Best beginner dart?

[andersonii85]

At the request of Ryan I have decided to start a poll. Everyone feel free to chime in.

Thanks!

Justin

I think the best beginner is a few books and a visit to a breeders house. After that there are very few that a person would not be ready for. The larger spp are a nice buffer for a few mistakes, but the small ones aren't any harder if conditions are right.
j

[Dancing frogs]

I agree with Justin. Check out all the websites, research for a few months, get used to raising flies, etc.. Build you're Viv...and get the frogs you really want...Make sure they are captive bred though (for a first frog).

[geckguy]

I voted for leucs because of their call, and they arent shy. But all thoose are good starter frogs, except maybe the vents because mine seem a bit on the shy side. The most important thing is a frog that will keep the hobbyist interest so they dont get bored and forget about the frogs.

hmmm...my vents are like ping pong balls they never seem to stop moving and are almost always out in the open.

[geckguy]

Mine are out and about some of the time, but they arent nearly as bold as some of the tincs, azureus, or terribilis.

Being I am a beginner (2 months), I really shouldn't be in this poll, however I did select D. leucomelas.

These are also the frogs I have.

Reasons for my choice:
[Size]: not to big, yet not to small (my interest is thumbnails after getting more experience).
[Boldness]: wanted a frog that wasn't going to be to shy! (I have several specie of shy frogs. None darts)
[Group]: wanted as a first dart frog a specie that I didn't have to worry about females fighting or males fighting in small groups.
[Color]: D. leucomelas have a bold color combo with nice patterns. They also stand out in the vivarium.
[Vertical and Horizonal Space]: They will climb as well as use the ground.
[Availability/Cost ratio]: they are readily available for a reasonable cost. (I don't think I could bring myself to start with a rare or endanger specie for example, no matter how much I think I might want the specie, even researching in great detail. Doing is always going to present unkowns no matter how well one prepares, IMHO)

[Bry]

I can't really say either, as I've had my first darts for only a matter of weeks. Both are D. azureus, and I think they make great beginner frogs, bold, beautiful colors, hardy, and good-sized. I have heard good things about the other species listed in the polls as well. If anything, I would probably steer beginners away from the shyer species. I would think that'd be a good way to kill one's interest in this fascinating hobby. What fun is it to build up your hopes, only to get frogs that you're never going to see. I say save the shyer species for later when the keeper has had a little more experience under their belt, JMHO.

Bry

Well my first darts where auratus, very cool frogs for being green and black. Got rid of my orginal pair long ago, with in a month I had more. I just missed them that much.
All the frogs listed are great frogs to start with, but I chose terribilis. You can't call them shy. The biggest reason I would say these guys is because of the number one reason beginners have problems with darts, culturing flies. These guys will eat bigger sized food than almost anything else, so you can run down to the local pet store and get crickets, when your cultures get mites, mold over, ect ect.
Tincs and Azureus are big frogs that like little food, so the eat a lot of flies.
Leucs are cool, and do have a nice call. Ours are not that shy, but not as bold as terribilis.
Overall, get a CB is a must for the first time dart keeper, and little back ground info.

[Ryan]

YAY! I think this will help keep repeats of posts at a minimum.

I voted for leucs, i havent had personal experience with them, but i heard wonders. Their call is one of the main things so they will beable to be sexed easily at maturity, and i hear they are pretty bold.

Also my auratus are very bold, they are always out in the open, but the bad part is i think i have 2 males :x

Ryan