Toads need a new vivarium

[lizgregory]

Hello, I'm new to forums, so I will try to learn how to proceed as I go along. I am happy that there is a place to talk to other frog/toad fans. In my circles there is no one and the pet stores here have very little to offer.I live in rural mid Va. water here is very hard. I have a small reverse osmosis and use tap water treated with antichlorine solution. I work as a nurse and volunteer at a wildlife center in the area. I love animals, all of them. I became caretaker for a pair of firebelly toads a few years ago when their previous owner rehomed them to me. I had a55 gallon tank with a leak high on one side. and looked on internet for examples of vivariums. They were in small plastic container at the time. I built a rock wall with that foam stuff , false bottom , planted it with plants from black jungle and all was ok but not great till now when plants are dying out. Frogs are ok. I heard the firebellies are really frogs not toads. So I'm looking at possibilities to change the vivarium and saw this site. I have regular reflector with a plant t12 and a UVB for reptiles which I leave on very little since it burnt the plants high up on the wall.The frogs only eat crickets, I feel they need more variety but worms dont attract them and I dont know what else to feed them. This is my problem. Thanks for any feedback.

[John]

Welcome to the forum, Liz. Have you read the fire-bellied toad article? I think it covers most of the basics in there. The words "frog" and "toad" mean next to nothing. All toads are frogs. The word toad is just an English term used to describe wartier and/or drier looking frogs. From a scientific naming point of view, fire-bellied toads are not even in the same family of frogs as what we call "true frogs", nor are they in the same family as what we call "true toads".

It sounds like you have a massive aquarium for two small toads. I would consider downsizing. Also keep in mind that the toads do not require lighting. The lights are for your viewing pleasure and the benefit of the plants.

As for food alternatives, Crickets are a good staple food, provided you dust them with vitamin/mineral powder occasionally, and/or you gutload them with a commercial cricket diet. There aren't that many cricket-sized alternative foods for fire-bellied toads but there are suggestions in the fire-bellied toad care article (linked at the left and in the top menu of every page on this site).