red eyes and crabs

piepants · #1 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 08:27 AM

hey everyone
i was wondering if i could get both a red eyed tree frog AND hermit crabs (not strawberies) in the same ex-terra vivarium. ive done my research and cant see any real reason why they cant be kept together.
herit crabs and red eyes both have the same humidity and heat and substrate requirements, but my main consern is if they hurt each other.
also id lik to know which exo terra vivarium is better
60x45x45
60x45x60
im hopping no one has any real objections to thisas i think it would be quite nice to have them both in the same viv.
ok cheers fr your help
tom

Jason · #2 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 01:35 PM

Keep the crab well fed and hope the frog does not land within pinching distance. My friend had a RETF and 2 hermits in the same 55 gallon tank for 2 years without a problem. then one day he noticed the crab had the frog by the hind leg. 2 months later frog was dead and the crabs still kicking... The moral of this story is Crabs are stupid and have pinchers and frogs are squishy. i wouldnt suggest it

rudd03 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 01:41 PM

As for you tank question, BIGGER is always better no matter what direct it's bigger in. For arborial frogs, a taller tank is more play room. Good luck!

Green Ghost · #4 (**permalink**) 05-31-2008, 08:53 PM

I've kept hermit crabs and the ones I've had could crush a pencil. Usually if they catch something they will not release it, especially if it's struggling.

I do have some mixed tanks (and you probably already know that mixing species is not such a popular subject on here and other forums) but this mix I would not recommend - even if the heat and humidity requirements are similar.

Remember that crabs are arthropods and basically move the same way insects do. Frogs are attracted to movement like that and will investigate when they are hungry......

knighty · #5 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 07:10 PM

NO WAY

just because humidity and temps match up does not mean that a mix is possible. lions and zebras have the same requirments but you wouldnt mix them!

not only is there the chance of the crab getting the frog, the setups are different and the frogs are nocturnal. the crabs excrement could be harmful to the frog, not to mention what the crab could do to the water.

my advice..... forget this idea!

Rainfrog · #6 (**permalink**) 06-05-2008, 08:37 AM

Many Hermit crabs need brackish water and this would not be good for the frog. crabs will also like a sandier substrate than a frog would usualy like. Some one on here (can never remember who) put some red eyes in a tank with a electric blue crawdad in the water. I told them it was dangerous but they said the craw was slow and the frogs were never in the water. Well sure enough a frog got in that water and that slow old Crawdad got himself some dinner. best to avoid putting frogs in with pinchy crushy critters.