Runner Springtail (Pseudosinella rolfsi) Fast-moving soil cleaner ideal for terrariums and vivariums. Great for bioactive setups.

Fast-moving soil cleaner ideal for terrariums and vivariums. Great for bioactive setups.

If your terrarium’s ecosystem needs a smarter cleanup crew, Pseudosinella rolfsi is the species you’re looking for.

Native to forest floors and moist leaf litter habitats across North America, the Runner Springtail stands out among microfauna for its agility and adaptability. Unlike the more sluggish Folsomia candida, P. rolfsi is a sleek, fast-moving springtail that thrives in diverse conditions, from tropical vivariums to subtropical isopod enclosures and even shaded houseplant bins. Its speed gives it a unique ecological edge, allowing it to colonize new substrate zones quickly and outcompete mold before it spreads.

Whether you're managing a dart frog terrarium, an isopod breeding bin, or a shrimp tank with emergent plants, P. rolfsi is a specialist in bioactive mold prevention and organic debris breakdown. It aerates soil structure while regulating microclimate humidity through its foraging movement, a subtle but powerful effect. In systems with high ventilation or drier surface zones, their preference for deeper substrate layers helps maintain ecological balance where slower surface dwellers can’t reach.

Why Choose Pseudosinella rolfsi for Your Setup?

• Excellent for terrarium mold prevention and long-term substrate stability

• Outpaces mold and fungi in high-nutrient environments like isopod bins and moist vivarium corners

• Moves quickly to colonize disturbed substrate, ideal after replanting or rehoming animals

• Supports detritivore cycles by fragmenting decaying matter and spreading microbial life

• Suitable for bioactive cleanup crew use in tropical, subtropical, and even semi-arid enclosures

• Performs well in mixed-species microfauna colonies, especially with isopods and dwarf white springtails

🪱✨ Pro tip: Their movement also encourages shy isopods to forage more actively. It’s a subtle enrichment bonus.

How to Introduce Them
Add the colony directly onto damp substrate, cork bark, or leaf litter. For houseplants or shrimp tanks with emergent growth, sprinkle onto moist soil near root bases or humid hides. Provide humidity gradients and avoid chemically treated materials. P. rolfsi prefers stable, moist zones, think 70–90% RH, but tolerates minor drying cycles better than most.

Feeding & Care
In nutrient-rich tanks, they’ll feed on detritus, fungi, and biofilm naturally. Supplement with powdered brewer’s yeast, organic rice flour, or quality springtail food if you're culturing separately. They do best in ventilated setups with consistent moisture. Avoid deep flooding unless they’re housed with semi-aquatic species like shrimp.

What Sets Them Apart
Compared to common species like F. candida, the Runner Springtail is more mobile, less prone to population crashes in variable conditions, and better suited for active bioactive systems with frequent substrate disruption. It’s a quiet powerhouse for vivarium pests control, mold suppression, and soil microbe cycling. Their presence means less mold, fewer mites, and healthier root zones. 🌱

Best Use Cases

• Terrariums and vivariums with active inhabitants

• High-humidity isopod and millipede enclosures

• Naturalistic shrimp tanks with emersed plants

• Tropical houseplant bins or moss walls

• Cultures mixed with slower springtail species to diversify microhabitats

Adding P. rolfsi isn't just a functional move, it's an ecological upgrade. For keepers who want to go beyond the basics, this is the springtail species that steps up where others stall.

🛒 Ready to boost your cl