I Want a Female

[Jace]

I have kept four toads in a 10 gallon, but I was very anal (as my daughter said-brat!) about spot cleaning, changing water and general maintenance because of how many were in the smaller size. As for finding a female...some members have stated there is a visual way of telling males from female, but I have never been able to visually tell differences except my females tended to be bigger than my males. However, if you get them young, this won't help. It can be rather hit and miss. I know when I first set up my 4 toads in the 10 gallon, I had 3 males and 1 female and the males pretty much hounded my poor female until I eventually upgraded the tank and was able to add more toads. My final count was 6 males and 5 females which was a better ratio. Best of luck!

[frogluver]

You could determine the gender by examining the fire-bellied toads, at the pet store, for nuptial pads. Only breeding males develop nuptial pads, or rough dark areas, on the inside of their thumb, second finger, forearms and feet when they are breeding.
Compare the sizes of the FBT too. If you notice that certain toads are plumper and rounder than others, these may be the female toads. Males tend to have a more slender appearance. Also, compare the forearms of your toads. Males tend to have more muscular forearms than females.

[bobrez]

I have kept four toads in a 10 gallon, but I was very anal (as my daughter said-brat!) about spot cleaning, changing water and general maintenance because of how many were in the smaller size. As for finding a female...some members have stated there is a visual way of telling males from female, but I have never been able to visually tell differences except my females tended to be bigger than my males. However, if you get them young, this won't help. It can be rather hit and miss. I know when I first set up my 4 toads in the 10 gallon, I had 3 males and 1 female and the males pretty much hounded my poor female until I eventually upgraded the tank and was able to add more toads. My final count was 6 males and 5 females which was a better ratio. Best of luck!

JoAnna ive looked thru your profiles for pics, would love to see how you set up your FBT tank

[Jace]

In my quest to organize my photos, I have instead completely disorganized them and can't find most of the snapshots I took of my various setups. However, I did find three that I can share. Most of my setups were done to be easy maintenance (as I have a lot of animals that require attention) and if they weren't easy, they were changed pretty quickly. The first photo is such an example as FBTs drag everything into the water and I was constantly dragging a fish net thru it to get the debris out. The second and third photo show progress of my favourite setup; I loved using the turtle docks and being able to take them out and clean them made my job easier. Eventually I did add live plants and other details but I can't for the life of me find the photos-grrr! I would one day love to create a truly beautiful setup like some fellow members have done, but alas, my time is limited right now and I no longer have FBTs in my home.

[ScumBum]

I had the same setup as Jo-Anne and just recently changed it after watching an episode of Mark Morrone . He said Frogs like lots of water , Toads like more land . So I changed things up and I think they like the more land better . My goal too is to have the simpliest setup thats easy to clean .


I'm good about cleaning the tank but maybe a female will get harrassed too much with three males . Whens mating season ?

[Jace]

I went to a set up very similar to your second photo, as well. I found it to be easier to clean and my toads loved climbing on the vines and rocks I had. In the 8+ years I had toads, I probably had at least that many different setups. The toads were very patient with me!!

[bobrez]

Thank you for all the pictures, they've given me some great ideas for my new setup
Think i might try a false bottom in half the tank similar to your turtle dock raised islands
maybe with some eggcrate and foam. Thanks again i'm off to do some planing.

[Jace]

Have fun! Creating amazing habitats can become an addiction in and of itself. And I hope you post some pictures...hint hint, nudge nudge!!