Library
Fauna
Living helpers — especially springtails — keep moist systems cleaner. Start small and learn observation before adding larger animals.
Springtails
Collembola spp.
Tiny cleanup crew that eats mould and keeps closed systems healthier.
Open →Dairy Cow Isopods
Porcellio laevis
Visible cleaners that shred leaf litter and add gentle movement.
Open →Powder Orange Isopods
Porcellionides pruinosus
Fast breeders and reliable cleaners for humid planted cases.
Open →White-leg Millipede
Yourellus spp.
A larger detritivore for spacious, humid displays.
Open →Ramshorn Snail
Planorbella spp.
Gentle algae and biofilm grazers for very wet, sealed scenes.
Open →Earthworms
Eisenia fetida
Soil engineers — usually too disruptive for small closed cases.
Open →Mycelium Partners
Various saprotrophic fungi
Beneficial fungi that cycle nutrients — observe, do not panic.
Open →Predatory Mites
Stratiolaelaps scimitus
Biological helpers used carefully against pest mites in collections.
Open →Dwarf White Isopods
Trichorhina tomentosa
Tiny soil-dwelling cleaners ideal for planted bioactive jars.
Open →Zebra Isopods
Armadillidium maculatum
Striking display isopods for roomier humid setups.
Open →Common Woodlice
Oniscus asellus
Familiar UK woodlice — only use captive-clean cultures, never garden unknowns.
Open →Land Amphipods
Arcitalitrus spp.
Tiny hoppers for very moist bioactive layers — niche and lively.
Open →House Spiders (not recommended)
Various
Tempting as pest control — usually a poor fit for planted showcases.
Open →Temperate Springtails
Folsomia candida
Classic white springtails often sold for bioactive starters.
Open →Giant Canyon Isopods
Porcellio dilatatus
Larger isopods for big humid cabinets with robust plantings.
Open →Common pillbug
Armadillidium vulgare
The classic British garden pillbug that rolls into a ball — hardy UK-room cleanup with a moisture gradient.
Open →Rough woodlouse
Porcellio scaber
Europe’s familiar scurrying grey woodlouse — extremely forgiving and the ancestor of many hobby morphs.
Open →Little Sea isopods
Cubaris murina
The sensible first Cubaris: rounded look, tropical moisture, far more forgiving than cave Cubaris.
Open →Greenhouse millipede
Oxidus gracilis
Small dark millipede common in gardens and greenhouses — useful burrowing detritivore when correctly identified.
Open →Pink tropical springtails
Sinella curviseta
Warmer-climate springtails for heated tropical jars — useful when Folsomia prefers cooler rooms. Taxonomy in trade is messy.
Open →