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Well, let me start off with this question. I am looking for any dendrobate/mantella/epidobate/phyllobate breeders in the Utah area. I am willing to drive to the surrounding states, possibly colorado and arizona. My focus right now is on finding some d. azureus. I hate to ship, but I guess I will if I have to. So, if anyone can tell me of any breeders/dealers in this general area, please do.
As for my second topic, I recently had a female mantella aurantiaca die. I had observed her eating the day before, she had been very active, and had NO signs of illness that I could see. She then died the next morning (last saturday). I found her sitting in a spot, legs at her side (which seems to be uncommon for a mantella death, they usually stretch their legs out when they die). I couldn't tell if she was dead, until I reached in to scare her, and she didn't move. I have NO idea what could have killed her. Temp and humidity were perfet, with no spikes, no contaminants came in contact, I have had her for a little over a month, she was captive breed, and never even been in contact with a wild caught. No silicone, fertilizers, or anything used in construction of her tank. The water was all out of a well established aquarium, and everything else is just perfect. She was living with 5 males, who are all doing great to this day. I then had a necropsy performed by my mom, who has her degree in zoology, and with a very high powered microscope, found NO abnormalities, such as protozoa, or parasites. The tank has good ventilation. The only thing I did find was that she was Gravid, for her first time. I don't know if this could have played a part in her death or not. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I would like to figure this out, so I can take any precautions with the 5 other males. oh yeah, I have gone through the Mantellas' bible, and have found NO diseases or illnesses that relate to this death. Thanks
Ed parker
As for my second topic, I recently had a female mantella aurantiaca die. I had observed her eating the day before, she had been very active, and had NO signs of illness that I could see. She then died the next morning (last saturday). I found her sitting in a spot, legs at her side (which seems to be uncommon for a mantella death, they usually stretch their legs out when they die). I couldn't tell if she was dead, until I reached in to scare her, and she didn't move. I have NO idea what could have killed her. Temp and humidity were perfet, with no spikes, no contaminants came in contact, I have had her for a little over a month, she was captive breed, and never even been in contact with a wild caught. No silicone, fertilizers, or anything used in construction of her tank. The water was all out of a well established aquarium, and everything else is just perfect. She was living with 5 males, who are all doing great to this day. I then had a necropsy performed by my mom, who has her degree in zoology, and with a very high powered microscope, found NO abnormalities, such as protozoa, or parasites. The tank has good ventilation. The only thing I did find was that she was Gravid, for her first time. I don't know if this could have played a part in her death or not. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I would like to figure this out, so I can take any precautions with the 5 other males. oh yeah, I have gone through the Mantellas' bible, and have found NO diseases or illnesses that relate to this death. Thanks
Ed parker
