USA availability of X. Borealis and X Muelleri?

[rodsboys]

I will be traveling in the US in early July this year. I am kind of hoping to run into one or both of these species. what's my chances ? Shipping is a possibility as I will be in VA and IL for prolonged stops with family. I am hoping to get a pair or trio of each.

[mpmistr]

Never seem any in Champaign, Charleston, Mattoon, or Effingham IL. Only X. Laevis and mostly albino but I've seen some pigmented frogs here and there. I was in PetCo in Alton, IL a few weeks ago but they don't carry any aquatic frogs at all except ADF but they weren't on stock anyways.

I went to to Inland Aquatics in Terra Haute, IN a few months ago and saw no aquatic frogs.

There is another pet shop in IN I believe, if I see any I will let you know.

[Jenste]

Xenopus.com is your best bet. I know he definitely has Borealis on hand as I have ordered them from him myself. Burley is really easy to work with.

[rodsboys]

Looks like Burley is going to be able to hook me up. Shipping is not too bad, but I almost feel like getting more frogs than I need just to fill the box. Says he can do 4 pairs in a box. I only want a pair of Muelleri and a trio of Borealis. I can only get away with setting up one more tank at home and one at work and I will be pushing my luck then. Too bad I can't (shouldn't) keep tropicalis with either species. Could always keep the Borealis with the Muelleri or the Muelleri with my Laevis OR just forget the tropicallis and get 4 of each species I originally wanted. Was hoping to do only 20 gallon tanks for these 2 species though. To my knowledge only Laevis can be found here in Canada.
Suggestions? Thoughs on mixing species? I know some of you have done it.

[Jenste]

I have kept Laevis with Borealis and Tropicalis in the same tank. I had none with ill effects and multiple matings. I even had some very large female Laevis in the tank and never had any issues. They were in a four foot tank so space may have helped.

[rodsboys]

Jenna- Did your tropicallis bask at all or leave the water?

[Jenste]

They never left the water but I used the floating betta log (it often sat in it but never on it) and a very thick (3" at the minimum, usually closer to 6") canopy of floating water wisteria.

[rodsboys]

My assumption is from what I've been reading all three of these species roughly require five gallons a piece. Kind of torn about what to get. I know for sure I want Borealis.

[Jenste]

The female Borealis get to be about the size of a male Laevis (with male Borealis even a bit smaller). The Tropicalis even a bit smaller than that. If these are 20 gallon longs I wouldn't blink at putting 6 -7 frogs in them. In my experience the Tropicalis are not nearly as active. They hide in a cave, they perch in the plants, the hide behind the filter, they perch in the plants and that's about it lol.

[rodsboys]

As far as temps go, I keep my laevis @ 72-ish. I plan to do the same for the new guys, will that be too low for tropicalis?

[Jenste]

I kept my tanks at 75*F which seemed to keep everyone happy.

[rodsboys]

Got my final order in with Burley. Getting 4 Tropicalis juvies to grow out for my desk at work. Going with a 20H for them. I am also ordering a trio of Borealis for home. The will be getting a 20H also. I currently have a pair of sponge filters cycling. What's a tank, top, light going for in the US these days?
My guys are set to ship out on July 1st and in my hands on the 2nd. I can't wait!

[Jenste]

You can usually get the tank for $35 and the hood for about the same in most pet stores. Sometimes they have a deal on the set. Hopefully Petco will be having its $1 per gallon sale at that time! You can always try craigslist too.

[mpmistr]

Got my final order in with Burley. Getting 4 Tropicalis juvies to grow out for my desk at work. Going with a 20H for them. I am also ordering a trio of Borealis for home. The will be getting a 20H also. I currently have a pair of sponge filters cycling. What's a tank, top, light going for in the US these days?
My guys are set to ship out on July 1st and in my hands on the 2nd. I can't wait!

For new tanks under 55 gallons really PetCo is your best option with their $1/gallon sales. I don't care much for those plastic hoods and **** lights though. I really like my glass lids + LED lights but that's just me I guess, I usually go through Amazon.com for that stuff. I was in PetCo down in southern IL and they had a lot of 20 longs, which I believe are part of the $1/gallon sale, they were still running it around Easter time.