Unusual growth in FBT tank.

[Jace]

Hey everyone! Along with the very neat mushrooms growing in my Fire-Belly Toad setup, I have also noticed some other weird things growing. Some of the soil was not packed down and in the small air pockets, another time of fungus looks to be growing. It is yellow and looks like little lint balls. The tank is set up by a window and does get early morning sun, which is helping these new life forms to grow. Just wondering if I should be concerned. This growth is no where near the surface or the toads, but that doesn't mean it's not causing issues in my little ecosystem. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Ebony]

Hi Jace, My tanks get partial sun too and you do tend to get weired and wonderful things growing. If I were you I would take it out. It could be something that was unnoticed in the soil and has moulded. I know some fungus's are fine for frogs but with out knowing for sure its probably best to just remove it.

[Jace]

Okay, thanks Ebony. I included a picture, but it does look to be some kind of mould or fungus. It's down quite deep in the dirt, but just to be safe, I shall try and remove as much of it as I can.

[Jace]

Okay, thanks Ebony. I included a picture, but it does look to be some kind of mould or fungus. It's down quite deep in the dirt, but just to be safe, I shall try and remove as much of it as I can.

I keep forgetting the flippin' pictures!!

[Tropicok]

Fungi can be any color of the rainbow and more. They also take on weird shapes.

[Jace]

Fungi can be any color of the rainbow and more. They also take on weird shapes.

Lol-yes, I am beginning to notice that! I'm curious as to just how they start, though, especially the mushrooms. I buy the compacted brick dirt that is supposed to be completely free of anything but dirt, and same with my moss. Yet a whole ecosystem is sprouting in there. Not that I mind-as long as my toads are healthy and happy-but it's a bit of mini-experiment!

[Iratus ranunculus]

I keep forgetting the flippin' pictures!!

As a general rule, you should avoid non-mushroom fungi in your tanks. Fungi can often be pathogenic or toxic and prohibiting their growth is a good idea.

[Jace]

As a general rule, you should avoid non-mushroom fungi in your tanks. Fungi can often be pathogenic or toxic and prohibiting their growth is a good idea.

I didn't pack down the soil and I am thinking I should go back and do that, as this particular fungi is growing in the air pockets in the soil. I am planning on redoing the tank very soon and taking out a lot of the soil. Is there anything that I can add to the soil (a natural product of course) that would help prevent or break down fungi?

[Iratus ranunculus]

Not really. You may try baking the soil before you use it. How moist is the soil?

[Jace]

The top layer is damp, but not soggy and then it gets drier the further down it goes. The very bottom is fairly dry. I only mist a couple of times a week and that is for the plants, not the toads as they just sit in the water bowl most of the day. I'm surprised it's not drier considering it does get sun. Maybe I will try baking it. Thanks for the suggestion.