m klappenbacki and n. viridesvens

[rivkah]

Mike, thank you for your response.

I have looked through the stories of failed mixed tanks... and I am well aware of some of the issues, which include: wrong habitates, size differences, as well as aggressive differences. Being a life long fish keeper I take all these into account when I think about mixed tanks. Years ago, I made the mistake of putting bumblebee gobies (yes, I know that they are brackish, and aggressive) with neons temporarily. Since both were the same size, and it was short term (for about a week) while I was making some adjustments. I thought nothing of it until.... I saw a bumblee goby swallow a neon. WOW! Slient aggression can be even worst... intimidating a fish until it dies.

That being said, repts don't live in a vacuume in nature and there are successful mixed tank combinations. In Philippe de Vosjoli's book "popular amphibians" he lists a few successful combinations (pg 106). Basically if the animals share a similar/same habitate requiremens,and are of similar size, and of course (in my opinion), if there is adquate space. (just as a side note: I think that the housing suggestions at the back of this book are way too small for the population suggestions).

I should also say, that I do tend to underpopular a container to ensure more that adequate space for the inhabitants, usually going
1 1/2 to 2 times the recommended size requirements per animal.

Since I have had the red efts for over 9 months and the bumblees for almost 5, I know that each are healthy and feeding well. In fact a couple of the efts are beginning to show their adult colors ( I have already set up a semi aquatic vivarium for them when they are ready). I watch for sign of aggression or bulling (old habits die hard), and have seen none in either population. Since neither appears overly predatory (such as with paddletail newts or pac man frogs) and being of the same size and housing requirements with enough space (30g heavily planted, with many hiding places, including clay caves from Evan Rosenthal), to house seven, one to two inch animals still seems workable.

So again, I respectfully ask: is there a temperment issue that I may not be aware of? being non-aquatic, would the toxcity of each still be an issue?, since the efts are mostly nocturnal and the bumblees being diurnal, what affect would have have on each?

Thank you in advance for your kind paitence with my inquiries.

Rivkah