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Posted by: x1angelbabyx at Tue Oct 28 11:28:30 2003 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]
hi all i'm new to this forum and am trying to get some info on fire bellied toads (FBTs) because my cousin is trying 2 give me one of his two toads for free. i'm assuming it's because he's having a hard time handling all the pets that are already in his apartment! if you wanna just skip to the questions, please do so at the bottom thanks everyone!
situation
i have a 5 gallon aquarium and a 10 gallon empty aquarium that i have already cleaned and disinfected - which one should i use?. i also have a bag of gravel to use as land. i plan to have 1/3 land, 2/3 water. i also plan to feed it a diet of pinhead crickets & mealworms with the occasional wax worm as a treat. i already have a lighting fixture to regulate day/night schedules.
questions
1) how often do i change the water if i don't use a filter?
2) how often do i change the water if i use a filter?
3) can i pick up and hold the FBT? or will i get poison on me?
4) if i do get poison, will i get sick? hehe~
5) any other tips/advice?
comment
about the handling, i don't plan to just hold it - i meant transferring the FBT into a container while i clean the water so he won't get out
question
how often and how much do i feed my FBT if i had a diet of gutloaded crix, meal worms, wax worms, and pill bugs?"
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Go with the 10 gallon tank, but instead of using the gravel silicone a piece of plexi glass (about 5 inches high and a little narrower than your tank) at about a 45* angle and use Bed-A-Beast or any cocoanut fiber substrate (comes in a brick form that you soak in water and it expands) This will be a MUCH better substrate for several reasons...
1. you don't risk having the toad swallow a piece of gravel during feeding and getting an impaction.
2. plants grow GREAT in it.
You can use the gravel on the water side, but just enough to cover the bottom.
You'll want to change the water every other 3rd day or so with or without a filter. Fire Bellies can get ill from their own toxins and frequent water changes will ensure a clean enviroment. Since you'll only have 1 in the tank, every 3rd day should be good.
You can pick up the toad for transfer, but *some* people have a sort of alergic reaction to the toxins. You can always be on the safe side and just get some latex (unpowdered) gloves. If you touch the toad directly, just be sure to wash your hands REALLY well afterwards. You definitely don't want to get that toxin in your eyes. Unless you actually lick the toad or take a bite out of it, you won't get sick just handling while transfering it for tank cleanings. LOL So no sucking on the toad LOL
As for feedings. Depends on the size of the toad... if it's still a juvi and small then feed it as much as it eat every day (usually around 6 small bugs) if it's closer to full grown in size, then go for about 3 buggies every other day (for an adult sized FB, that would be equal to 3 large crix)
There are LOTS of FB owners here so they will have more advice as well.
BTW... Wlecome to the forum!
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Heather
i'm new to this forum and am trying to get some info on fire bellied toads (FBTs) because my cousin is trying 2 give me one of his two toads for free. i'm assuming it's because he's having a hard time handling all the pets that are already in his apartment! 
if you wanna just skip to the questions, please do so at the bottom 
hehe 