Coming soon to Mantis Pets!

[GreenOasis]

I just want to make sure everyone knows! Coming soon to Mantis Pets; Springtail Cultures!

I don't breed many tiny species myself, but these guys are GREAT feeders for smaller nymphs of certain species: Sinomantis, Iris oratoria, Brunner's, Thesprotia graminis & many others!

I will be offering starter cultures at competitive prices & supplies for expanding your culture or starting new ones. They will come with complete instructions on caring for & starting new cultures.

By the way, this new product is completely thanks to YEN SAW, who sent me my first springtail culture back when I had young Thesprotia nymphs to feed! THANK YOU, YEN!

-Carey Kurtz-

www.mantispets.com

 

[GreenOasis]

Oh, and DUH! They are also great feeders for smaller dart frog species & froglets!

 

[frogparty]

They make a great clean up crew in tanks with substrate bottoms too. They eat mold and bacterial biofilm so having them in a tank is a great way to improve the overall healh of the system

 

[CoolMantid]

When would they be for sale?

 

[GreenOasis]

I'm going to be making some very small starter cultures here soon...probably today (I accidentally ordered 8 oz cups, when I should have gotten more like 12 or 16 oz cups!), and then when the new, larger cups come in, I will make up some more.

So, if you need them soon, just let me know!

In fact, I may as well just go make some "buttons" for them on the site!

 

[CoolMantid]

Thats great. Because dont Brunners need small sized food when they are born? Would fruit flies be too big?

 

[GreenOasis]

If you use D. mels from an older culture (when the flies start to get small right before the culture dies completely), then you don't need very tiny things like springtails for them. The wingless D. mels are also great for hatchling Brunners!

 

[CoolMantid]

Awesome. But when you have them in stock I probally will buy some. Just in case

 

[D.J.]

Ya I'm thinking about getting a brunners ooth

 

[minard734]

What do you suggest to feed them? And... what substrate should I use, besides dirt (it makes them hard to remove). I have some springtails myself .

 

[frogparty]

Culture them on hardwood charcoal and feed them yeast or mushroom slices

 

[minard734]

Culture them on hardwood charcoal and feed them yeast or mushroom slices

Thanks!

 

[minard734]

I was able to culture them in a decayed wood and soil mixture with contained fungus.

 

[frogparty]

Charcoal allows you to flood a culture with water and simY pour water/springtails into cOntainers. Easiest method around.

 

[itzjustjeff]

I was able to culture them in a decayed wood and soil mixture with contained fungus.

I like this method because they have a constant source of food. I have two scotch pads that I rest on top of the surface to feed mushrooms and to transfer springtails into a tank (one tap drops plenty!)

Charcoal allows you to flood a culture with water and simY pour water/springtails into cOntainers. Easiest method around.

If kept in the right conditions it seems like charcoal produces a LOT of springtails too

 

[frogparty]

I've been culturing springtails for years and withe exception of Tomocerus species all have produced best for me on charcoal