Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi does anyone know of breeders or keepers in the Southern California area? I'm thinking of getting into darts or mantellas and would like to see some breeders set ups to learn how they maintain them.

Thanks,

Ian

hey Ian,

I live in So Cal and its extremely hard to find a good breeder here. My suggestion is Internet, advice from this Forum, and IRBA show in July. I recently purchased my first Darts in the last show and met a breeder from Orange county. He is pretty cool and he said he would be at the next show in July. He sells set ups already built at good prices and always gives great advice. Hope this helps.

cresty

Cresty,

Thanks for the help. I've got kind of an interesting thought on building a set up that will house up to four groups/ pairs of frogs in individual sets ups, yet are contained in one main tank, sharing a common sump, misters, lighting and heating. I was hoping to find someone that would let me take a look at their set ups as well as see how they manage their set ups on a daily basis.

I've found a bunch of stuff on the net about setting them up, but usually find the info and pictures are very basic and general and am usually left with more questions than were answered.

For example how is humidity dealt with? Are misters or drippers being used? If yes, are they off a regulated water source? or are they done using a bucket type arrangement? Are pools provided? What type of lighting is used? Heating? How are these three things integrated - heating, lighting & misting/drip into a day/night cycle? How do you handle fertilizing plants? Should you build the tank, plant it and let it establish prior to introducing frogs?

Unfortunately, I'm out of town (tentatively) when the July IRBA show is going on. Bummer is that the Fairplex is about 10 minutes from my place so that's a drag.

Any thoughts you might have would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to see picts of your frogs and set ups.

Ian

>>hey Ian,
>>
>>
>> I live in So Cal and its extremely hard to find a good breeder here. My suggestion is Internet, advice from this Forum, and IRBA show in July. I recently purchased my first Darts in the last show and met a breeder from Orange county. He is pretty cool and he said he would be at the next show in July. He sells set ups already built at good prices and always gives great advice. Hope this helps.
>>
>>cresty

cresty,
Sorry to jump in. I went to both shows and saw lots of pdf's. Can you tell me which vendor was from So.CAL?
Julie

hey julie,

His name is Lee Nowak and he runs "infrogneato" his website is not functioning yet but Im sure it will be up soon. I spoke to him last week about getting some darts and he's super cool. I believe he's located in Laguna Nigel area. It's a semi drive but for the prices and the age of the darts, you cannot go wrong. If you have any other questions let me know.

cresty

>>hey julie,
>>
>>
>> His name is Lee Nowak and he runs "infrogneato" his website is not functioning yet but Im sure it will be up soon. I spoke to him last week about getting some darts and he's super cool. I believe he's located in Laguna Nigel area. It's a semi drive but for the prices and the age of the darts, you cannot go wrong. If you have any other questions let me know.
>>
>>cresty

cresty,
Thank you. I grabbed a card from their table at the show in Pomona. You're right, the site isn't up yet. Laguna is a bit of a trek but, I like it there so it is worth the drive. I hope he gets the site up, it would be nice to have a semi close person to deal with. Thanks again.
Julie

Your welcome..

I've been wanting to go pick up some darts from him, most likely next week so if your close by we can always carpool if you wish. it's a long way and gas prices bite so if your interested let me know. Or I believe theres a show coming up incase you think Im a weirdo or something. LOL

Hey:

Isn't Pumilio.Com in Southern Cal? I have Imitators from Tor Linbo's line coming out of my ears. Perhaps I ought to go to the show, but then I worry where they are going to go and if people are going to keep the breeding clean. It is nicer to meet people in person so I hope this breeder goes to the show. When is the show? What kind of frogs did he have?

Maggie

hey maggie,

I believe he will be at this upcoming show in July. He had Azureus, Leucs, cintrollena, and I think 2 other kinds. He's very helpful and over pretty reliable. Hey ur in southern cal too??? what do you sell????

Pumilio.Com is actually in San Diego, way too far for me to drive to. Especially since the prices are the same everywhere else. I try to look for good animals (a little older than 4 moonths out of water) and great prices for groups. I dont like spending more than 100 for a trio of anything.

>>Your welcome..
>>
>> I've been wanting to go pick up some darts from him, most likely next week so if your close by we can always carpool if you wish. it's a long way and gas prices bite so if your interested let me know. Or I believe theres a show coming up incase you think Im a weirdo or something. LOL

Hahaha, thanks for the offer. Next week is a little soon for me. Heck, I'm not even sure what I want. I have an idea or two but, I don't have any tanks completed yet. Do you happen to know what he has? P.S. I would have brought a body guard with me.
Julie

LOL!!!!!!!!

very cute. Im not exactly sure which types he has, I think its Azureus, Leucs, Cintrolles, and ? Not to sure what else. Sorry about sounding a bit pressuring, I just get like that when I get a new pet. Im upto about 80 some pets right now and counting so I love animals. Shows in July, drop by and check it out.

P.S.S WOw you need a body guard.....its ok...I was bringing one myself. lol

>>LOL!!!!!!!!
>>
>> very cute. Im not exactly sure which types he has, I think its Azureus, Leucs, Cintrolles, and ? Not to sure what else. Sorry about sounding a bit pressuring, I just get like that when I get a new pet. Im upto about 80 some pets right now and counting so I love animals. Shows in July, drop by and check it out.
>>
>>P.S.S WOw you need a body guard.....its ok...I was bringing one myself. lol

Ok, so it sounds like there will be 4 of us going. LMAO.

Why is it that we haven't gotten a Southern Cal Dart Frog Association going already? I'm in the Pasadena area. Where are you guys? I'm keeping only Leucs and Imitators presently in the Dart family. But my Imitators from Tor Linbo are the talk right now. I'm trying to think of a way to slow down production until there are suitable homes and new tanks to set up new groups. I haven't sold any in the past, but now am looking at helping others set up new groups of Imitators to breed to keep the line going. I don't have the room to keep all the new babies so I guess I am going to have to sell some and it sounds like the show might be the place to go, but if we had a southern Cal club, that would be even better so we could help one another be more successful. Well, see you guys in July.

Maggie

>>Why is it that we haven't gotten a Southern Cal Dart Frog Association going already? I'm in the Pasadena area. Where are you guys? I'm keeping only Leucs and Imitators presently in the Dart family. But my Imitators from Tor Linbo are the talk right now. I'm trying to think of a way to slow down production until there are suitable homes and new tanks to set up new groups. I haven't sold any in the past, but now am looking at helping others set up new groups of Imitators to breed to keep the line going. I don't have the room to keep all the new babies so I guess I am going to have to sell some and it sounds like the show might be the place to go, but if we had a southern Cal club, that would be even better so we could help one another be more successful. Well, see you guys in July.
>>
>>Maggie

Maggie,
I am in the Riverside area and I have been to both IRBA shows. LLL Reptile had the most frogs at the shows. I would love it if a group for the So. Cal. area where to form. I have no experience in breeding frogs. I am keeping Leucs.Terribilis, painted mantella, WHT's and RETF's. Looking to expand on the dart frog arena. Are Imitators hard to keep?
Julie

Hi Julie:

I got the Imitators shortly after I got my first "beginner" pair which turned out to be less hardy then the "more sensitive" Imitators that everyone seemed to warn that they were. I have found that the Imitators were FAR more hardy and forgiving and I had "instant" success with them as a beginner Dart keeper. These are the steps I took to make sure I had success as an Imitator Keeper while still a beginner.

1. I researched profusely-reading all I could on Imitators everyday for 2 months, and then asked every question on the most knowlegeable forums including Qs that made people think I was a nut job.
2. I researched vendors that were very knowlegeable about building just the right enclosure and I had the enclosure built by one(I am not good at building the enclosure, I only designed the perameters, listed the hardscape materials, and plant life I wanted him to use) and then tested the temp, humidity, light through the day and night for a few weeks. I checked and rechecked for cracks to ensure that the enclosure was FF proof(I read that many people would loose their first Imitators to escape)
3. I practiced for a month making FF cultures before they even arrived.
4. I visited a very reputible breeder(not a pet shop) at a show and picked up a proven sexed Trio and carried them home on a plane with toy frogs in another container on top of theirs so that the officals would let me on the plane(one official started chasing another female official with the "toy frogs"

The results were pretty satisfactory. I did loose one Imitator to escape, but never again. The remaining two was a female and a male that laid eggs the first year but not fertilized. The 2nd year, I observed them raising tads in broms in the tanks and one out of how many I don't know grew into an adult that is now breeding. 3nd year-same thing and another adult out of 4 survived and is a female and breeding. This year, I began removing the tads from the tank and hand raising and so far 7/8 are fat and ready to set up into a 2nd group.

If you provide the right conditions, are regular about feeding watering it doesn't seem possible to not get offspring with Imitators. I still think of myself as a beginner because the Imitators do so much of everything on their own. Hope to meet you in July at the show. Maybe if there is enough interest in So Cal Dart Frog club we'll all meet there to have a discussion about it.

Regards,

Maggie

Hey all,

A southern Cal club sounds great!!! I actually work in Pasadena and live in Monterey Park. So im pretty close to you Maggie. I would definetly consider my self an undergrad to the world of Darts seeing as though I just got my first one's about a month ago. They are doing awesome and FF culturing is such a breeze.

I dont know to much about Imitators but since your so close maggie and you may feel the need to sell some I would love to buy a trio from you. (ofcourse if I could afford it) I breed crested geckos and leopards and have had many animals ranging from Bearded dragons to Argentine horned frogs. Please let me know if you will be selling them and at what price. I have a friend in Ventura who breeds Azeurs, Cobalt Tincs, and Two other kinds and has been doing it for a while now. He gives me lots of advice and it seems to be very helpful and really useful. Fill me in on how all your Frogs are doing Maggie and Julie.

chat with you all laters

cresty

Hey Cresty:

Good to hear you getting into the Darts more, you're going to be addicted for life. What type of Dart did you get? I will probably have to sell some of the Imitators to whomever wants to breed as they continue to produce cause I haven't the room. In addition, and more importantly, the reason that I wanted to do this in the first place was to devote a piece of my real estate to giving these beautiful frogs a safe place to keep breeding, livng and flourishing. I'd feel very happy if I could get others started in doing that as well.

If you are interested in having a breeding tank, and would feel able to put one together, I would be happy to help you you get a group going sometime in the future. I'm sure I would sell the Imitators to the right conditions at below market to ensure they went to a good place and in a group that would produce.

Do a bit more research on Imitators. There are a few different lines out there. Mine come from Tor Linbo. See if its something you'd really like to put yourself into. Here's a pic of the oldest baby that just posed for a children's book to be released in 2008 on the affects of herbacides on the frog populations of the world. Frog-on!

Thanks for the Invitation to the world of D.Imitators.

I pleasantly and extaticly accept the Invitation and would love a group of Imitators of my very own. I purchased a trio of Leucs and they are doing great. I mastered the art of FF culturing and from what I've read on D. Imitators (started reading up on them all last night and all this morning) is that they are a lot more hardy than people give them credit for. They preffer the climbing scene than the lower regions of a Vivarium, and they love heavy planted Vivariums. Im really good at doing research for any animal that I wish to consider purchasing and try to make sure that the best possible Habitat is being provided. Maybe you can give me a plan of your Vivarium so I can mimic that same plan to ensure a good habitat.

Thanks once again!!!!!!

cresty

Hi Maggie and cresty,
All is well way out here. Temps have been in the upper 90's and I am watching my tanks every hour. I have a fan going in the room and the a/c on through out the day (timer).
Cresty, I too have a crested gecko (and 3 Leucs. Some tree frogs and a Mint Terribilis). I just love my little man gecko.
Anyway, just thought I would chime in.

Julie

hey julie,

Thats cool, Im glad to hear your a responsible parent. It hasen't gotten to hot over here with temps in the upper 70 to mid 80's so its not to bad. Glad to hear that you also share a love for the cresties out there. I have so many now and have had multiple offers to purchase them but I can't seem to let go of any. Instead of the crazy cat lady, their going to call me the crazy gecko boy who names his geckos and chats with them about their environment. I know its weird but I love my pets.

Since we are So Cal buds you guys can write to me at Armon22@hotmail.com since Im sure that everyone in this Forum is looking at our messages and wondering whats up with those So Cal weirdos. LOL Keep me informed on how everything is going, Im still trying to figure out how to post messages. oh well

cresty

Cresty, you may be sorry by giving me your e-mail address. LOL

LOL, well I have not received one e-mail from anyone of my So Cal buds yet so I guess Im all alone. sniff sniff lol Hey Maggie and Julie fill me in on how your froggies are doing and let me know who is selling what. Thanks

World cup update:

Mexico Win!!
Argentina Win!!
Italy Win!!!
USA did not show up to play...

Cresty, don't cry. I sent you an e-mail.

Julie

Thanks... there's really no froggie people around here so I get a little lonely. j/k

how are your frogs doing??? what other nimals do you have?? Why Dodgegirl???? just curious I use to own a dodge so just curiious.

cresty

Hi Cresty, Julie and So Cal Darters:

Don't be lonesome, us dart froggers are here! Betcha if we started compling a list, they'd come outa the woodworks. I know a few not on this forum too.

My frogs are doing marvously. Here's the update:

2.2 D. Imitators breeding a storm and producing eggs weekly.
0.0.5 D. Imitator froglettes now feeding on Wingless Melanogasters
0.0.2 D. Imitator Tads ready to morph

1.0.2 Leucamelas starting to call all day

2.1.0 Pampas Toads fat like pigs

Thats all I have right now. Hoping to get into a bigger place so I can start more breeding tanks! How are the frogs at your neck of the woods?

Maggie

Hi Maggie,
All is well on my end. I wish my Leucs (3) would start calling. I sent cresty an e-mail last night so he doesn't feel lonesome.

Julie

Hey Im not lonesome,

I download music on my off time and since NEW post on this forum are rare, I like having friends to count on when my frogs go beserk or something. I hate not having someone to call or message when my froggies are in need. Thats why i have you two, my froggie buds In case I needz advice, I know you two will help out.

Thanks Maggie and Julie and all those So Cal froggies

Well cresty, I am no expert on frogs. I have a "go to guy" that I seek advice from. He is really nice and helpfull. I will however do the best that I can to answer any questions you have...as long as they aren't to complicated. LOL.
Julie

I appreciate all help. So far my FF plantation is doing really well, the frogs are doing really well, and their environment continues to thrive. Im good right now.

Hey are you guys going to the show in July???

Are any of you selling darts??? If so how much... I have a 30 gallon high waitiung for some pretties.