New to dart frogs, first vivarium!

[Keister]

The background and side ground are almost done. I just have to fill a few cracks with spray foan, mold the piece of wood into it, and place the pots and then it's ready to be sealed and covered! I may cut the water feature then I just figured it would be kinda neat looking. I left room for a two inch false bottom and a four inch Eco earth/tree fern mix ontop of that. I will use an inch of standing water in the bottom then too. What's everyone think so far anything I should change now before I get too far into it? A local breeder here does the green and bronze darts and I figured I would get them? How many could this tank hold? It will have lots of cover and hiding places too if that makes any difference?

[DartEd]

The background looks great so far. Nice job. You can keep a pair of D. Auratus safely in an enclosure that large. I'd be careful with keeping more. The females tend to be very territorial and can be aggressive towards other females. If you do decide to keep a third try to ensure that at least 2 out of the three are males as they tend to be less aggressive. Make sure you include some good tall branches etc for climbing as they love to climb high when they call.

[Keister]

Awesome will do! I'm glad you like it I spent four hours shaping the background and I still may continue to shape it. I tried to do a bunch of little ledges on the background so they can climb and do whatever dart frogs do hahaha. Should I do like two water dishes in each front corner so they can move tads around and stuff if I miss any eggs? Since I won't be doing a water feature?

[DartEd]

The background shows you spent a great deal of time and effort. As far as the dishes, You should add what feels right to you. A shallow water dish is always great to have since the little buggers will soak themselves when humidity in the tank drops so one is a must. If you decide to add a second, keep in mind that's a second dish you have to clean etc. I think one is good if you're doing 2-3 frogs.

[emandkel]

The background looks great so far. Nice job. You can keep a pair of D. Auratus safely in an enclosure that large. I'd be careful with keeping more. The females tend to be very territorial and can be aggressive towards other females. If you do decide to keep a third try to ensure that at least 2 out of the three are males as they tend to be less aggressive. Make sure you include some good tall branches etc for climbing as they love to climb high when they call.

From what I've read Auratus is a good group frog with very little aggression ... it is the tincs that can be aggressive with each other ... is this correct?

[Keister]

Are green and bronze, powder blues, costa rican green and blacks, or matechos "group frogs" meaning I can keep more then a pair together in this vivarium? I would really like to keep more then just a pair or 1 female and two males in this vivarium if at all possible? If it just isn't possible I won't do it but if it is that would be great! I don't want to be one of those people who just do whatever they want and not care about the animals.

[emandkel]

Are green and bronze, powder blues, costa rican green and blacks, or matechos "group frogs" meaning I can keep more then a pair together in this vivarium? I would really like to keep more then just a pair or 1 female and two males in this vivarium if at all possible? If it just isn't possible I won't do it but if it is that would be great! I don't want to be one of those people who just do whatever they want and not care about the animals.

Green and bronze; and costa rican green and blacks are Auratus and group frogs -- one site even said you can keep 2 Auratus in a 10 gallon. Powder blues; and matechos are in the tinc family and it is my understanding per the research I've done they are territorial and need to be kept in pairs only no matter what the size of tank is, although it needs to be at least a 20 high for two. I'm new to dart frogs too, so please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[emandkel]

Green and bronze; and costa rican green and blacks are Auratus and group frogs -- one site even said you can keep 2 Auratus in a 10 gallon. Powder blues; and matechos are in the tinc family and it is my understanding per the research I've done they are territorial and need to be kept in pairs only no matter what the size of tank is, although it needs to be at least a 20 high for two. I'm new to dart frogs too, so please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

After more searching, some sites say Auratus can be territorial as well. I think the general rule even for group frogs is to allow at least 10 gallons per frog.

[flybyferns]

After more searching, some sites say Auratus can be territorial as well. I think the general rule even for group frogs is to allow at least 10 gallons per frog.

Agreed--space is key. ie If you had 4 ,for instance, in a vertical 10 gallon... then subtract the 'space'; the substrate, background, wood takes up.
Not much room left!

[flybyferns]

Green and bronze; and costa rican green and blacks are Auratus and group frogs -- one site even said you can keep 2 Auratus in a 10 gallon. Powder blues; and matechos are in the tinc family and it is my understanding per the research I've done they are territorial and need to be kept in pairs only no matter what the size of tank is, although it needs to be at least a 20 high for two. I'm new to dart frogs too, so please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Good morning,
I agree with emandkel.

As for D. Tinctorius -- when young ...a group is okay. However, when they have matured, it will be necessary to pair them off and remove any extra frogs.
Good excuse to do another tank We are always looking for reasons for that !

I have read and have had many breeders say D auratus make great groups , without display of aggression. I suppose there could be the outside chance a bullying thing could develop ? Plenty of space will minimize this.
I have 4 green black D. auratus in an exo 18 x 18 x 24H - No difficulties , never witness any aggression... of any kind
In fact, they all trade off --snuggling with each other in their favorite little places
They do use ALL levels (of which are provided ) and appreciate their leaf litter
Mine are private and very shy. Their behavior is not nearly as entertaining as my imitators or my leucs.
I'm always so thrilled when they "pay me a visit".

Lynn

[DartEd]

From what I've read Auratus is a good group frog with very little aggression ... it is the tincs that can be aggressive with each other ... is this correct?

As I mentioned in my post above, females can be aggressive towards each other. Their aggression involves competition for male attention. That's why I recommended considering a 2:1 male to female ratio to avoid aggression. Females have been know to sit on other females while n water to drown them, eat each others eggs to force the male to breed again, and chase each other out of feeding areas. This leads to stressful conditions for the females and can definitely lead to death.

[flybyferns]

The background and side ground are almost done. I just have to fill a few cracks with spray foan, mold the piece of wood into it, and place the pots and then it's ready to be sealed and covered! I may cut the water feature then I just figured it would be kinda neat looking. I left room for a two inch false bottom and I will use an inch of standing water in the bottom then too. What's everyone think so far anything I should change now before I get too far into it? A local breeder here does the green and bronze darts and I figured I would get them? How many could this tank hold? It will have lots of cover and hiding places too if that makes any difference?

Hi Keister ,
Have you considered using ABG .. instead of "a four inch Eco earth/tree fern mix on top of that."
This soil mixture will support the pants nicely ,

EDIT ( plants )
Lynn

[DartEd]

This soil mixture will support the pants nicely .
Lynn

I prefer to use a leather belt to support mine. Tee Hee Hee heeeeeeee.

Sry couldn't help myself.

[flybyferns]

I prefer to use a leather belt to support mine. Tee Hee Hee heeeeeeee.

Sry couldn't help myself.

Don't blame you !
funny !!
I fixed it !
Thanks

[Keister]

Ummm this might be a dumb question but what's ABG?

[DartEd]

Only dumb question is the question that goes unasked.

ABG is a soil mixture that has been perfected by the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It's basically a mixture of fern bark, soil, sphagnum moss and other items. The mixture is very precise and proven to be the optimal substrate in terrarium and vivariums. It promotes optimal plant growth and maintains overall health of the ecosystem in the viv.

[guilletto]

In Spain, where could I find it? :S

Only dumb question is the question that goes unasked.

ABG is a soil mixture that has been perfected by the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It's basically a mixture of fern bark, soil, sphagnum moss and other items. The mixture is very precise and proven to be the optimal substrate in terrarium and vivariums. It promotes optimal plant growth and maintains overall health of the ecosystem in the viv.

[exasperatus2002]

Ummm this might be a dumb question but what's ABG?

There are no dumb questions just dumb people and you, Keister, are not one of them. As your here asking good questions so you get it done right the first time, instead of some others who rely on ignorance to fumble thru life. Anyone who's worked in a petshop can tell you exactly the kind of customer I'm refering to.

[Keister]

Awesome thankyou! I found that Josh's frogs sells it in two gallon bags so I will be ordering some of that here soon! Any more suggestions?