How do I keep reptiles and amphibians from eating my fish?

WetNwild · #1 (**permalink**) 03-12-2009, 10:19 PM

Hello All!

I have been in the freshwater aquarium hobby for several years. I have recently become interested in paludariums. I think it would be great to combine fish, amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic/marginal plants into a unique habitat. However, while doing preliminary stocking research, I find that most of the amphibians and reptiles that would seem to be suitable for this love to eat small fish. Any thoughts or experiences with this dilemma would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

kyryah · #2 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 10:27 AM

Use cheap, feeder type fish, or keep them seperate

There really is no other alternative that I know of.

Also keep in mind that the reptiles will most likely eat the amphibs, too. Mixing is not to be taken lightly.

Kristina

Chu'Wuti · #3 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 10:32 AM

Or, if you have a nice big frog, it might just eat the lizards!

This is like one of my neighbors who didn't want her $200 koi in her new pond to get eaten by a blue heron . . . Hah! Another neighbor only put in $10 koi because he knew the blue heron would spot the feast being offered so conveniently!

froggsong · #4 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 03:20 PM

I'm going to ignore the reptile amphibian mixing talk for now... If you wanted to do this and actually keep your fish separate from your frogs and/or lizards, you could install some sort of permeable divider a couple of inches below the surface of the water. Something the water can easily flow through, that you can feed the fish through, and that the frogs and/or lizards can't fit through. I can think of a few ways that you could hide something like that... That way your land dwellers can still soak and'or drink and they wont be able to reach the fish to eat them.

beckdg · #5 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 12:41 AM

careful thinking and planning... this is no light subject at all... you can start out with cheaper animals to spare your pocket until you get things going, but that guarantees nothing... i have taken a slight break for my kids and to improve my fish tank lately, but i have been planning for close to 2 yrs and still no leap

things that would help immensely...
1) large herbivorous fish... idk, maybe plecos... there's a huge variety!
2) small-medium amphibs
3) reptiles that are not interested in animals at all
4) a large area... large as in minimum of my favorite link... imo, that's too small anyway... i'd say at least triple the width for a good variety of small animals... they'll need much more space to feel secure with mixed species
5) reps that don't take to the water too well
6) dividers... although idk about amphibs w/them, but there are ways around it
7) a boat load of research... i have been home for almost 2 yrs w/my kids and spent alot of time pondering the possibilities... there are many, but there are much fewer that will work
8) knowing region and diet... for example using only australian animals that knowingly will not eat each other
9) creating different regions in your tank... ie. make it blend from desert to woodland/tropical to finally cool water thus theoretically reducing wandering too far too often of tank mates... another option not to be trusted though
10) a large pool full of live bearers, but that does nothing for the reps vs. amphibs at all
11) along with the regions you can seperate them with shelves... for the desert you can make a natural rock ledge across the top of one side... woodland/tropical underneath with branches shooting out away from desert atop water for arboreal and water sloping down to lowest/deepest point

as you see there are many options on how to accomplish such a task, but none are easy and all take knowledge prior... it is also best to get to know all the inhabitants closely and keep an eye on them for a while b4 hand... not just by species, but each individual, personally

you have to remember you are talking about sicknesses, diseases, parasites, THE ABILITY TO EAT ONE ANOTHER... not just whether they would do it purposely... herps are incredibly stupid, and if they both go for the same food and one's just a hair late then it might get a much bigger meal than usual... the possibilities for disaster are endless... and you will be killing off very needed wildlife as well as your pocket if it is done wrong ANYWHERE.

don't forget, EVERYTHING must be considered... you don't want arrowana unless your smallest herp can get away from it also... there is a reason zoo's really don't even get into this kind of project in most cases, but i'm sure some of us will show them a few things that can be done

good luck