Brand new 55 Gallon

[Amphibians]

I went to the Long Island Herp Society Expo today in Farmingdale. Kind of lacking in frogs, not much diversity, but i did get a huge 55 gallon tank with a lid and an enormous light for only 30 bucks. I dont know if its haunted or something, but i had to take advantage. It was kind of spur of the moment so i have NO idea what im going to do with it. Any suggestions? I have a whites tree frog, a mossy frog, and a fire belly. I know they cant really live together, But i was thinking maybe a 60-40 land-water thing with the whites so i could have some fish too. Theres of course also the option of selling it, but i think i want to trick it out. Interesting ideas please!

[John]

Kurt knows about keeping things with White's. Right Kurt? :P

[Kurt]

Sure do, John, sure do. There are fish in with my White's. There is also a small soft-shell turtle, who will eventually have to go at some point.

That being said it is a fine line between success and disaster. Your best bet is to get nothing but captive bred animals, that includes the fish, turtles, frogs and/or geckos. Filtration should be strong and sufficient, there are two filters in my tank. You must know all the species you plan on keeping very well. Know everything about their biology. How big do they get? What do they eat? How will you feed the arboreal members of this community? Are any of them toxic? Are any of them carriers for diseases, such as chytridiomycosis? What environmental conditions do the like? When taking about this type of community, there are several balls you must juggle and you can't drop a single one of them.

I have been working with exotic animals just about all of my life. I have worked in the zoo and pet industries, so I do have a lot of experience. Would I recommend making a community set up involving fish, reptiles, and amphibians? No, I would not. Not unless you have a ton of experience, are willing to do all the research, and be prepared for failure. Of course when you fail the animals pay the price. So think long and hard, about this before you try it.

[Tom Highum]

But what can you say might or know can work with white's?

[Kurt]

Most tropical fish will work with White's, but should be captive bred to minimize cross infection. Even then its almost impossible to gurantee there will be no cross infection, especially of gastrointestinal parasites. Also avoid live-bearers as they need salt to live and salt is detrimental to amphibians. Avoid large predatory fish or small surface dwelling fish. Turtles can be real tricky. Most turtles get to big to be housed with most frogs. Small turtles that need to bask may become prey for a frog. Geckos maybe a little easier to assimilate into a multi species enclosure such as this, but how do you feed them? Crickets and other feeder insect drown so easily, and most geckos aren't hand able.

Now do you understand why I do not advocate mixing species?

[Amphibians]

Ok well it sounds like im not qualified to try that, i dont want to endanger any of my animals. I had a black and green dart a while ago that died, im thinking about having maybe four of them in this tank.