New to Dart Frogs

[tylototriton]

A 30 long is a great size for D. tinctorious. Frankly, you could get away with a 20L or a 15 for a pair too. Mixing Azureus and Cobalts would not be a great idea. They're both the same species and so this presents even more problems than if you were mixing different species. You would risk creating a funky hybrid by putting them together, which is generally frowned upon (although it is not nearly as serious of a problem as most people make it out to be). A more serious problem is that all of the Tinctorious frogs can be quite competitive with one another and don't make good group frogs. Most people keep them as pairs or reverse trios (2 males to one female). In particular the females will compete with each other quite violently. This would be exacerbated in a mixed tank with Cobalts and Azureus because they are the same species.

One possibility would be to split that 30L in half with a piece of glass and create a tank that appears continuous but is in fact separated. Each side would be large enough for a pair or a reverse trio if they're well planted.

Cheers!
Alex

[lilblack94gt]

Thanks for the advice! I may think about doing the split habitat. I have several unused tanks right now, so I have plenty to choose from for both species of tincs.

[lilblack94gt]

Another newb question. I still have the 2 darts in a 10 gal aquarium. I hardly ever see them as they hide a lot. Most times I only see them when I dump fruit flies in for them. Is this normal behavior? Or am I doing something wrong? I have listed my setup and specs below. if I am doing something wrong, please let me know. I currently have been feeding the frogs every day to every other day as they are still so small. And I usually do it around 2pm central time. They have healthy appetites, so I am not too concerned and they are active when they are out. Just wondering if this is normal Cobalt tinc behavior?


My current setup:
10 gal aquarium
hydroball base with mesh then ecoearth. then sphagnum moss and magnolia leaf litter.
Temps are 70-75F and humidty is 60%.
the only light I have is a exoterra tropical fluorescent mainly for the live plants. its set for a 12 on 12 off schedule. on at 10am off at 10am.
I also have a monsoon mister rigged between my two tanks (tree frogs in one, darts in the other) to mist every 4 hours for 30 seconds.

[flybyferns]

May I suggest using a real thermometer ( the glass / floating aquarium type $3.00) ; simply place it in the enclosure somewhere - not on the glass). The temp should be maintain in the mid 70's daytime. The humidity is too low. They need a very high humidity to be out and about. They will hide if the humidity it too low. They find little moist areas ( ie buried under a leaf) where humidity is higher. Is the enclosure completely sealed?

Review post #3 again

Can you post a photo of the tank?

Lynn

[lilblack94gt]

Thanks Lynn. Thats what I was wondering. I have been having issues keeping the humidity up even though I have them in the hottest room in the house and away from drafts.

I do not currently have the tank completely enclosed. It is one of the 10gal reptile tanks that have the mesh lid that slides on a track. I have thought about getting a piece of plexiglass cut to place on top of the mesh , but wondered if it would filter out the uv from the bulb I have for the plants. Glass is not a really good option for me since my darn cats wont stay off the tanks. (I currently have light diffuser cut and zip stripped together like a canopy top to keep the cats from falling through the mesh.

I will try to get a pic in the next few minutes to post.

[lilblack94gt]

I do have a normal glass therm(like for a fish tank) that I use for the temps. I also have a digital gauge for like outside that I move from my bearded dragons cage to the dart tank to check temps and humidity. I know the gauges that are shown in the tank are junk. I have just never removed them.

[flybyferns]

Hi Lil,
If this were mine I would ,completely, replace the the white/grid top of the tank with a pc of glass.
You will have to close it up! With it open like this the humidity is very low.

A back corner of the glass can be cut on an angle-- large enough to pass any cords through but small enough so the frogs cannot escape.
When you raise the humidity- there behavior will be very different ! They may even climb on the the glass walls.
The light can be put on top of the glass cover. You can purchase little handles from Josh Frogs to glue on the the glass lid to make a handle.
OR
Purchase a new metal screen lid for the tank and silicone glass onto the the inside of the lid. I will be heavier and very safe for both the frogs and the cats.
OR
This could also be done w/ plexi.
However I would not put the light on the plexi if it gets warm?
It's hard to keep clean.
OR
You may be able to purchase a new glass aquarium lid cover to fit this tank.
It would still have to be modified though as the entire back will be too open ( designed for filter parts)

Hope this helps, Lynn