Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a good space where I can place three upright 10 gallon aquariums as dartfrog vivariums. How do you guys feel about these types of set-ups? Do they provide enough space for a pair of dart frogs. My initial plan is to make one a Spartan setup for froglet grow-out/quarantine. The other two will be more elaborate setups, which will, obviously be more difficult to sterilize should something go wrong. Each will be a false bottom setup with a pump, heater, water feature, and overhead mist system The game plan is to buy several froglets and let them mature together. Once a pair is identifiable they will be moved to one of the more elaborate upright 10 gallon vivs.

All thoughts greatly appreciated,
Chris

http://killifish.homestead.com/index.html

Chris,
Vertical 10s are great for certain species of darts. Generally, they are best for the smaller thumbnail species (imitators, intermedius, etc). If these are to be your first frogs, I would recommend one of the larger species (leucomelas, P. terribilis, auratus, tinctorius). These however wouldn't do as well in a vertical 10g because they utilize more of the ground space than the vertical space, and therefore it would be somewhat cramped. When you are ready though, vertical 10g tanks are great. I love the way they look, and my imitators love all of the climbing and hiding spaces.
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Frogs - D. leucomelas, D. tinctorius, D. azureus, D. auratus, P. vittatus, P. bicolor
Chams - Werner's, Panthers, Veiled
Geckos - Cresteds, Gargoyles
Rough Scaled Sand Boa

Thanks Rozdaboff,

Is it not true that the leucomelas are more aboreal than the other frogs that you mentioned? Would they be O.K. in the upright 10 or do you think that they are just too big?

-Chris

http://killifish.homestead.com/index.html

Leucs do like to climb, but they are primarily terrestrial. I have a trio of leucs in a 15g high. It has the same footprint (ground area) of a 10g, but gives them more vertical space, which they love. I don't think that leucs would do well in a vertical 10 - they just don't climb that much.
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Frogs - D. leucomelas, D. tinctorius, D. azureus, D. auratus, P. vittatus, P. bicolor
Chams - Werner's, Panthers, Veiled
Geckos - Cresteds, Gargoyles
Rough Scaled Sand Boa

The more space you give your frogs the better. Bigger tanks allow your frogs more excercise, room to hunt, and room to act like normal frogs. I keep a pair of my leucs in 35 gallon and then other pairs are in 29s. I like the space it gives them. Sure, they have their favorite spots, but they do use all of the cage.

As far a vert ten being good, my leucs spend the majority of their day time off the ground and always sleep up in the tops of my tanks, but 10 gallons is a small space.
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Josh Willard
www.joshsfrogs.com