Hi! I'm a beginner in the hobby, or maybe not even that, as I don't yet have frogs. I have been planning a vivarium for years and just now got around to building it. It's not completely finished and definitely needs time to settle before I add frogs anyway, but I'm very excited to do so in maybe a few months.
My setup is a 35*35*50cm vertical tank with soon-to-be plenty of light, a slow waterfall/dripwall, air circulation from a 50mm fan integrated in the background with variable intake, false bottom, a small corner of water which the frogs can definitely escape from, three different bromeliads and plenty of spots for hiding and climbing. It's probably on the smaller side for keeping frogs, but I think a small group would thrive in there.
It's a bit dark, but a pic of the setup can be seen here for more details:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBqsveqpDf-/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
And with some context in place, I have some questions:
First of all, I added springtails and dwarf white isopods a few days ago. I also received a culture of Porcellionides pruinosus, but I didn't add it, as they seem very large and active, and of course I've heard the rumours of them eating (bad?) eggs and plant roots... I don't want this thread to turn into another discussion on that topic, but should I add them for additional CUC biodiversity, or am I better off sticking to the dwarf species and springtails?
My second question is, which frogs should I add? I have narrowed it down to Ranitomeya amazonica Iquitos or R. imitator, either Varadero or Chazuta. I haven't been able to find as much information about R.amazonica, and I was really hoping that someone could help me decide which one is best suited for me:
- Obviously, I want the boldest species, which seems to be the imitators. Can the amazonicas be bold as well? They will be in my livingroom, as I'm moving into a tiny apartment, so I was hoping they could get used to human activity around them.
- I play the cello, so is either one of them more sensitive to outside noise?
- I'll be recording sometimes, so I am a bit worried about their calling. The amazonicas seem much quieter, is that correct? Is the calling every day or just in some periods? Because if it's just sometimes, I can just not record there, and that should be fine...
- I would like to see froglets in my setup. Preferably I would like them to just breed in the bromeliads(I would prefer not adding film canisters) and take care of the tadpoles themselves. I've heard that imitators are quite good parents, but could amazonicas breed in this setup as well?
Originally I wanted amazonica, but I have started to like the look of imitators as well. Maybe they're a bit more vibrant in pictures?
And lastly, how many frogs should I get? Is it best to have a pair or a trio, and would the existing group accept me keeping a couple of tadpoles, or would that just result in rivalry? I'm obviously not expecting to keep a large number of tadpoles, but keeping one or two that have grown up in the setup and selling the rest would be nice.
Thanks in advance
-Tobias
My setup is a 35*35*50cm vertical tank with soon-to-be plenty of light, a slow waterfall/dripwall, air circulation from a 50mm fan integrated in the background with variable intake, false bottom, a small corner of water which the frogs can definitely escape from, three different bromeliads and plenty of spots for hiding and climbing. It's probably on the smaller side for keeping frogs, but I think a small group would thrive in there.
It's a bit dark, but a pic of the setup can be seen here for more details:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBqsveqpDf-/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
And with some context in place, I have some questions:
First of all, I added springtails and dwarf white isopods a few days ago. I also received a culture of Porcellionides pruinosus, but I didn't add it, as they seem very large and active, and of course I've heard the rumours of them eating (bad?) eggs and plant roots... I don't want this thread to turn into another discussion on that topic, but should I add them for additional CUC biodiversity, or am I better off sticking to the dwarf species and springtails?
My second question is, which frogs should I add? I have narrowed it down to Ranitomeya amazonica Iquitos or R. imitator, either Varadero or Chazuta. I haven't been able to find as much information about R.amazonica, and I was really hoping that someone could help me decide which one is best suited for me:
- Obviously, I want the boldest species, which seems to be the imitators. Can the amazonicas be bold as well? They will be in my livingroom, as I'm moving into a tiny apartment, so I was hoping they could get used to human activity around them.
- I play the cello, so is either one of them more sensitive to outside noise?
- I'll be recording sometimes, so I am a bit worried about their calling. The amazonicas seem much quieter, is that correct? Is the calling every day or just in some periods? Because if it's just sometimes, I can just not record there, and that should be fine...
- I would like to see froglets in my setup. Preferably I would like them to just breed in the bromeliads(I would prefer not adding film canisters) and take care of the tadpoles themselves. I've heard that imitators are quite good parents, but could amazonicas breed in this setup as well?
Originally I wanted amazonica, but I have started to like the look of imitators as well. Maybe they're a bit more vibrant in pictures?
And lastly, how many frogs should I get? Is it best to have a pair or a trio, and would the existing group accept me keeping a couple of tadpoles, or would that just result in rivalry? I'm obviously not expecting to keep a large number of tadpoles, but keeping one or two that have grown up in the setup and selling the rest would be nice.
Thanks in advance
-Tobias