Quarantine housing?

chibisan · #1 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 01:07 PM

So, I work at an aquarium and we are going to be adding dart frogs to one of our new exhibits. And I'm in charge of it. I've been doing a lot of research on their vivarium and food etc., but have had a hard time finding any info on the quarantine housing.
We will probably be getting around 6 frogs. So I'm wondering how to go about quarantining them. If they all come from the same source, is it okay to house some of them together right off the bat? And if so, should I split them in half so that the smaller quarantine tank isn't crowded? Or will this make problems for later on when they're put in their final vivarium?
Also, what type of tank/container should I use? I've seen some mention just a small rubbermaid container and others use those small plastic reptile houses. I'm just not sure what to do.
And along the same lines, what is the normal method of keeping them warm enough? I could understand if they were in a glass 10gal tank that I could just put up some lights or something to keep them warm enough, but I didn't know how that worked if using a plastic container.
Thanks so much!

bellerophon · #2 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 02:13 PM

What aquarium do you work for? hard to believe they don't already have similar guidelines for other amphibians that you could adapt from. I think a good place to start would be to look through the ASN Quarantine and Medical Protocols. Tree Walkers International is an invaluable source for institutions just getting into amphibians. Where do you plan on getting the animals from, which ones and why? If you'd like to work along with out Species Selection Subcommittee and Commercial Amphibian Conservation Group we might be able to help guide you in the right directions.

feel free to message me on IM and we'll be able to address your questions a little more thoroughly

chibisan · #3 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 03:43 PM

I work for the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth MN. So pretty much all of the other amphibians we have are local and don't need such warm of temperatures. We're expanding our Amazon exhibit so this is where they will fit in the scheme of things.
If you can recommend a good place to get frogs, then by all means do. I'm here to learn. My boss wanted Azureus but I informed her that really they only do good by themselves or in pairs from what I have read. Especially since this is our first time working with dart frogs. So perhaps some leucomelas or something else? I'm open to suggestions.

bellerophon · #4 (**permalink**) 04-06-2008, 05:02 PM

okeydoke, sit tight and I'll put you in touch with a few people that can help out. Its a little slow since everyone is at the North American Amphibian Conference.

HappyHippos1 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 02:01 AM

For a zoo exhibit it'd probably be best to get a wide variety of color to have the 'wow' effect. For instance, 2 leucs (yellow and black), 2 auratus (blues) and 2 auratus (greens). Most of the auratus do well in groups and they seem to have a large range of morphs available.

Also depending on the tank size a trio of Azureus might not be a bad idea.

Lastly so I don't get crucified ... don't breed a mixed species tank!

Ed · #6 (**permalink**) 04-07-2008, 02:51 AM

You can send me a pm and I can help you with the set up and housing if you wish. I've been working with D. tinctorius in a Zoo setting for almost 15 years now (Philadelphia Zoo)... (and just an FYI, azureus are no longer a seperate species, they are now one of the tinctorius.)

Ed