What are the best plants for a RETF? I know Red Eye Tree Frogs are rain forest frogs, and I wasn't sure what plants would be best. I really like venus fly traps, but I'm not sure how safe it would be with the frogs. I would be using coconut fiber substrate as the flooring, most likely with a false bottom. I will change my plan, if it would be better flooring for the plants or another reasoning. That was just the general start up idea of my tank. They would be in a 15-20 gallon, hexagonal, tall tank with 2-3 froggies. Thanks everyone!
Hi,
This takes quite a bit of homework.
Bill has provided lots of valuable information here.
There are 100's of plant threads here on FF . Use the search FF !
http://www.frogforum.net/plants-plan...nt-thread.html
Red eyes need their plants up as high as possible in the enclosure, suspended if possible.
The pothos ( can be found at ie home depot) is a great place to start.
Buy one big hanging pot...... $10... .of which turns into many when you pull it apart to re-pot it.
They enjoy sleeping these big leaves. The leaves are easy to maintain.
Proper plant preparation is imperative. The majority of them have pesticides, fertilizers, and leaf shine chemicals.
All plants need to be rinsed ( I do a bleach dip and then soak in de-chlor water bucket on ANY plant, even ones that are advertised as being safe)
The bleach dip will also kill most insects , insect larva and eggs etc.
Coco fiber is okay temporarily... but consider ABG.
ABG, Atlanta Botanical Gardens Mix | Reptile Substrate | Josh's Frogs
This, or a home made version of this mix, is what is typically used for substrate for most planted tanks housing a non-burrowing species. The large bags go pretty far. I have personal exp having purchased this from Josh's for my dart enclosures and re-potting all plants, including those my tree frog enclosures.
I am always happy with. Never moldy ! I do however break-op the sphagnum moss a little .
As far it's use for red eyes, I suppose it will be ok.
However, I do not have exp w/ this , as substrate, in my tree frog enclosures ---just use it for the plants.
I would suggest being careful with any 'poiny' sticks from the tree fern fiber that is in all of these mixes.
It could really cause an injury
Current Collection
Dendrobates leucomelas - standard morph
Dendrobates auratus “Costa Rican Green Black"
Dendrobates auratus "Pena Blanca"
Dendrobates tinctorius “New River”
Dendrobates tinctorius "Green Sipaliwini"
Dendrobates tinctorius “Powder Blue"
Dendrobates tinctorius "French Guiana Dwarf Cobalt"
Phyllobates terribilis “Mint”
Phyllobates terribilis "Orange"
Phyllobates bicolor "Uraba"
Oophaga pumilio "Black Jeans"
Oophaga pumilio "Isla Popa"
Oophaga pumilio "Bastimentos"
Oophaga pumilio “Mimbitimbi”
Oophaga pumilio "Rio Colubre"
Oophaga pumilio "Red Frog Beach”
Oophaga pumilio "Rio Branco"
Oophaga pumilio “Valle del Rey”
Oophaga pumilio "BriBri"
Oophaga pumilio "El Dorado"
Oophaga pumilio "Cristobal"
Oophaga pumilio "Rambala"
Oophaga “Vicentei” (blue)
Oophaga sylvatica "Paru"
Oophaga sylvatica "Pata Blanca"
Oophaga histrionica “Redhead”
Oophaga histrionica "Blue"
Oophaga lehmanni "Red"
Oophaga histrionica "Tado"
Ranitomeya variabilis "Southern"
Ranitomeya imitator "Varadero"
Ranitomeya sirensis "Lower Ucayali"
Ranitomeya vanzolinii
http://www.fernsfrogs.com
https://www.facebook.com/ferns.frogs
Venus fly traps won't work in an retf enclosure. They need a dormancy period which they won't receive in a vivarium. Like Lynn said, pothos are awesome plants for a Viv. A lot of plant selection depends on your personal taste, care experience and budget. There are many plants from big box stores which are good for gigs, and keeps your budget down. More exotics require a bit more care and are more expensive and normally found online.
For the budget minded, sometimes ABG mix or even making your own isn't quite economical, alternatively, you can use a base of orchid mix sold at big box places, covered with an inch or so of coco fiber to prevent the frogs from ingesting any large pieces of bark and such found in those mixes. Add a couple inches of leaf litter and the froggies will be safe and happy, and so will your plants.
1.0.0 Oophaga Pumilio 'Black Jeans'
0.0.10 Phyllobates Vittatus
0.0.3 Phyllobates Terribilis 'Mint'
0.0.3 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Patricia'
0.0.5 Dendrobates Leucomelas
0.0.2 Dendrobates Tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
0.0.2 Ranitomeya Variabilis 'southern'
0.0.3 Epipedobates Anthonyi 'zarayunga'
1.2.0 Phyllobates bicolor
0.0.3 Dendrobates tinctorius 'azureus'
0.0.1 Avicularia Avicularia
0.0.1 Gramastola porteri
0.2.0 Canines
1.0.0 Tabby/Maine Coon Mix
2.1.0 Genetics Experiments
0.1.0 Bed Bully
Hi . I'd like to add a few more great plant options.
My favorite for red eyes is also pothos. By buying a larger plant and separating its stems and keeping some roots with each stem you can start with nice large leaves rather than waiting for smaller plants to grow.
https://www.google.com/search?q=poth...20&bih=504
Another great plant that has somewhat sturdy leaves and does not mind the 70-80% humidity is a Chinese evergreen. It's another of my favorites and the red and pink variations give the tanks a bit of color.
https://www.google.com/search?q=chin...20&bih=504
Dracenas are nice too .
https://www.google.com/search?client...29.-gGvGhZb81c
Bill is our best plants guy and knows tons about plants . He's a great one to ask.
https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203589094112277&id=1363241107&set =a.1434844115446.2055312.1363241107&source=11&ref= bookmark
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