Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I would like to make a multiple species vivariums with fire belly toads and tiger salamanders would that work? if not could some one tell me what animals would do well together with out troubles?
Thanks
Steve

some people dont like to mix species ever, so they will probably make their arguments, but this is what has worked for me. i wouldnt do the tiger salamanders. but with FBTs i have seen newts, small treefrogs, anoles, small day geckos, mudskippers, and hardy fish. sometimes individuals dont get along, but this is true in species only tanks too, so i dont see why you cant try it with them mixed. just remember there is no guarantee that these will work, but i have seen all of these together without problems. in the end it is up to you, there are other things that could go in, but they are too risky to say they are more likely than not to work out. it also depends on what all you put in, certain things from the list above could be omitted to allow for unmentioned species to be added.

fire belly toads do secrete a mild toxin from thier skin.. take that into consideration when mixing them.. also.. i would stay away from the newts... the fbt will consider them a delightful snack.. even if they cant eat the whole newt.. ive seen them take off arms and legs.. anoles should be ok.. as long as you have plenty of arboreal decorations (vines, driftwood, plants) for them to hang out on... it would have to be a large enough tank to allow for separate territories for each species..

as the last poster said, a lot of people will tell you absolutely not to do this.. it can be done though, with care.. make sure all of the species you are mixing require similar habitats, quaranteen the animals before introducing them, and make sure there is enough food for everyone.. fbt have a voracious appetite and nocturnal or slower moving herps will miss out on feeding because the firebellies get all the crickets...

good luck!
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my pets: clown treefrogs, reed frogs, big eyed treefrogs, tiger leg monkey frogs, gray treefrogs, milk frogs, cuban treefrogs, whites tree frog, green treefrogs, squirrel treefrogs, blue webbed gliding treefrog, chameleon treefrogs?, dusky salamanders, tiger salamander, veiled chameleon, box turtles, mud turtle, map turtle, yellowbelly slider, florida softshell, two saltwater tanks, four cats, two chinchillas, and a boyfriend.

I'd read http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/Mixing_disasters.shtml before even considering this. Unless you're a professional with enough space and resources to design an adequate enclosure, single-species setups are best for everything involved.