"Here is my two cents on mixed species terrariums, feel free to use the information:
Mixed species terrariums are a thing of beauty and something all hobbyist dream about. It makes you feel as if you have cut away a piece of the rainforest and placed it in your home. However, even experienced dart frog hobbyists can struggle with keeping all frogs happy in a mixed species environment. In general, it is not recommended. In place of one large mixed species terrarium, the better solution is a few smaller terrariums in that same space with single species in each. Having said the above, many hobbyist will seek out the challenge of a mixed species terrarium nonetheless. It can be a satisfying and successful experience if a few tips are acknowledged.
A mixed species terrarium is possible. Remember each species inhabit a characteristic "mic ro-niche"; such as terrestrial wet and cool, OR terrestrial dry and warm, OR arboreal within a bromeliad and dry. Also each species may be bold and territorial, or bold and social, or shy and recluse. Furthermore, each individual within a species can be bold, timid, or down right schizoaffective. So in designing a mix species tank you need to plan specifically for the needs of each species beforehand.
In addition, you need to provide more space and "micro-niches" to support a mixed species environment. You also should not put particularly shy species with bold species, especially if both utilize the same "micro-niche" requirements and space. You need to feed more and be more observant. If an individual frog is looking thin, it will need to be removed in order to prevent demise. Also, when introducing frogs together, make sure they have been quarantined especially if from different sources. They should also be similar in size if they inhabit similar niches in the terrarium.
For those that want to set-up an "indigenous mixed-species terrarium", here are a few brief suggestions. Such terrariums&nbs p;start with finding a variety of indigenous plants from the area you choose to recreate. Then you create the niches necessary to house the species of frogs you choose. For example, if you wish to do a "Costa Rican Vivarium" you would create a vivarium for Green & Black auratus, Phyllobates lugubris and Blue Jean pumilio to thrive together. If you decided on a "Guyanan exhibit", you could keep tinctorius with ventrimaculatus. For Brazil, galactonotus with Brazil-nut thumbnail frogs. For Peru, azurieventris, bassleri or trivattatus with imitator. For Ecuador, anthonyi or tricolor with vents. In these examples, the species chosen are bold. Furthermore, the species inhabit different space in the terrarium, i.e. one species is terrestrial and one is more arboreal. In all cases the temperature and humidity requirements are the same.
If the endigenous aspect is not an important limitation you can mix species that do well in groups like galacts, auratus, bicolor, terribilis, leucomelas with a pair of tincts, azureus or even a bold arboreal thumbnail. A pair of bold D.azureus along with a three or four orange galacs or yellow leucomelas tend to offer a striking and contrasting combination. A group of Phyllobates terribilis or bicolor mixed with a bold thumbnail frog such as D. imitator provides a great size contrast among dart frogs. The terribilis is the largest dart frog and is a terrestrial frog will generally ignore small arboreal thumbnail frogs i n the same terrarium. Dendrobates tinctorius and D. azureus dart frogs can often be raised together in groups, however as adults, same sexed rivalries often prevail. As adult frogs, primarily females, may bully and harass other females by wrestling or squatting on the weaker female. In some cases a dominant female can kill other females in the tank. Not too mention, females will eat the eggs of other females in the same tank. Males of these species also can compete with each other but usually in more of a psychological manner and not as physical. However, I have successfully kept terrariums with azureus and tinctorius by providing space, lots of hiding spots, lots of food and a watchful eye. There are a great variety of dart frogs and many are better candidates for keeping in a group, such as E. tricolor, D. auratus, D. galactonotus, P. terribilis, P. bicolor and D. leucomelas. While these species often show similar behavior and social interactions, they usually are more tolerant of a social situation. All these suggestions are best handled by experienced hobbyist nonetheless. Also note that the hobby frowns upon interbreeding different color or locality forms of the same species, so we never recommend keeping these together. The fear is that interbreeding can contaminate the gene pool and frogs can be misrepresentated in the hobby.
Individuals of diffedrent species can be mixed with the above information in mind. However, when you keep a single specimen of any particular species you miss out on many of the joys of keeping dart frogs. Even if you keep many single specimens of many different species. The behaviors that these frogs of the same species (and especially opposite sex) display toward one another is awesome to watch. Even if you do not want to breed the frogs, I recommend keeping at least a pair of each species in a terrarium. You will provide yourself with an endless amount of joy by watching these interactions.
Design the terrarium with the species in mind. For terrestrial species, such as, auratus, azureus, leucomelas and tinctorius, provide a terrarium with more ground space than height. Arboreal species, such as, “thumbnails,” ventrimaculatus, pumilio, and fantasticus prefer tall terrariums that offer multiple platform and plant=2 0levels and a combination of ground space and height should be provided for species, such as, galactonotus, tricolor and other semi-arboreal species.
Regardless of your ultimate goal, your specie selection should be based on aesthetics, behavior and size. Do you want a large ground-dweller that displays well in a planted terrarium, or would you prefer a smaller frog that can be seen resting delicately on the tip of a bromeliad axil? Which color most captures your interest; blue, red, or the contrast of lemon-yellow on a jet black background? Do you want a uniformly colored-frog or one displaying multiple colors, patterns, dots or reticulated patterns? Would you prefer a specie whose care requires little expertise or one that presents a challenge to maintain? Would you enjoy a frog with a bold, commanding demeanor, or one that is socially and communally interactive? Would you prefer a frog whose call is especially melodic, or one whose call is shrill and rhythmical? The choices are endlessly exciting! "
Sean
. The point is not to add to the clutter of active hybrid threads.
