R. Benedicta discussion

[tnorwood0811]

So I have researched this species and there seems to be a very limited amount of information about them. I am getting 6 of them, they are shipping out in November so I still have quite a bit of time to get ready for them. I would like to just discuss what people have heard or any kind of info related to the R. Benedictas.

[Chris Miller]

I keep my benedicta just like R. fantastica; check out the R. fantastica care sheet. All the habits/behaviors are the same except their call is much louder (almost as loud an an imitator).

Also, (like fantastica) the lower the light level on the floor of the enlcosure the more active they will be.

[tnorwood0811]

Originally Posted by Chris Miller

I keep my benedicta just like R. fantastica; check out the R. fantastica care sheet. All the habits/behaviors are the same except their call is much louder (almost as loud an an imitator).

Also, (like fantastica) the lower the light level on the floor of the enlcosure the more active they will be.

Cool! how many do you have?

[Mr. elder]

are they as bold as fantastica .my fanticasticas are both males . but there are very bold . cut plants right in front of there face and they don't move . dump spring tail right in front there face . still nothing . if there not out couple sprays with the mister .and there they come .

[Chris Miller]

Originally Posted by tnorwood0811

Cool! how many do you have?

Lots. And lots. Two groups and their love children...

Originally Posted by Mr. elder

are they as bold as fantastica

One of my males is quite bold. I see every frog nearly every day, which is sometimes rare with Ranitomeya.

[tnorwood0811]

[QUOTE=Chris Miller;644974]Lots. And lots. Two groups and their love children...

what do you keep them in? I am setting up a 90 gallon for them, but I'm thinking about switching my Tincs in there and putting the Benedictas in smaller enclosures.

[Chris Miller]

Tanks a lot smaller than 90 gallons.

Bigger is usually better, just remember to get enough food into the larger enclosures so that the prey density is high enough. Not that most people don't already overfeed, but I have seen thumbs do badly in large enclosures because they didn't get enough food.

[jbherpin]

Originally Posted by Chris Miller

Tanks a lot smaller than 90 gallons.

Bigger is usually better, just remember to get enough food into the larger enclosures so that the prey density is high enough. Not that most people don't already overfeed, but I have seen thumbs do badly in large enclosures because they didn't get enough food.

This is a consideration I have somehow overlooked, and almost presents a downside to keeping darts in huge tanks. I guess a large batch of seeders and a great many cultures constantly booming is easy for some, but I KNOW I would fall short along the line. Thanks for the perspective! It really was a good info "nugget"!

JBear

[SmackoftheGods]

There's actually been quite a bit of discussion around the board about R. benedicta. They're a new species to the US hobby, but there is lots of information out there. A large bromeliad with a few smaller peripheral broms is good. Low light in the lower levels. They are generally a particularly shy species to start out with, but they become bolder as they enter breeding phases. They're really not much different than fantasticus. Although their call is typially louder... I'm not sure I would go as far as to say imitator loudness, but it's at least noticable....

[motherfrogger]

Have you taken a look at the Zootaxa done on Benedictas and Fantasticus in 2008. You can do an internet search and it should pop up. I have learned a lot from my Benedictas. Not long ago I switched them to a very well planted tall and deep 80 gal tank and their behavior changed drastically. I also feed them fruit flies that can actually fly and they seem to like that better than the flightless ones. I see all six everyday. Love it.