Stocking a swamp-type paludarium?

rudukai13 · #1 01-28-2011, 11:44 PM

Alright everyone. I'm finally getting in a position where I'd be able to start this project that I've been wanting to do for a while and I'm looking for some advice on how to go about it. I want to build a type of paludarium modeled after a swamp-type terrain. For an idea of the look I'll be going for, here's a picture:

What I'd like to do is fill a tank partially with water, and then use driftwood pieces that emerge out of the water. So I guess what I'm asking here is what inhabitants would you suggest for this type of enclosure? I'd like to either do some kind of lizard or amphibian that would use both the branches and aquatic portions of the enclosure, or have fish for the water and some type of arboreal animal in the branches. Please, no snakes or turtles. Otherwise I'm all ears. The reason I'm asking about stocking options is because that will determine what size tank I get and how I construct the enclosure overall. Thanks in advance!

Vivarium1 · #2 01-29-2011, 10:13 PM

In a book called "Natural Terrariums" by Philip Purser he mentions a tank that has squirrel frogs living on branches sticking out of the water and then there is a snapping turtle in the water with fish in the water also. Squirrel frogs in the wild will hardly ever touch the ground. You could put spanish moss on the wood to make it look more appealing. You could put a siren instead of the trutle. You would have to have a big tank. Sirens like shallow pools so keep it shallow.

rudukai13 · #3 01-30-2011, 02:38 AM

I was thinking about using the largest exo-terra, the dimensions would work for a siren and the water would be fairly shallow...That might be the way I go.

Vivarium1 · #4 01-30-2011, 08:56 AM

Just remember. Have lots of plants in the water because sirens live in canals and other slow moving waters that are FILLED with plants. Water hyacinth is a good plant for that type of. For the exo-terra tanks, you would have to get one of the smaller sirens because some of them can get huge.

rudukai13 · #5 01-30-2011, 06:37 PM

If I were to find pieces of driftwood that created substantial enough land area, would this type of setup be at all suitable for a tiger salamander? I love their look and personality, I just don't want to keep it in an enclosure that isn't suitable...?

Vivarium1 · #6 01-30-2011, 06:51 PM

No. Sorry. Tiger salamanders nead a terrestrial tank. Even if you could make a good area for them what would happen if they fell in the water? Go with a frog or something that can climb the walls.

rudukai13 · #7 01-30-2011, 07:33 PM

If it fell in the water I would think it could swim well enough to find it's way back out...Obviously I would construct the land portion with easy access to and from the water.

Tindomul1of9 · #8 01-31-2011, 01:18 AM

Tigers would need more land than what you seem to want.
One thing I have learned is that in tanks you run out of room fast when making a water feature. So make sure you dedicate the space you need for whatever it is you want to put in there. Also as for the tree frogs, make some sort of horizontal resting spot so they don't have be grabbing on to vertical object 24/7.
Have you thought about spring peepers or green tree frogs?

rudukai13 · #9 01-31-2011, 03:01 AM

I'm more looking for something that would use both the land and water sections. As far as I know, tree frogs would stay in the branches and not really venture much into the aquatic area. I'm thinking if nothing else works I can always go with a group of fire belly toads.

boabab95 · #10 01-31-2011, 10:35 AM

What about a small turtle?