Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, so I have a friend who has a few different kind of darts and she has been answering alot of my questions and sending me good info and sites, but I am looking for as much info as I can possibly get! I will be researching them for the next few months before I get any, but I am going to build a rack for my snakes now, so I have some NICE sized aquariums that I would love to turn into lush tropical vivs! I at least want one viv with something (probably darts) and I am thinking of making a nice Viv for a brazillian rainbow boa too. I was thinking of taking one of the 75-100 gallon aquariums and slitting it into 3-4 different dart Vivs, or one big community of darts!

I have noticed alot of vivs that have a nice water feature and I would LOVE to have a nice setup like that, but I hear Darts are not good with deeper water. Is there any that can? Is there any other species you could suggest that can handle deeper water? Maybe even something that needs both land and water? I might be willing to scratch the deep water though and go with a trickling stream or something though, Darts are too amusing.

Anyway, I would really like more info on specific darts, I am pretty set on Auras, but my husband likes Tincs. I want something that is (for the most part) terrestrial, space isn't too big of an issue, I would prefer that they do good in groups, but if I have to, I can do a pair here and there (seperated), I plan on making the Vivs pretty dense with plants, hides, rocks, wood, moss, just about anything that I can fit, but still have an area of open space.

Trying to add as much info as I can here, but I can't think straight so if you have any other questions, please just ask!

Thanks in advance for all of your help!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Welcome to the addiction!

I have deep water 6" in one of my tanks with no problems. There are issues with fighting amoung females of some species with drowning, but overall, there aren't problems.

My advice to you is to start small. Not that you can't handle something big. It is just that the picture in your head of the perfect tank can sometimes be hard to flesh out. I would practice on a ten gallon tank before doing anything around 75-100. Ripeing great stuff out of tank is near impossible.

As far as good frogs, you can't beat leucs. They are bold, do well in groups, and are terrestrial mostly, but will also use the tops of the terrarium as well.
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Josh Willard
www.joshsfrogs.com

Yeah, my husband brought me home a small beta type aquarium, and I have a little 5 gallon, I would probably tinker with those for a while, once they were growing I would house the Juvis in there while I was working on a bigger one.

I checked out the Leucs, we just don't like them. I am in love with the Auras and my husband likes Tincs, not too many others (that would be acceptable for beginners) appeal to us.

Do you know of anything besides Darts that would do well in the same type of enviroment?
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

should be fine. They are both considered beginner type darts. I would caution against keeping them them both in the same tank, as it seems to be a big no-no. You also have to make sure that you have enough space for each frog (5 gallons minimum). Sometimes the females will fight, so provide lots of space with lots of ground cover, etc. for them to have a visual barrier.
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phflame
kingsnake.com host

Thanks, yeah I didn't plan on mixing them, still not sure what I will be doing, but I will make sure to keep everything I learn in mind as I choose. I am still looking for other possible species that would do well in a similar environment, even if I do get Darts, I have alot of tanks to tinker with!
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Dart frogs can all swim and don't drown in deep water as long as they have a fairly easy access to land. The drowning incidences have been documented in shallow water, where one frog, usually a female tinctorius, holds another female under water and drowns her in a wrestle fight for breeding or territory. But in deep water, they can't do this. Each has to swim away for their lives. As usual, I agree with Josh all the way. For first frogs, you can't beat the Dendrobates leucomelas. They are relatively inexpensive to purchase, are colorful, active, and get along in groups without a lot of territorial hassle. After that, there are all kinds of them to keep and enjoy. But leucs are a perfect introduction.

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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
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus