Breeding Red Eye Tree frogs success?

[DemFluids]

Hello all I am new to this forum

I have been keeping/breeding amphibians for years.
I have a really nice 2.2 set of RETFs that I have been attempting to breed. I have bred PDF's (granted I know they are different) with no problems before, through out most seasons....Their normal enclosure is a 70 gallon Easy Access. I constructed a rain chamber, that is about 36" long X 20" wide X 24" high. I have a pump with PVC tubing heading up to the top perimeter, with drilled "water holes" all around the top. Makes a very nice rain around the circumference of the chamber.

I have a small submersible water heater in the water which is filled about 5-6" in the tub, with a set temperature of 77 ambient. Water is changed daily. I allow the rain chamber to run about 3 hours into the evening and going into night for about an hour.

The plants that I have am using pathos, as well as, a 'dieffenbachia sp.' aka dumb cane plant. All have broad leaves overhanging the water, and are plentiful.

As for age, my RETF's are about 1.5 years old to 2.0 years, in exception of my leucistic male, which is about 7 months and calling.
I feed them all about 60 crickets a week, and dust them once a week with herptivite.


Behavior is normal, The males call(in and out of chamber), when in the chamber they displayed leaf shaking, territorial disputes, as well as, fight over amplexus over the same female. As for the females, I have seen them soak the Caudal end of their bodies in the water, for minutes at a time, Which i know helps retain moisture for the eggs that are being developed.

The main issue I am having is that my older male, goes into amplexus with the same female each time. After the territorial disputes are solved with the other male, he eventually wins and gets her, the other female does not seem interested. The problem is, this male will be in amplexus with this female for 3-4 days, barely falling off, but no eggs! I watch the leucistic at times mess with him, but once he is officially attached he does not seem to bother.

I got all the steps except the actual copulation...Does anybody have any suggestions as to how I can have them finish the deal? I know it is out of season, but they as a species are prolific breeders, and the barometric pressures are not changing (I live in PA). So I know that can make a difference in setting the 'mood' but I seem to have all the 'mood' steps right, they are displaying breeding behaviors with territory + amplexus only in the rain chamber, so my question is:

How do I get him/her to finish, does anybody have any suggestions for me? I got one more male to the mix to aid in stimulation, but he is currently in quarantine for a few more weeks, I can provide pictures of rain chamber + enclosure tonight.

Thank you for your help

Josh Halter

[Heatheranne]

Welcome to the forum, Josh.

I am a keeper of 7 retf's but do not breed mine. Some great people to ask would be Micheal Novy from Rainforest Junky's and Zach Brinks from joshsfrogs. They would both be happy to answer any questions for you. Both have websites.

http://www.rainforestjunkys.com

And

http://www.joshsfrogs.com

Good luck in your endeavors! Let us know how it works out for you. We'd love to see photos .

[DemFluids]

Welcome to the forum, Josh.

I am a keeper of 7 Red-Eyed Leaf Frog's but do not breed mine. Some great people to ask would be Micheal Novy from Rainforest Junky's and Zach Brinks from joshsfrogs. They would both be happy to answer any questions for you. Both have websites.

Rainforest Junky's | Specializing in captive bred amphibians

And

Josh's Frogs - Largest online herps feeders and reptile supplies store

Good luck in your endeavors! Let us know how it works out for you. We'd love to see photos .

Thank you. I actually talked to Michael Novy myself @ the hamburg show, also my one leucistic is one of his stock. He said I have everything right as far as temp, behavior, etc. He said throwing another male into the mix will help however, i feel 2 males fighting over the same female should be enough. I added another pathos into the rain chamber, going to check tonight...

I will email joshfrog's and see what he has to say, its frustrating because I got everything right, I just need them to finish!!!

Edit: I will post pics of my rain chamber tonight + their 70 gallon ez access

[Heatheranne]

I hope it works for you. I'll be waiting to hear.

[kieron]

Will you be selling them ?

[flybyferns]

Hi Josh,
Like Heather has suggested , the very best brain to pick is.......... Michael's!
Hang in there. You have worked so hard !
Keep us posted!
Lynn

[DemFluids]

Will you be selling them ?

-When I have them, of course...I will eventually have some Starry Night Reed frogs as well.


Anyway as promised here is my rain chamber, I will post pictures of the enclosure tonight if I have time after class.
I had them (2.2) in there for a week....Male was in amplexus with both females, one female for 5 days, the other for 2. NO EGGS!!! : (

Anyway here is my chamber that i build, please feel free to shoot me some suggestions. Thank you.






there is my standard male in amplexus with my standard female.

Pictures of the inhabitants + their enclosure soon coming.
Thanks for everyones input!

J

[DemFluids]

Pictures of the inhabitants + their enclosure soon coming.
Thanks for everyones input!

J

As promised here is a picture of the inhabitants + their living establishment. Again, all input is appreciated. Thank you.
















The tanks specifications is a 70 gallon EZ access, and half of the bottom is a water area + waterfall.

[CJ PELCHER]

I love your vivarium! ITS BEAUTIFUL. I have a nice one but you topped mine! GREAT JOB!

[DemFluids]

I love your vivarium! ITS BEAUTIFUL. I have a nice one but you topped mine! GREAT JOB!

Thank you I am very pleased with how it turned out. I introduced the leucistic I got from michael novy into the 70 today. In about a week after feeding I will try to throw in 3.1 into the rain chamber. I will try the 3 males with only 1 female instead of the 2 and see how that works...

Suggestions anyone?