Atelopus hoogmoedi - Vivarium

[clownonfire]

Hi all,

I will be documenting the build of the new Atelopus spumarius vivarium I started building. I will be using material I already own, up to the 29 gallon tank I have lying around (29*18*13).

Basically, the backdrop will be pieces of bark I have picked up this weekend on the mountain. I have of course cooked the wood (1 hour at 200 Celsius).

There will be a drainage layer made of hydro balls, and a closed section with a false bottom for a pond with running water. This section will be separated by a piece of glass. Since clean water is essential I hear for these toads, I will use a layer of hydro balls, and will use river rocks up to the level of the pond. There will be pieces of sticks of about 6 inches that will be inserted vertically here and there in the pond. I will also be using a water filter which will be closed off using egg crates, and which will double up as the water stream.

As for plants, I still don't know. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Eric

[clownonfire]

As there are little information on Atolepus spumarius out there, I contacted Ed Kowalski on Dendroboard as he has been working with them for years. Pertaining on the vivarium, eher are what he suggested. I hope this can be useful to some (

"Hi Eric,

I would not house them in an enclosure that has a water feature unless you were actively attempting to breed them at that moment. This species follows the typical Atelopus pattern where they live some distance from water until they are ready to breed. If you keep them in an enclosure with a water feature, then you are going to encourage them to set-up territories and encourages aggression.

You need several plants with leaves large and strong enough to perch on as they will climb up at night to sleep. If you don't have enough perches, you will hear territorial calls as one toad climbs on the leaf claimed by another.

I would house them in an enclosure similar to tinctorius with more air flow (I kept then in a tank with a screen lid with one half covered with glass for a number of years.

The current ratios of males to females is running close to 25-30 to 1. Good luck with them. the ones that I have seen so far all have good weight so you shouldn't have to worry about refeeding syndrome with them.

Ed"

So there you go. No more water feature for me.

[5280]

Eric, incredibly helpful thread. I was worried about the running water feature myself and stressing about how I would successfully house these guys. I'm gonna pass on a water feature as well now. I don't mean to hijack your thread, just want to say thanks for posting this. Keep us posted on your viv build, maybe we'll compare pictures when we're both done.

Also, have you decided on any plants to use, I'm struggling with that as well. Good luck man.

[clownonfire]

Eric, incredibly helpful thread. I was worried about the running water feature myself and stressing about how I would successfully house these guys. I'm gonna pass on a water feature as well now. I don't mean to hijack your thread, just want to say thanks for posting this. Keep us posted on your viv build, maybe we'll compare pictures when we're both done.

Also, have you decided on any plants to use, I'm struggling with that as well. Good luck man.

By all means, if you have anything to add, suggestions and ideas, feel free to hijack this thread as much as you want.

As for plants, I will add a few Alocasia and Philodendron to make sure they have leaves to perch on. I'll make sure to add a few climbers too like ficus pumilia. I still am looking for 1-2 more ideas... Anyone?

[5280]

Hey Eric, what temp and humidity range are you going to keep your guys at???

[clownonfire]

Through the roof!

Around 90%.

Tonight, I added bark to the vivarium. I tried sticking it with silicone, but as the bark was too uneven, it was hard to stick a large surface on the glass.

So I reverted to foam. And foam worked.

EDIT: I've been suggested to perhaps lower the humidity. It was hinted that 65-85% could be a better range.