Mushrooms & Microfauna Gallery
Images of the under-appreciated life forms within a live vivarium ecosystem
About This Gallery 
About Our Mushroom & Fungi Image Gallery:
The importance of fungi & microfauna within a living vivarium environment can't be understated. Mushrooms are the fruiting body of a fungus which can sound "icky" at first, until we consider the incredible importance of mycorrhizal relationships. Mycorrhizal fungi grow mutualistically with plants to help the flora better absorb minerals & nutrients within the substrate, while the fungus benefits from being hosted in & on the plant's root systems, absorbing carbohydrates. The vast majority of plants in nature benefit from this relationship, and we replicate this in our live vivariums.
One trophic layer higher in the ecosystem, we'll find Springtails & Isopods munching on any spent mushrooms (and subterranean fungus), while also consuming other detritus that would otherwise build up within the enclosed environment. This is why these species of Microfauna are often referred to as "clean up crews" or "vivarium janitors". In truth, they might not be able to do all the work themselves, without the help of fungi and other microorganisms. When built to spec, live vivariums are a fascinating, functional slice of natural biology. Below, we've got some of our favorite images of Springtails, Isopods, and Mushrooms we've seen in our vivaria.
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Mushrooms growing on Malaysian Driftwood
A pair of Mushrooms growing through NEHERP moss
These are some of the most common types we see!
A less common white mushroom
A dwarf white isopod on part of a HD Background
A yellow & orange vivarium mushroom
A group of mushrooms growing on NEHERP Moss
Dwarf Purple Isopod
Another common mushroom growing with NEHERP Moss
Awesome cluster of mushrooms on Ghostwood
Dwarf White Isopod
On Alsobia dianthiflora
Springtails In Vivarium
Eating left-over Gecko food!
Uncommon, tiny white mushroom
Bright Orange Vivarium Mushroom
One of our favorite vivarium photos!
Cluster of vivarium mushrooms
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Mushrooms growing on Malaysian Driftwood
Orange Isopod climbing on Cork
A pair of Mushrooms growing through NEHERP moss
These are some of the most common types we see!
A less common white mushroom
A dwarf white isopod on part of a HD Background
A yellow & orange vivarium mushroom
A group of mushrooms growing on NEHERP Moss
Dwarf Purple Isopod
Another common mushroom growing with NEHERP Moss
Awesome cluster of mushrooms on Ghostwood
Dwarf White Isopod
On Alsobia dianthiflora
Springtails In Vivarium
Eating left-over Gecko food!
Uncommon, tiny white mushroom
Bright Orange Vivarium Mushroom
One of our favorite vivarium photos!
Cluster of vivarium mushrooms
Select a different image gallery:
Amphibians
A gallery of photos featuring beautiful captive-bred Amphibians
Reptiles
A selection of live captive bred Reptile images
Vivariums
Realistic live vivariums, built by different team members at NEHERP
Plants / Flora
Detailed & close-up photos of vivarium & terrarium plants
New England Herpetoculture
A gallery of photos from our locations over the years