Hopeing to start my first Paludarium (what animal?)

[Torchwood~Mindfreak]

Well I'm very big into fish but I just discovered paludariums and find them amazing. I made a deal with my mom that in a month I can start one. I don't have alot of money so it can't be big. I can easily get a 10 gallon but I'm trying to find a 20 long. I really like the half land/ half water tanks but I know I need to choose what I actually want to go in it first! SO I'm looking for something that's active in both land and water, and that I can have multiples of in a tank this size. I find the noises that some of the frogs make really cool but I havn't seen any that really like the water : / The newts look really cool too. Oh and will any of these get along with fish?

[viva la viv]

newts are cool and good for begginers. fire belly newt or toad..they do put off some sort of poision from their skin just wash your hands before and after playing with them. as for getting along with fish, it depends what kind of fish. big fish could possibly bite there toes off. small fish, a toad would eat , if he could catch it. I had a three ft water dragon in a cage with a 6 inch gold fish and they had a mutual respect for each other after a few encounters. have fun and enjoy

[Yemeyana]

In a 10 or 20 gallon paludarium you should be very, very careful with fish choice. Many seemingly small fish require schools or they will become stressed and unattractive, and you have to take into account that you're probably dealing with between 3 to 8 gallons of water unless you design carefully. Ten gallons is the minimum amount of water for almost every fish available, with a few exceptions i.e. Bettas and pygmy puffers, and I wouldn't think either of those would be happy with amphibians (though Bettas are notorious for having varying personalities).

I think that unless you plan carefully and/or use a bigger enclosure, your best bet would be to dedicate it to your amphibian. It is worth noting that shrimps and Thai micro crabs (a 'new discovery' of mine - check ebay) will be comfortable, though I'm not sure how they'd get on with an amphib. Even if they aren't compatiable, some clever designing might let you separate them in the same tank; just be wary of how this limits their space.

[korykj]

some clever designing might let you separate them in the same tank; just be wary of how this limits their space.[/quote]

that gave me an idea just put the fish under a sceen and it can have that part and he livard can have the top

[Yemeyana]

Bear in mind that could bring maintenance complications. I assume by 'screen' you mean something between a net and the stuff chameleon cages are made of? You need to be wary that some fish need to breathe air (bettas and gouramis) and almost ALL fish need oxygen in the water, which comes from the water's surface moving whilst in contact with air.

I'm not saying you shouldn't, but these are things to take into account.

What I was thinking was more along the lines of creating a 'natural' impassable barrier - and aesthetic rock wall, or a divide blocked by plants.

If it is your first time, and you only have a 10 or 20 gallon enclosure, I would strongly discourage you from mixing animals. However, if you're anything like me you'll ignore my warning, in which case - be careful, and only go ahead if you're sure it won't be detrimental to the animals and/or you have the means to isolate and return an animal that doesn't 'work'.

A really great animal keeper is one who knows how to provide for the animal's needs whilst also making a good-looking display. I don't pretend to be one of those yet...