tree frogs and newts

[gdibs82]

I know keeping different phibs is frowned upon. But I'm just wondering if I can keep gray's tree frogs with red spotted newts. They require a lot of the same set-up. I have 150 gallon to put both species. If its not a good idea, I'd like to know why. Thanks!

[Bombina Bob]

Here are some horror stories from the past Caudata Culture Articles - Species Mixing Disasters

[gdibs82]

A lot of those look like they were from different geographical areas. Where as, I can catch both Gray's tree frog and the red spotted newt in the same area near me. Though, I do guess fully grown, the newt may be able to fit a frog in it's mouth.

[ColleenT]

in the wild they can get away from each other. i personally am not a fan of mixing.

[deranged chipmunk]

So an all wild caught, multispecies tank? Yeah, nothing can go wrong there lol that's just a disaster waiting to happen. Bacteria/fungi/ diseases and possible multispecies contamination. I doubt I would even consider that one, let alone try it.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[LilyPad]

Oy, female grey tree frogs are voracious eaters. Even if they couldn't actually eat the newt, there is no guarantee that they won't try and do serious injury to themselves and/or the newt. I've seen my greys bite at a leaf that moved. Along with the bacteria/fungi/parasite factor that Bill mentioned. Total disaster.

[gdibs82]

Wasn't saying I was going to catch them. Just saying I can catch them in the same area. It was a simple question of yes or no and why not. Thanks for some input.

[gdibs82]

And I was curious if it were possible. I'm new to this forum, yes. But have raised Grey's for the last several years and never mixed them with any other phibs.

[flybyferns]

Just one more article for you:
Amphibian Care >> Mixing Different Species of Reptiles and Amphibians Together

[gdibs82]

That was a good read Lynn, thanks!

[flybyferns]

You're very welcome.
That's a great site. Bare-bones, right ?

My 2 cents! :

It's not always 100% possible to make an amphibian's habitat / enclosure flawless.
Often, we start out with the odd against us. But can sure try!

This is why purchasing captive bred species is so important....They all really need good homes.
Stumbling across a frog, for instance ( ie while hiking ) that is not injured .......... NEVER, never needs our 'rescue'.

It's the captive bred species that need our help ; with proper ownership and respect for the responsibility to provide them with the best possible care for each species' individual needs.

[Heatheranne]

Yes, this is truly not a good idea. Mixing of species is always a bad idea. Add the fact that they'd all be wild caught is just an accident waiting to occur.

In nature, there are tens of thousands of feet and miles they can migrate to to stay safe. Forcing them together... You're looking at stress for each species, let alone the parasites they each carry.

Stress allows for opportunistic infections to occur. As a healer of rescue species in the past, I know how sensitive they can be once they are stressed.

Most illnesses in amphibians, once they occur from weak immune system, contamination, etc. take at least 6 weeks to heal/treat with strict quarantine of each species alone, expensive antibiotics, and they often stop eating once ill. This means electrolyte soaks and gentle force feedings.

When I adopted 5 sick reds, chores took a couple hours each night for decontaminating the tank, water bowl, minutes between each of 3 medications for each frog (you do not put the medications on at the same time), electrolyte soaks and force feedings for each frog. I love that I helped them all, but trust me when I say it's a lot of work and is sometimes frustrating.

At least these babies were adopted sick with intentions of my healing them. I'd feel horrible of I caused it.

It's just really something to think about .

There are many ways to have them as pets, making it safe.

Why not start off with one species and see how they do for you? One tank, one species.

Ask any good breeder (not the pet stores... which is where I have had to heal my adoptees from due to lack of correct care/husbandry), and the breeders will to tell you... Mixing is cause for trouble.

I always try and help on our posts here and always try to keep a nice positive attitude and friendly demeanor . It makes asking questions for the forum members easy and nice . The mixing of the species question always makes me gasp.... I instantly picture problems in the future that can be avoided.

Think of this good advice from all of our experienced friends here as a blessing . We'll help you to avoid what you'll be happy you didn't have to deal with.

Read lots about which species you'll like. There's so many to choose from. Each species has different needs to be happy and healthy.

Start learning how to make an awesome vivarium after you choose which frog species you'd like. This will be just as fun as getting a new frog.

Then choose your species . Keep one species type in the tank and then you can watch them thrive and be happy and healthy .

[gdibs82]

Ok, I already have the frogs. I wasn't going to catch wild newts. I do not have the time, as my life has more demanding things. I was "thinking of buying them. I was looking for facts. Which, Lynn's article is pretty good base point. You "could" keep multiple species. But their indifferent demands might make it impossible to keep them together, unless housed in a vivarium that is 100's to 1000's of gallons. I have a 150, but I'm not going to do something to stress my frogs. I'm gonna finish making it specifically for them.

[Heatheranne]

That's perfect

[jarteta97]

If you really want different species, technically a paludarium counts . This means having a large enough water feature in the tank and keeping fish in it. This way, you can have two different species in the tank without endangering them. Also, paludariums can look quite beautiful. Just a thought

[gdibs82]

Yes, I have thought about having fish in there. But I just recently sold my fish I had. So I've decided to stick to frogs. I may use my other tank for newts "if" I decide to get them. Thanks to everyone's responses.