mantella environment

[RobV]

I have a 20 gallon planted tank that has no one living in it right now, so my questions are:

1. it has a 2-3 gallon water area with water plants and driftwood sticking up - a total of ~5 inches deep - is this too deep of water to have in with mantellas?

2. I sometimes get mushrooms growing in the tank....bad for frogs?

Thanks,
Rob

[ortega]

mushrooms in the tank are ok. they are actually a good sign that your tank environment is healthy.
The specific depth of water that is recommended, i don't know. You dont want to com home one day and find one of them drowned though.

[Removed_2815]

I agree. Mushrooms are saprophytes and they derive nourishment from dead or decaying organic matter. They are present in all healthy ecosystems.
Ryan

[RobV]

Thanks... I was just worried because I've seen a lot of frogs in pet stores with fungal infections etc. and fish as well, so I wanted to double check!!

[galad]

Ya rob I pretty much had the same question awhile ago.
It turns out I can only put some newts, salamanders, or reed frogs in a semi-aquatic terrarium.
So I have decided to lower the water level by adding a bunch of river stones to the aquatic side. And then will prob be placing a bunch of aquatic plants to make a floating platform. Hopefully it will be enough.

I dont want to think i spent all that time drilling that stupid hole in the bottom for nothing lol. But I'm sure it will make water changes much easier.

If you want to do the same I could hook you up with the bit I used.

Are you able to get mantellas in at the store?

peace

wade

[RobV]

Yeah, here's a pic of the tank they would *potentially* go into:
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/455320GallonPlantedTank.JPG
(The red eye in there is fake)

I mean, the water are is not huge - but I still wanted to make sure. I've heard that they're poor swimmers, so it would be unadvisable to have deep water....


Wade - yeah they're on the list - Painted Mantella.

Rob

[ortega]

adding river rocks would be a good idea, because the water section is nice and that would be a good way to keep it, and also have shallow water

[Double J]

That is an ideal setup for mantellas. Excellent work. Mantellas do swim, though they *cannot fight current.* With a simple airstone and some moss-filled film canisters on the shore of the water area, they will likely breed with a sizeable enough group. You could easily house 6 painted mantellas in there, as the tank is well planted and seems to have a variety of visual barriers. Just make sure there is plenty for the frogs to clamber upon and get out of the water. Again, the water level in your vivarium is fine, just make sure there is *no current* at that depth. And as others have said, fungus is an entirely natural part of a healthy vivarium. With mantellas, you have no need to worry about humidity related fungal infections. Frogs that are more prone to these are generally Hylids as well as other frogs that require far more ventilation than necessary for a mantella or dart.

Good luck

[galad]

wow rob, that is an awsome set up dude.
lol it looks so much bigger then a 20 gallon.
Ill have to come by and check out the price on those frogs.
Now I cannot wait to get mine set up lol.

peace

ws