Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of my blue aurat's sometimes hides under a rock used in my waterfall when it gets frightened. But, under the rock is completely submerged under water, and hell just sit there. From the side of the tank you can just barley see him, but it worries me. Ive left him there for a couple min before to see, but I was have to fish him out with my finger. It cant get stuck or anything, it just worries me, and i wonder if its stuck in the water flow behind the fall. I dunno, is it usual for them to hide under water like that, and come back up? And again, how long can they stay under? thanks

Since my auratus don't have a water way, I can't compare with that species, but I've seen one of my new shy adult male imitators dive in and stay under for at least five minutes. Someone told me that they have timed a totally submerged leucomelas at 15 minutes. Frogs do have some auxillary skin respiration, so they probably do get a certain amount of oxygen exchange even under water. Not enough to remain there indefinitely, but a lot longer than you or I could manage. My D. castaneoticus seem to spend a lot of time submerged in their waterway, although they are probably poking their noses out and breathing. A couple of my D. reticulatus do the same thing, as do Phyllobates vitattus. I don't think these are totally submerged, either, but I can't tell. The thought of them getting caught under water does make me nervous, too. My tendency is also to go for the rescue and correct the problem area where they are liable to submerge and get caught.
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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

Ok, well, i guess thats pretty good news. The water fall in only about 4 inches and very light, so i dont think it would, but ya know. Ok, thanks