What is the Best Tree Frog for a display

[Rocko]

I'm just gonna say it, fudge dart frogs (no offense to the people who keep them of course). You want colorful, day active, large (but not so large they break everything) frogs? That can climb on land or and additionally swim in water? Fire belly toads. Entertaining to one and all, bright red bellies, neon green tops these things I swear never sleep day or night. If what you are looking for is something that visiting folks see and immediately get the idea from? Go with fire belly toads. Just my 2 cents...

[tylototriton]

John, I can't believe you're giving out photography secrets! Hahah.

All these responses raise valid points. In the end, it depends on your taste and budget. I love Bombina (Fire Bellies) but you mention that your tank is more vertically oriented, and they wont use that vertical space. However, that doesn't rule them out. You can certainly design a very nice planted aquaterrarium with tall plants in the back. Not only are they diurnal, active, and colorful, but they're dirt cheap.

Alex

[bshmerlie]

I'm just gonna say it, fudge dart frogs (no offense to the people who keep them of course).

You are only saying this because you have never kept them. I have long considered myself a tree frog person and then about 5 weeks ago I got myself two Cobalts for a display tank at work. I wanted frogs that would be bold and active and awake all day. And that's them. I get there in the morning the lights come on and I tap the fruit fly container on the counter in front of their tank and they come running. They're like cats when you turn on the can opener or dogs at dinner time. They come up to the front...they start tapping their toes. They are on my desk at work and as I sit there they are watching me. If I move to the other side of the tank they follow me. They are the most engaging frogs I own. I've got some firebellies, who are very active little frogs, but the cobalts do put them to shame. You can't beat them when it comes to interacting with your pets. Give them a try...you'll be a believer.

[DonLisk]

No wonder nothing is getting done at work Cheri! LOL

've been watching my Dart all morning and where went the time, I'm almost late :-)

[bshmerlie]

No wonder nothing is getting done at work Cheri! LOL

've been watching my Dart all morning and where went the time, I'm almost late :-)

LOL.....Probably.. That's the only advantage of being the boss ...you can bring your frogs to work.

[Rocko]

Well Cheri I will grant you that I do not have darts. I just get a bit annoyed when it seems like you aren't a real frog keeper if you don't have a dart's terrarium somewhere. Plus I like the cool mixed eco system a firebelly tank can provide by having both the terrestrialish frogs, as well as some sort of aquatic companions.

[clownonfire]

Well Cheri I will grant you that I do not have darts. I just get a bit annoyed when it seems like you aren't a real frog keeper if you don't have a dart's terrarium somewhere. Plus I like the cool mixed eco system a firebelly tank can provide by having both the terrestrialish frogs, as well as some sort of aquatic companions.

My major annoyance with dart frogs has been their owners. And I am not talking about all owners. It's a bit sad the reputation that dart frogs end up getting because of a number of their owners. These frogs are wonderful, I own a pair of vents, and they are by far my favorites (I just hope my other frogs don't hear me). Like Cheri said, they are bold, active, fun to look at. They are also diurnal. Mine have been courting for over 2 weeks now. They are also quite easy to care for, once you have set up the proper enclosure and you get comfortable with the fruit flies part of their main diet.

This being said, there's something of a snob aspect to owning these frogs, like Rocko said. And that has little to do with these wonderful creatures. I have stopped going on dendroboard because of that slightly over the top pride that some have about darts. Again, it's not everyone.

They really are not difficult to keep. Azureus are very hardy, for example...

[bshmerlie]

Eric's right...dart frogs have gotten a bad rep simply because "some" of their owners. I don't even think they realize what they're doing. By making a social "click" they are actually turning off new members from owning these types of frogs. But it doesn't just stop at dart frogs. It seems like a lot of frog keepers break themselves up into categories. You have your "pacman" guys, your "treegrog" people, and your "dart frog" suppremists. Like a "pacman" guy would never own a dart frog. Then you'll have some dart frog people own 100 frogs but not a single tree frog. Why is that? Try different frogs guys and see all aspects of the frog community in a new light. I own pacmans, tree frogs and now darts. Each type of frogs have unique characteristics that make them special. Just get the right frog for your situation. If your at work all day...get nocturnal frogs. If you are at home all day get a diurnal frog. Don't let social reputations keep you from a certain type of frog. "Fudge" the clicks. This is Frog Forum and all frogs are great.