Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just Wanted to see what everyone thought of the new tank I am working on for the retics. It is a 42 gallon hex with a waterfall and a small shallow pond area in the front. I have about 5 different broms in it and the bottom right now is spaghnum moss but will later be covered with leaf litter. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. There is a link for a top view of the tank. Not sure how to do multiple picture posts.

Thanks
TonyT

Link

Who did you get yours from?
How much did you pay? if you dont minde me asking
I have been looking for some, but everyone says that youcant get them.

Contact me by e-mail. My e-amil is DATUDISME@MSN.COM

Nice tank! And how many retics were you planning on putting in there? I think 25 or so would be a good #, maybe you would see one of the little guys once and a while.. j/k

You're going to have some happy little frogs in a tank that size!

Leif

Leif's toungue-in-cheek response is spot on. A tank that size is fantastic(and looks great too), but as you are well aware, retics are quite small. I'd suggest making a much smaller tank, say half the capacity, so that you might actually observe more than fleeting glimpses of these guys.
I also purchased my retics from Sean and have mine in a big pretzel jar, about 3 gallons. Its heavily planted and I rarely see them--I couldn't imagine finding them in a 40gal tank! I also have some ventrimaculatus in a 30 gal hex and also wish I would have down-scaled that tank as well...the frogs are happy, I'm sure, but I want to observe them often!
To each his own, and congrats with your new guys.
Scott
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Scott Menigoz
Phelsuma: grandis, kochi, standingi, laticauda, v-nigra, mad mads and klemmeri
PDFs: azureus, citronella, alanis, terribilis, green& black auratus, cobalts, patricia, regina, leucomela, vents, Brazillian yellowheads, reticulatus and galactonotus
Over 100 Tads/young frogs of azureus, alanis and cobalts

With a tank this size or larger, how many could you keep? And also could you keep several different kinds of thumbnails in there? It seems like they would have enough room to avoid any fighting. If not, how many of the same type?
Thanks

My experience in this hobby is that the limiting factor is not how many would fit in a tank that size, but rather how many retics are available to you. These guys are really popular and rarely do you see more than a few available at any time. Should your funds be endless and the supply of retics many, dozens could comfortably "fit" in a 50 gallon tank, assuming its well planted and negative interactions not observed.
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Scott Menigoz
Phelsuma: grandis, kochi, standingi, laticauda, v-nigra, mad mads and klemmeri
PDFs: azureus, citronella, alanis, terribilis, green& black auratus, cobalts, patricia, regina, leucomela, vents, Brazillian yellowheads, reticulatus and galactonotus
Over 100 Tads/young frogs of azureus, alanis and cobalts

I think perhaps it should be said that retics are hard to come by because they are not easy to keep and breed. Some are shy and some are outgoing. Making their tank smaller just so you can see them is not a very good idea. A small tank for juvs is a very good idea so they can find their food and you can closely monitor them. The babies often are so small they require spring tails even when shipped by breeders. I would be willing to bet 80% of the CBB retics sold die in the first 3 months because of someone who doesnt know what they are doing.

As for the tank that started this whole thing, it looks good and I would put in no more than 5 or 6. However, you should not put them in there as babies. I would say about 1 gallon per baby retic until they are at least 4 months old. By that time they will be good at hunting. I do think the tank needs more plants in the way of coverage. most captive retics dont climb alot, but they do hide alot.

The frog pictured is no bigger than a dime.

Ben Linville

I agree with you about not putting them in as froglets.I will not put them in for 2 more months or so. Right now I have them in a sweater box and they are eating and doing fine. I will be placing three in this tank. I will also show more pics once the leaf litter and everything is complete. Thanks for the comments and everything.

TonyT