What should I put in my 55 gallon tank???

[andrew]

Hi everyone,

I'm half way done with my 55 gallon tank. Its got two land sections, will have a 2 inch or 3 inch deep, water section in between, and no background. I decided against this since the viv will not be against a wall and will be viewed from all around. I will be using a zoomed 501 external canister to keep the water healthy and moving, and turtle sand, very fine (the package says its good for amphibians too). The sand is the first layer of substrate all across the viv. I went with leca and some gravel rather than false bottom.

Anyway, I dont know what amphibian to get. I know I want an amphibian. I want something thats not a thumbnail, not ready for that yet. I want something that is preferably blue, orange, red, or if nothing else is available, yellow. I dont want dull colors. I want something that wont die if it gets above 75. Something that wont dig, though I will be putting in a large under ground cave. I dont have to get a dart frog, it could be any pretty amphibian that is hopefully not tooo difficult or expensive to find.

Thanks all.

 

[jeff]

Hmm... Maybe Fire-bellied toads? Orange Green and Black is an awesome combination, and I think they'd work fine for the set-up you've described. They're also quite hardy, can be found just about anywhere, and are quite affordable.

(Message edited by tmarmoratus on November 08, 2005)

 

[andrew]

That works great, except I already have two in one of my other vivs. Im looking for something else. Thanks though.

 

[justin]

If you wanted a dart frog, good beginner options are well started juveniles of: D. tinctorius, D. galactonotus, D. leucomelas, D. azureus, D. auratus, P. vittatus, E. tricolor, and P. terribilis to list a few. They all have morphs of colors you mentioned. Other species for consideration are fairly numerous, if you give us some more ideas of what you like more recommendations can follow. The depth of water (or lack) and the potential max temperature zone make me leery of other recommendations.
j

 

[andrew]

I dont know about the temps yet But i would guess around 70-75. I have to really study that first though. The water feature is about 12 or 13 inches wide, by 12" long, and 2 inches deep. Its got water trickling down from an over hanging branch.

More than one person has mention galacs. I will like to look into those, thanks.

 

[william]

mantellas might be an option

 

[justin]

William, you are absolutely right, perhaps even a better option. If you have slopes in the land into the water, that is actually one of the landscaping strategies for breeding them (they lay large egg masses and the tadpoles wiggle into the water). There are several species bred by hobbyists, and getting a colony of juveniles would be an economical way to start. Also, the occassional lower temperatures and mild warmer temperatures would suit them very well. If you are on Dendroboard, you can contact some of the breeders there. I can't think of any on the East Coast, but with temperatures as they are now shipping isn't a problem.
j

 

[jeff]

Get a newt!

 

[andrew]

Any kind of mantella??

 

[justin]

There are only a handful of species bred more regularly. Things like M. aurantiaca, M. expectata, M. betsilio, etc are usually bred. I don't pay much attention to classifieds any more, so I'm not sure. Just keep an eye out on Dendroboard and Kingsnake and you should be able to pick up a group. Again, I strongly recommend CB.
j

 

[andrew]

CB? Always, I know I dont want to deal with animals that may or may not acclimate. Thanks all. I'm thinking if I cant find a good Mantella, I'll go for a D. galactonotus