some q's

[ded dex]

I have a 30 gal tall aquarium that I would like to convert to a reptile or amphibian tank. I was thinking about dart frogs or newts or a combination if that is possible.

I am looking for a good show tank with bright animals, preferably a tank with multiple animals and species. is it possible to keep more than one species of darts together or do they fight, if it is how many will fit in this tank? if only one species how many.

can newts and darts be kept together?

is there a good combination of different species and types of amphibians that can be kept in the same tank without problems or will they not mix whatsoever?

thanks for any replies

[snakers55]

It isn't a great idea to mix species really, if you can avoid it.. One large complication I can see with the frogs and newts is that the frogs like it very warm, and the newts temperature should not rise above the high 70's..

[nat_the_brat]

also newts are aquatic and darts aren't the best swimmers... plus if its a tall terrarium it leaves less ground space and since both are terrestrial / aquatic and not aboreal they would be competeing for the same space. I would say concentrate on one and make an awesome environment for them

[Double J]

When you mix species in such a manner, you are bound to have New World Syndrome be a problem for you and your animals. Below is an excerpt from the following website:

http://www.livingunderworld.org/amphibianArticles/article0007.htm

"The most common reason amphibians become ill in a mixed species environment is due to the introduction of foreign pathogens from species from different areas of the world. In the wild, species are exposed to numerous local pathogens, such as bacteria or virus strains, fungi, and other harmful agents, and through evolution have developed natural resistances/immunities to them. However, because these pathogens vary greatly from one location to another, the natural resistances developed by a species also varies greatly and is dependent on that species immediate habitat. Again, the case of European invasion and the effect of European pathogens on Native Americans can be referenced. For example, a newt from the United States, such as N. viridescens, will have developed resistances to different pathogens than a species from another environment, such as the Chinese Fire Belly newt, C. orientalis. A species will still carry the pathogens for which it has natural resistances to, so when one species is introduced to a foreign species, those pathogens and other harmful agents are inevitably being introduced to each species, which typically ends up in the illness or death of one or both due to their lack of natural resistances (i.e. New World Syndrome). Pet stores often house several salamander and newt, and sometimes frog, species in one tank, which gives pet buyers the idea that amphibians are community animals and coexist in a closed environment with other species. Unfortunately, these animals are often ill when purchased and die shortly after due to their mixed-species environment. It is true that some have mixed certain species with no ill effects for several years, but it is very risky doing so, and not the behavior of responsible keepers. "



Again, do a full reading of the article in the above link. It will save yourself and your amphibians tons of hassle (and will inevitably prevent them from dying quickly in your care).

Let's not forget also that Dart frogs are tropical animals, and most species prefer temperatures in the mid 70's. Newts generally do not thrive unless kept in the mid 60's, and many species will become stressed if kept above the high 60's for long.

Let us also not forget that many newt species can be incredibly aggressive, and will likely remove a leg or two from the dart frogs. Plus, the toxins naturally produced by the newts wil likely kill the darts over time.
Read the article in this next link below in species mixing disasters:

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/Mixing_disasters.shtml


Species mixing by the novice (As well as many zoos and professonals) almost always ends in disaster. Any other keeers who tell you they have done it "successfully" have either been EXTREMELY lucky, or have not had the tank running for long. Anything under 4-5 years is not long to me. There was one zoological institute that kept eyelash vipers and dart frogs together for NINE YEARS! However, after this nine years, the vipers suddenly decided to begin eatng the dart frogs. Therefore a few months is not long to deem a mixed tank as successful.

Nobody has ever convinced me that the animals will benefit from a mixed tank. There is really no good reason for it.

Stick to one species per tank. You will have a much more rewarding experience!

[ded dex]

I have decided to keep the dart frogs only, is it possible to mix species of dart frog? are there terrestrial and arboreal dart frogs that could coexist? how many frogs in a tank this size?

Thanks for all the help
Tyler

[Double J]

A 30 gallon tall tank is not nearly large enough for a successful dart frog mixed tank, especially if you are new to dart frogs. Dart frogs can be incredibly terriorial, and some species are far more aggressive than others in terms of feeding and territory. Little imitators may bully far larger frogs than they are.
If you are new to dart frogs, stick to a sinlge species. There are a large number of problems that are to be encountered. Plus, the last things you want are hybirds. They have been a thorn in the side of a number of breeders.
If you want a splash of color in your tank, you may enjoy Dendrobates tinctorius. They are yellow, blue and black. Many morphs are exceptionally bold, and are quite hearty. Plus, there are plenty of naturally occuring color phases to choose from.
Below is a link outlining a number of tinc morphs that are in the hobby. There is something for everyone.

http://www.tropical-experience.nl/tinctorius.php?menu=1&submenu=0

Good luck

[ded dex]

can the different morphs of these species be kept together? if of similar size of course

[Double J]

No, you cannot house different morphs of the same species together. You will have hybridization occur, which is incredibly unethical in every way with respect to poison dart frogs.
There are no responsible dart frog keepers in the hobby that condone dart frog hybrids. Many of these morphs are far too rare in the hobby to pollute the bloodlines. For a number of morphs, the natural habitat is actually lost due to deforestation.

Stick to one species ded dex. Keeping one species and or morph per tank is the only responsible way about it.

[ded dex]

Thanks for all the help double j i am going to go with one tinctorious morph, not sure which one yet