tank size and aggression and what to get?

[btcope]

hi guys,

i'm currently in the planting phase of my first viv. started out life as a 55 gal, but w/ my pond in the corner and my greatstuff wall and my false bottom and sectioned area for the pump on the side, its really like 20-25 gallons of usable frog space.

is this the # i should use when purchasing and thinking of how many and what frogs to get? (i'm going to wait a few months, but i'm excited and want to plan!)

i really love powder blue tincs or azureus, but I'm scared of female-female aggression and haven't really found a concrete answer on how many frogs i should buy for a space this size or how much of an issue aggression will be in this kind of environment.

any advice? i may just wimp out and get leucs b/c from what i've read, they seem to be easy as pie about everything... but my heart wants blue frogs.

thanks in advance,
brett

[yumpster]

I would say go with leucs. Even with the GS, pond, and false bottom, you could still have 5-6 leucs in that size tank easily. The vertical space in a 55 gallon tank would be well used by leucs too. Tincs would be a different story as you can never guarantee they won't be aggressive at least sometimes.

Leucs would be a great beginner frog to learn how everything works and figure everything out. You can always get a 20-30 gallon tank later for a pair of tincs.

If you do decide to get a group of tincs, I would be cautious with more than 3.

[SmackoftheGods]

I'm not sure my tincs will ever be able to compare to my leucs.

This being said, if you want blue frogs, go for it. Although, I'd only recommend getting two. If you get adults you can probably get a pair, if you get froglets then you probably wouldn't have to worry about aggression even if you do end up with two females....

[boogsawaste]

Pictures would definitely help. There is a difference between useable space and just empty space too. Like a 55 gallon doesn't have a ton of floor space because they are so narrow. If you hardscaped well that will make a very big difference. My azureus are also like little monkeys as long as it's easy for them to reach the upper levels of the tank (which mine is like 27" tall) they will use it.

[btcope]

here's what i started with...



here's where i am now. i have a couple broms, ferns and epiphytes from cloudjungle on the way.



i'd like to find another branch to go across the middle somewhere, but there's a shortage of good driftwood available around here. i measured the usable area today and I have floorspace of 10" x 42", the height is about 12" to the top (i had to go deep on the false bottom b/c the waterline needed to be above my submersible filter)...

everyone seems to really like their luecs, maybe that's the answer. i guess just the original intent of this hobby was blue frogs so that's why i want them. on the other hand, a big group would be really nice and i like the idea of audible calling...

so funny, i've been reading this site for almost a year and i've only seen darts in person one time! the aquarium here in long beach and a b/b auratus (beautiful), but i only saw the tip of his nose sticking out of a cocohut and i fell for him.

do you guys know how these species are at parenting? I'd like to leave eggs/tads alone and let nature take its course if at all possible.

thanks for the thoughts,
brett