Atelopus hoogmoedi - Vivarium

[Grrrit]

Wow eric, thorough as always! This is awesome, you hardy see the depth of research in viv threads to a certain species. Builds los really nice as well

[clownonfire]

Thanks Garrett. I've built the top after gathering as much info as I could. I've cut two pieces of acrylic that are secured on the tank using tape on each extremities where the basking lights will be put on. I have then created a screen mesh from scratch and laid another piece of acrylic leaving 1.5'' on each side, for air circulation. (I have written 3'' on the pictures, but that is in total - sorry for the confusion). Now some say a computer fan should be added for more air circulation, but I don't know if I will go froward with that one.

I have installed the other Monsoon I had and it is programmed for 60 seconds, once a day in the morning.

Eric

[clownonfire]

I have made a few adjustments to the tank after talking with some other enthusiasts. First, I added bigger rocks as the basking area. I was told my rocks were puny. That the Atelopus needed big and strong rocks, like Dwayne Johnson. So... Check.

Because they need a humid but dry environment (I have managed so far to keep a dry tank at around 84% humidity), it was suggested to add ponds with fresh water. I have created two. Now in order to maintain clean and fresh water, I have located the ponds under the dripping Exo-Terra Monsoon nozzles. Yes, they drip. Quite a bit. But in this case, it's perfect. It fills the pond and the extra water falls into the substrate beneath the surrounding rocks which remain dry. Once the water is in the drainage area, it will either evaporate or I will siphon it out when I do my weekly cleaning.

I have added a Philodendron to the plants to make sure there were even more leaves to perch on.

I had a few exchanges today with Mark Pepper. He stated that these frogs were quite hardy once they settle. I'm counting the days.

[clownonfire]

Update

After a few weeks of research, group discussions, and pictures, I have learned from Corey W that we have Atelopus hoogmoedi and not Atelopus spumarius. "Hoogmoedi" is not a sub-species of A. spumarius but its own species. Quoting Corey: "Spumarius does not range into the Guyana Shield, all the formerly known as spumarius hoogmoedi and spumarius barbitini are now their own species. Just a case of relatives looking similar."

RE: Phylogeography and demography of Guianan harlequin toads (Atelopus): diversification within a refuge - Noonan and Gaucher

Eric