As its common and scientific names suggest, this is an exclusively aquatic species, living its whole life as a scavenger on the surface of all kinds of still water.

It is a squat species, up to 1.5 mm in length, and usually bluish grey but sometimes almost black.

The furcula is large and flattened, allowing the animal to jump without breaking the surface tension of the water.

The species has a longer tail than Hypogastruridae, which are also common springtails in standing water.

The eggs are hydrophilic and immediately sink to the bottom.