What is the Best Tree Frog for a display

[John]

Amazon Milk Frogs, and the various Polypedates (spelling?) species are often visible during the day, although as has been pointed out, tree frogs don't do much during the day time. All those beautiful photos of Red Eyes are really "lies" - the frogs are never that active during the day time, but fast asleep. The truly entertaining and active day time frogs are the dart frogs, particularly large species like Dendrobates tinctorius and Phyllobates terribilis. If you're looking for something diurnal that is a little less tricky for a beginner, try fire-bellied toads.

[Kisa]

I keep one White's Tree Frog and agree with Don all the way. Though they're not very active animals, sometimes even at night mine will just sit and sit and sit, they have wonderful personalities and are great for beginning frog owners (not sure if you said you've kept frogs before) because of their durability. They're especially a treat when they're small and can't hurt the plants in your viv, but White's can get up to 5' in length, and trust me, that's HUGE in the frog world. XD

I haven't had experience with any other frogs (and I haven't even had Bruce for three months yet) but I can assure they're a wonderful pet.

The other frogs I'm excited about, and looking to own sometime within the next few weeks, are Phyllomedusa, as mentioned above. Monkey frogs are GORGEOUS and all of them have distinct looks. I find these particular frogs fascinating because of the way they move and how closely they can resemble their name sake. My favorite of the Phyllomedusa (though keep in mind I've never kept one but have done extensive research) are the P. Tomopterna, P. Hypochondralis, and P. Bicolor. They are absolutely fascinating, to me anyway.

But yes, sadly both of these types are nocturnal so if you want frogs for viewing it would probably be best to go with Dart Frogs as the others have said.

Sorry about being a total n00b giving my two cents, I'm just trying to be helpful. ><

[j3000]

The way the aquraium is design it is more tall then wide. And I heard dart frogs are harder to take care of. Also if I spend 45-100 dollars on a frog, my wife would shoot me.

[Grrrit]

I got my amazon milk frogs as a first time frog and they're really neat. Not really dinural but I often see then when I turn the lights on in the morning creeping around and they huddle up together and sleep. And in the evening they get up and explore around til its food time. I'm not sure where your located but if you're interested I can point you to a breeder that you could get more info from. Hope this kinda helps.

[Leefrogs]

I found that if I feed my whites treats at 5 pm, like Don, they will be waiting up for you at that time, and remain active the rest of the night. They also fit into your budget, 20$ a piece. Wax monkey frogs are also in that range. I found blue ones on a site from a breeder for 30$. Reg tiger leg monkey are around 15 to 20$.
They most important thing for a centraly located viv is covering your animals when u first get them. Getting used to their new home can take months. I have 2 indoneasian whites, very shy at first, I covered them for two months. First I uncovered a side that faces nothing, then raised curtain slowly, with my new baby, I did a low cover, blue bubble wrap, and when I found her peeking at me above the cover, I knew she was ready for her view of the world.
The best thing is whites personality, and they'll live 15 to 20 years, they eat from your fingers and like looking at you, begging fir more food like dogs, they're quite cute. U can use sticks and wood from outside, just bake at 200 for an hour. It gives a more genuine look to a viv, when there's stuff not store bought. Check my alblum, natural wood and shelf mushrooms from the wild. Get your viv running a month before u bring babies home. And keep us posted.

[Rocko]

I'm just gonna say it, fudge dart frogs (no offense to the people who keep them of course). You want colorful, day active, large (but not so large they break everything) frogs? That can climb on land or and additionally swim in water? Fire belly toads. Entertaining to one and all, bright red bellies, neon green tops these things I swear never sleep day or night. If what you are looking for is something that visiting folks see and immediately get the idea from? Go with fire belly toads. Just my 2 cents...

[tylototriton]

John, I can't believe you're giving out photography secrets! Hahah.

All these responses raise valid points. In the end, it depends on your taste and budget. I love Bombina (Fire Bellies) but you mention that your tank is more vertically oriented, and they wont use that vertical space. However, that doesn't rule them out. You can certainly design a very nice planted aquaterrarium with tall plants in the back. Not only are they diurnal, active, and colorful, but they're dirt cheap.

Alex

[bshmerlie]

I'm just gonna say it, fudge dart frogs (no offense to the people who keep them of course).

You are only saying this because you have never kept them. I have long considered myself a tree frog person and then about 5 weeks ago I got myself two Cobalts for a display tank at work. I wanted frogs that would be bold and active and awake all day. And that's them. I get there in the morning the lights come on and I tap the fruit fly container on the counter in front of their tank and they come running. They're like cats when you turn on the can opener or dogs at dinner time. They come up to the front...they start tapping their toes. They are on my desk at work and as I sit there they are watching me. If I move to the other side of the tank they follow me. They are the most engaging frogs I own. I've got some firebellies, who are very active little frogs, but the cobalts do put them to shame. You can't beat them when it comes to interacting with your pets. Give them a try...you'll be a believer.

[DonLisk]

No wonder nothing is getting done at work Cheri! LOL

've been watching my Dart all morning and where went the time, I'm almost late :-)

[bshmerlie]

The way the aquraium is design it is more tall then wide. And I heard dart frogs are harder to take care of. Also if I spend 45-100 dollars on a frog, my wife would shoot me.

You mentioned that you tank was a 65 gal. That gives you a lot of room to work with. You could make a slopping hillside or something with tiered levels to give the terrestrial frogs a way to use the whole tank. Dart frogs being hard to keep is a misconception. As with all types of frogs there are certain species that should be kept by more experienced hobbies. But if you stick with what we would call beginner frogs than they are just as easy to keep as tree frogs. Maybe even easier because you don't have to go to the store and buy crickets all the time. Also there are beginner darts that you can get in the $20-$30 price range. All im saying is keep your options open. The firebelly toads are probably my second choice for a display tank. They also do well in groups. Check out my FB tank in my photo album it is a vertical tank because that's what I had for them. You can still make a nice display with them. Tree frogs are just not the best for a major display tank because they'll always be sleeping when the quests are looking.