There are many reasons for not mixing Dendrobatids with another genus. Competition for food and space, different temperature and humidity requirements, different lighting requirements are just a few. I've seen a photo of a green anole swallowing a thumbnail dart. It certainly wouldn't be advisable to try in a small tank. Most people don't even advise mixing different species of darts, although it's done successfully by some experienced breeders.



We've been arguing the mixing question for as long as I've been in the hobby. To check on the pro's and con's you can click on the search and type in "mixing." But my advice is as always, enjoy your first darts separately. My own mixing experiences have been in a large palludarium with land and waterways/aquarium sections containing small fish. This has been highly successful, except when I added some red clawed crabs that climbed onto the land, ate the vegetation and annoyed the frogs, although they didn't hurt them. You could also try a small circulating pool with a couple of African Dwarf Frogs, but that would cut your land area down considerably.



How many frogs depends upon the size of the frogs, their differing territorial requirements and aggressive characters. The larger frogs I keep such as the leucomelas, terribilis, auratus and galactonotus utilize all levels of the terrariums. All of mine seem to get along well in groups, but these tanks are 80 gallons or more. I have bred the thumbnail imitators in small groups, and this is great fun to watch. They may raise a few tads to maturity, (although there will be a lot of fights and egg-eating,) and I think they are more bold and active in groups. Pumilios are very territorial and do best in single pairs unless your tank is large enough so that they can stay well separated. I have my four D. reticulatus and the D. fantasticus in separate 30 gallon terrariums. They are breeding and laying eggs and seem to always be out and about. 3 castaneoticus (I lost one) are in a 30 gallon. I find them extremely shy, so they wouldn't be much fun for someone new to the hobby. They are also expensive.



Homer likes the tincs-- I haven't tried them yet. Keep in mind that the cheaper frogs are often the most entertaining as well as colorful. They are also usually among the more hardy and easy to keep. Save the rare, expensive ones for later. (Once you get into darts, there most likely WILL be more to come.)



Good luck and welcome to a great hobby.
-----
Patty

Pahsimeroi, Idaho



4 D. auratus blue

5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back

5 D. imitator

6 D. leucomelas

4 D. pumilio Bastimentos

4 D. fantasticus

4 P. terribilis

4 D. reticulatus

4 D. castaneoticus

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