Keeping multiple dart frog species in a large vivarium

[Kurt]

Dendrobates and Phyllobates. Not sure what web site you speak of. In theory, there would be no cross contaminations because captive bred dart frogs are suposedly non toxic. Not sure I 100% buy that. One thing to consider is the fact that a lot of dart frogs are terratorial and thaty could present problems.

Like I said, if it were I that was putting this tank together, I would stick to one species.

[sepgundamrg]

Amphibiancare.com >> Mixing and Keeping Different Species of Reptiles and Amphibians Together

Certain species of poison dart frogs (Dendrobatids) have been kept together successfully by some hobbyists. Avoid any species that could potentially produce hybrids, instead sticking to dart frogs from different genera such as Dendrobates azureus with Phyllobates bicolor.

[Kurt]

Well, that is Devin Edmonds site, so I will support his opinion. He has been working with amphibians longer than me and has published two books, that I know of.

[JeffX]

From my brief interest and study of Dart Frogs it's always been frowned upon. Doesn't mean it can't be done especially that size of tank. However I wouldn't do it though.

[tylototriton]

If you wanna mix, and I understand the temptation, how about sticking with species that naturally occur together. Something like Costa Rican species (Dendrobates auratus, Phyllobates lugubris, Oophaga pumilio) not only will they not interbreed, but they are basically from the same habitat.

Alex

[sepgundamrg]

If you wanna mix, and I understand the temptation, how about sticking with species that naturally occur together. Something like Costa Rican species (Dendrobates auratus, Phyllobates lugubris, Oophaga pumilio) not only will they not interbreed, but they are basically from the same habitat.

Alex

Thats what I'm wanting to do, they will have the same care requirements and they would have many more colors then just 1 species. As for the species I get, I would only get 1 morph of each.

[nx2ured]

Please do not mix different species of darts especially Tincs as they WILL fight (and you are guaranteed to lose frogs) and will also interbreed. interbreed. Even the Auratus (different color morphs WILL interbreed). Why not just stick to a group of auratus, imitators, leucs, or galacs as they can be kept in groups and will not die from stress if placed into a tank full of various morphs.

[Wyomingite]

Kind of an old topic, but have a query, folks. On a slight variation, can a species of dart frog be mixed in a large vivarium with a tree frog species? This is making the assumption that all stock is from a reliable source, disease free, have similar ambient requirements for humidity, temperature, etc. and will have minimal conflict in daily activities.

FWIW, from a purist fish guy, the potential of hybridization as well as crossbreeding of morphs within a species truly needs to be minimized, especially when dealing with species, subspecies and morphs that may be threatened in the wild. The introduction of DNA from an outside source, whether another species or a color morph of the same species, will alter the genotype, reducing the usefulness of and/or rendering the bloodline useless in later breeding programs. In addition to not having a pure genotype, the resulting offspring may carry recessive traits which may not appear immediately, but may manifest as undesirable or deleterious phenotypic traits in later generations. I've had a similar discussion with many fellow cichlid enthusiasts who see no harm in hybridizing fish that they plan on keeping, and admittedly many hybrids are attractive in their own right. However, if these hybrids are irresponsibly or accidently passed into general circulation, well...entire bloodlines of a species could become lost. Interspecies injection of DNA into a bloodline should only be practiced in the extreme circumstance of a genetic bottleneck in a species, and then should be practiced with caution.

My hands-on experience is mainly with ungulates and carnivora at a higher level and is a bit out-dated, and with fish as a hobbyist. Not too familiar with Anuran genetics, but I feel safe sayin' that I'm sure plenty of frog and toad hybrids are fertile in the F1 generation.

Not tryin' to irritate anyone, I know an opinionated, know-it-all newb can be a bit irritating. Have had a few at my home site, FWM. Just wanted to throw some food for thought out there for somethin' I feel strongly 'bout.

WYite

[Kurt]

Please do not mix different species of darts especially Tincs as they WILL fight (and you are guaranteed to lose frogs) and will also interbreed.

So its kind of like the Jerry Springer Show? Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!