frogs

em_40 · #1 01-14-2011, 08:40 AM

Hi, I have a spare Exo Terra, 45 x45 x 60 (tall) and was thinking I would have a go again at making a paludarium type setup, With about half of the floor water, lots of branches and plants and a home-made background. Would eventually like to get some frogs in there, does that sound suitable? If so, How many would be comfortable in there? (I was mostly thinking reed frogs)

Also I can't really find much out about the reed frogs, so would appreciate any help.
-How much do they 'swim'? do they swim or just occasionally lounge around in the water? Do they prefer shallow or deep water?
-Do they like to have lots of flat land, or would branches and the background be enough, (If I was to perhaps think about doing the floor nearly all water)
-Is it OK to keep all the different types of Reed frogs together? There are many different species, yes? Should they be kept only with their own species? What abou breeding them? I assume you have to have the exact same reed frog species to be able to do that.
-Lastly (for now), Do you ever come across CB frogs? they always seem to be WC, and are CB much more expensive and much much harder to come across?

Thankyou
Em

FrogSplash · #2 01-15-2011, 02:36 AM

Paludariums are really cool, but the best ones are the types with a somewhat equal amount of vertical height with the water and air, up to having twice the air height as water depth. the best type of frogs would be different types of tree frogs as they can utilize the entire air space with trees branches and vines while in the water if your looking for low maintinence, try out guppies and stick to the usual stocking formula.

the best type has an all water base with the second best having a moat like deal where you can have some land frogs provided they are able to easily exit the water should they venture or fall in. not to mention feeding with a water moat or base can get tricky too.

i would have no more than say 5-6 white tree frogs or a dozen american tree frogs in there. that would also be a good estimate for different types. I tend to do things differently from the "accepted norm" and have had stellar results. you could even get away with having fir bellied toads in the bottom and some type(s) of tree frogs using the canopy space

I wish I could answer more about reed frogs, but my range of specialties do not include them.

FrogSplash

em_40 · #3 01-15-2011, 03:30 PM

Thankyou, that was helpful.

I'd like fire-bellied toads in the water area but was worried about their toxins building up. the water area would only be 45 x 45 and depth up to the exo door. I do part water changes with my CWDs water and he has a filter and some guppies in there, would that work for Fire-bellied toads to keep the toxicity levels in the water down? (just a small internal tank filter)

As they are tree frogs I take it they don't come down to the ground too much to come into too much contact with the toads? I did look into whites too but I thought I'd prefer to start with something a little smaller.

boabab95 · #4 01-15-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by em_40

Hi, I have a spare Exo Terra, 45 x45 x 60 (tall) and was thinking I would have a go again at making a paludarium type setup, With about half of the floor water, lots of branches and plants and a home-made background. Would eventually like to get some frogs in there, does that sound suitable? If so, How many would be comfortable in there? (I was mostly thinking reed frogs)
That sounds fine. I would suggest 3-5 reed frogs for an 18X18X24(45X45X60) exo. but ONLY reed frogs. mixing different species is not a good idea, as 1 of them will eventually be lunch.

Also I can't really find much out about the reed frogs, so would appreciate any help.
-How much do they 'swim'? do they swim or just occasionally lounge around in the water? Do they prefer shallow or deep water?
They don't really swim a lot, but they'll go in occasionally. shallow water

-Do they like to have lots of flat land, or would branches and the background be enough, (If I was to perhaps think about doing the floor nearly all water)
I would do somewhere along the line of 2/3 water or 1/2 water, as the land area will give the reed frogs a place to hunt for wingless fruit flies, crickets, etc...
-Is it OK to keep all the different types of Reed frogs together? There are many different species, yes? Should they be kept only with their own species? What abou breeding them? I assume you have to have the exact same reed frog species to be able to do that.
Mixing species is very taboo in the dart/reed/mantella hobby, they should be kept with the same species, especially if breeding is planned.

-Lastly (for now), Do you ever come across CB frogs? they always seem to be WC, and are CB much more expensive and much much harder to come across?
CB are fairly common. they range from $25-$60 depending on the species. WC are always riskier (chytrid, parasites, etc...) but both are common. just be sure to ask the breeder.

Thankyou
Em

Also, reed frogs from pet store WILL be WC, I would check a local reptile expo or join some more frog forums, for CB.

answers to your questions are in red.

em_40 · #5 01-15-2011, 05:43 PM

''That sounds fine. I would suggest 3-5 reed frogs for an 18X18X24(45X45X60) exo. but ONLY reed frogs. mixing different species is not a good idea, as 1 of them will eventually be lunch.''
-Ok Thanks, Is it ok to have little fish in the water, or will they too become easy lunch? :P

''They don't really swim a lot, but they'll go in occasionally. shallow water''
-Would it be OK if it was 3/4 inches deep with lots of easy ways out of the water? and I will defo add atleast 1/3 land, maybe half, thanks

''Mixing species is very taboo in the dart/reed/mantella hobby, they should be kept with the same species, especially if breeding is planned.''
-Breeding isn't really planned but as I would like more than one I just thought I'd take it into consideration. All of the ones that I have seen for sale are just called 'reed frogs' and so I wouldn't know what exact species they are and they're definately WC yeh. Will have to keep an eye out in the classifieds and try and find someone who breeds them.

Thanks for the help

(I copied you, but my responses are blue! hehe)

boabab95 · #6 01-15-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by em_40

Ok Thanks, Is it ok to have little fish in the water, or will they too become easy lunch? :P
yes, a guppy or minnow would be fine. you'd just have to feed it too.

Would it be OK if it was 3/4 inches deep with lots of easy ways out of the water? and I will defo add atleast 1/3 land, maybe half, thanks

3/4'' of water is fine, but i'f you want a fish, then I'd go with a small minnow or 2 (2 would be the limmit)they are usually like $0.27 each at petsmart. I would also add plants, like, anubias nana, java sword, crypts, mini micro sword, etc...

Breeding isn't really planned but as I would like more than one I just thought I'd take it into consideration. All of the ones that I have seen for sale are just called 'reed frogs' and so I wouldn't know what exact species they are and they're definately WC yeh. Will have to keep an eye out in the classifieds and try and find someone who breeds them.

where are you located? there's probably an expo every so often, that has them

Thanks for the help

(I copied you, but my responses are blue! hehe)

answers are in red...haha

em_40 · #7 01-15-2011, 06:29 PM

I live in the UK, there aren't that many expos near me, but I will definately try and get to atleast one this year.

Thanks for the plant names, I'm gonna write them down so I don't forget. I'm pretty new at the whole planting thing, all of my reptiles are in planted vivs but just have random plants that aren't toxic in them, I don't know how long they are going to last :P I have much more time to plan in this one as I have the viv spare and the hubby says 'no more pets just yet' so I will get the viv planned and nicely grown-in well in advance

Many Thanks

FrogSplash · #8 01-15-2011, 07:17 PM

A good internal filter with loads of carbon (that you would have to change often) would be your best friend. While fire bellied toads do give off toxins, they are greatest and most common when disturbed. So as long as the guppies don't bug the FBs then you should not have any problems.

boabab95 · #9 01-15-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrogSplash

A good internal filter with loads of carbon (that you would have to change often) would be your best friend. While fire bellied toads do give off toxins, they are greatest and most common when disturbed. So as long as the guppies don't bug the FBs then you should not have any problems.

FBT's!??! I thought we were talking about reeds? anyways, honestly, as long as ou have some plants that'll help clean the water, a filter isn't needed.

FrogSplash · #10 01-15-2011, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boabab95

FBT's!??! I thought we were talking about reeds? anyways, honestly, as long as ou have some plants that'll help clean the water, a filter isn't needed.

FBTs were a type of frog i offered as good for a paludarium, and the person whom started this thread asked about their toxins to which i answered