Selecting a Clean-up Crew

[DanDrobates]

Which region of Texas are you modeling your biome after? Arid like Southwest Texas or humid like south east Texas

[BufoFett]

Which region of Texas are you modeling your biome after? Arid like Southwest Texas or humid like south east Texas

Humid south east. Definitely freshwater wetlands. I’m actually using collections from Addicks Reservoir near Houston.

[DanDrobates]

Since your building a wet biome there are quite a few species of isopods that are appropriate. My advise would be to check out glass box tropicals. They carry quite a few different species with thorough descriptions. If you’re going for a strict “natives only” only biome you may have to do some research or collect native species if alloweds by law. I’d would advise against introducing snails though. They carry a large host of parasites and they will feed on your plants. You may want to consider springtails (collemboa) they are easy to culture and are too small for most vertebrates to feed on.

[Larry Wardog]

Since your building a wet biome there are quite a few species of isopods that are appropriate. My advise would be to check out glass box tropicals. They carry quite a few different species with thorough descriptions. If you’re going for a strict “natives only” only biome you may have to do some research or collect native species if alloweds by law. I’d would advise against introducing snails though. They carry a large host of parasites and they will feed on your plants. You may want to consider springtails (collemboa) they are easy to culture and are too small for most vertebrates to feed on.

Large snails won't necessarily feed on your plants. I have Large Land Snails in a tank and they like carrots and broccoli and actually fruits and vegetables. My plants have been fine.

The snails have a parasite that may effect the frogs and give them a disease. There is a study done that they carry a disease that effects amphibians but it's activated when the birds that eat them poop the snails into the water where the amphibians breed.

I do not know if they carry the parasite and can pass it on to the frogs without being killed. I am going to get the native tree frog that lives in the same tank as the snails check by a vet to see if he has an odd disease. If he does then yes they can catch it. I became aware of this after I kept him in with the snails and there is nowhere for either of them to go as my quarantine tanks are filled up currently so they will be neighbors indefinitely.

Ido not think that you should use them. What species are you considering?

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[BufoFett]

Thanks guys. I've gone ahead and made plant collections. The paludarium is finished. ill figure out how to get the video up in a bit. I made sure that there wasn't too many hitch hikers by doing a rinse before planting. The whole thing is getting aclimatized now.
I decided to forego the snails. I am now culturing the Arm. vulgare, since it seems they are so pervasive that i should just consider them naturalized if not native.
Dan, I did try to research the native isopods, but by my reckoning none are suitble for the purpose. I will try to collect some aquatic specimens soon. Thanks for being aware on the legal front. I'm a massive proponent of that. I have a hunting and fishing license and have inquired to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department as to what is permissible. Also, it is apart of general education in texas to know the in's-and-out's of collecting plants. Every single kid in highschool has to participate in a wildflower project where the collect specimens for biology. Its a huge deal here to know how to treat the wildlife.
Im rambling lol

[BufoFett]

[DanDrobates]

That’s a nice build. I’m sure it will look great once it grows in. That’s also interesting that Texas takes such a strong stance regarding conservation through education. I live 15 miles from New York City and the attitude here towards wildlife and the environment in general is to fear it, bulldoze it and throw up 3 floor condos on it.