small critters for a 75 gal tank

carsonc · #1 07-01-2010, 01:44 AM

First post so hello

to all.
I currently have a 75 gal planted fresh water tank than will need to be torn down soon. I was wondering if there are any really small criters that would be happy in a vivarium that size. (48 X 18 X 20 high)
I would like to be able to have a small group rather than 1 or 2 larger criters
I think that if they are smaller their world will seem a little larger and not as restricted. It could be dry as in a desert type or wet like a jungle.
I have had aquariums for a long time (50 years) and have been successful with many types, from 20 gal goldfish to 100 gal reef tanks but never a vivarium.
Please let me know what you think

Grimm · #2 07-01-2010, 02:22 AM

That tank would be perfect for a group of terrestrial dart frogs. Leucomelas do very well in large groups, and Imitators do well also, both of which are beginner species of dart.

Kharma · #3 07-01-2010, 05:27 PM

For the longest i had a 75 chinese water dragon tank. I had built a canopy of screen that he would love to climb on. I also used to take the lizard on walks though...so he wasn't all cramped up the whole time

Grimm was right those are both good to start with.

carsonc · #4 07-01-2010, 11:54 PM

thanks for the replies I am off to find out what a "Leucomelas " is.
Carson

beckdg · #5 07-02-2010, 09:10 AM

welcome to the site carson.

Vermfly · #6 07-02-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carsonc

thanks for the replies I am off to find out what a "Leucomelas " is.
Carson

He's referring to Dendrobates leucomelas, aka the yellow-banded poison dart frogs. They are beautiful frogs and the males have a nice call that sounds like a trilling bird. With a 75 gallon tank you could have a nice group of 5-7 frogs.

carsonc · #7 07-03-2010, 01:46 AM

I found some pics of the little guys and they are very colorful, I may end up doing the tank with them.
I was looking around and there are some small lizards that are nice looking.
I would like for the tank to look different, now it is a planted fresh water tank and looks a lot like a vivarium - terarium except the water is deeper.
A desert look would be fun if I could find some creatures that would live in it without eating each other. (the reason I got out of the reef tank -everything in the ocean is trying to eat each other even the coral)
No snakes or spiders.

beckdg · #8 07-03-2010, 07:56 AM

dwarf chams

Vermfly · #9 07-03-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carsonc

I was looking around and there are some small lizards that are nice looking.

If you want nice looking lizards I'd go with some day geckos. There are a couple kinds that are incredible looking. Phelsuma klemmeri (neon day gecko) and Lygodactylus williamsi (electric blue day gecko) are both awesome little lizards.

carsonc · #10 07-04-2010, 01:24 AM

Thanks for the ideas.
I went to a couple of reptile / exotic pet stores today and looked at the small lizards. Some of them were interesting but the thing that was disturbing was the smell at one of the stores. There animals looked healthy enough but they should do something about that smell.
At the other shop that did not stink they had used a rough looking material on the floor of the cages, I would have thought the bottom side of these little guys would damaged by such a rough material. They had several types in one enclosure and they did not seem bothered by this.
Well I am off to look up dwarf chams and day geckos.
Thanks again for your help.
Carson