is the major attraction of this group of hexapods. The vibrant orange colour of these springtails makes them visually appealing in terrarium setups. Their color often varies between different shades of red and yellow.
The newborn orange springtails are off-white. They change color into yellow, red, and bright orange as they grow up. They are popular for their voracious appetite. Orange springtails play a key role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem by breaking down organic matter and controlling mold.
They prefer moderately moist conditions. So, a moderately damp enclosure with soil substrate would be the right way to keep them. But they manage to survive on other substrate mediums, too.
As mentioned before, they are highly responsive to food. They eat almost any kind of food. But the favorites are dried mealworms, fish flakes, wood bark, etc. Their ability to reproduce rapidly and adapt to various environmental conditions helps maintain a stable population.
Experts advise keeping the orange springtails in non-vented containers. Because they tend to reach up to the vents and climb out. They grow up to 4 mm in length. As they are tiny, relatively small containers and tanks are enough to keep them.
Orange Springtails: Habitat and Humid Environment Enclosure
Here are some pointers on the orange springtail habitat to remember while setting up their enclosures. Maintaining a humid environment is essential for orange springtails, especially in a terrarium setup.
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Orange springtails prefer damp soil to live in. So, the enclosure needs to retain moisture always. For terrarium habitats, coconut fiber is an excellent substrate component for retaining moisture and supporting microbial growth.
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These springtails need plenty of organic matter and vegetation to consume. So, add enough wood and leaf matter while setting up the enclosure. They also help break down fallen leaves and mould, contributing to a clean and healthy environment.
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Ready-made enclosures are not necessary for these springtails. You can use simple containers and tanks to make DIY enclosures. These springtails are small and easy to care for, so you don’t need a custom-made enclosure. You can use acrylic or transparent plastic containers to keep these springtails.
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On the substrate, you can add moss, leaf litter, etc. These provide the best hiding spots for the orange springtails. Also, these are the perfect places for the beneficial bacteria to grow. Placing a small amount of activated charcoal in the substrate can absorb toxins and improve habitat health.
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Bacteria, fungus, and mold are some of the favorite foods of orange springtails. So, it is fine for them to grow in the enclosure.
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You can always add live plants in the enclosure. These springtails do not consume live greens. So, the live plants will remain intact and pleasing to the eyes. Also, adding live plants provides some extra surface for the springtails to climb and engage in. They may consume the sprouting parts of the plants. But usually, they do not cause any damage to the plant.
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Adding certain materials or making small adjustments, such as using coconut fiber or activated charcoal, can enhance the overall quality and stability of the springtail habitat.
Diet
Here are some essential things to remember regarding the diet of Orange Springtails.
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Orange springtails naturally consume various microorganisms that grow around their habitat, as well as decaying plant material and fungi, which are abundant in their natural environment. So, in their enclosures, you must ensure the soil is damp enough for such microorganisms to grow.
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Fish flakes are an excellent protein source for these springtails. High protein consumption helps to increase the reproduction rate in these springtails.
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Minnows and mealworms are other food sources that provide enough protein for the springtails.
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Ready-made springtail food and supplements can also feed the springtails.
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As they have a high appetite, it is advisable to feed them at regular intervals. It is important to ensure springtails receive a continuous supply of moisture and nutrients for optimal health.
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Leaf litter is also a good food source for them.
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You need not worry about providing them with dried food. They have a unique sucking mechanism in their mouth that can chew on even extremely dry food.
Orange springtail cultures are often maintained as a live food source for dart frogs and other small amphibians.
Orange Springtails: Substrate Mix
Orange springtails need their habitat to be reasonably damp always. Thus, having the right substrate mix is crucial for their survival. Also, if you don’t pay enough attention to maintaining the moisture content of the substrate, it could be harmful to the springtails. Monitoring and controlling the population of orange springtails is also important to prevent overpopulation, which can lead to resource competition and imbalances in the micro-ecosystem.
Usually, these springtails are kept on one of the two different substrate mixes. They are as follows.
The flake soil substrate is made from rotting white wood. It is relatively difficult to source the white wood for making this substrate. The Calcium-bearing clay substrate is made for order by many reputed manufacturers. You can purchase from them to set up your enclosure.
The most important thing to remember about the substrate mix is to keep it damp always. It is advisable to water or spray the substrate at regular intervals.
While watering the substrate, you must consider your home region’s ambient humidity and temperature. Because the level of humidity and condensation differ in the various areas. So, the amount of water you need to spray into an orange springtail enclosure will also be different.
You have to observe the water retention capacity of the substrate in your tank in the initial days. Then, you have to adjust the watering intervals accordingly. Over time, regular observation and adjustment are necessary to maintain optimal conditions and ensure a healthy springtail population.
You can include coconut coir, moss, softwood chunks, etc., in the substrate mix. You can also leave some leaf litter at random spots. Make sure not to cover the entire top part of the soil with leaf litter. Making small changes to the substrate mix can improve the overall health and stability of the springtail habitat.
