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markun
Pondweed
United Kingdom
10 Posts |
 Posted - 20/08/2009 : 00:41:06
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Hi I'm considering taking on some fire bellied toads and I wanted to ask you guys' advice.
What's the best shop bought set up? I want to have a half and half set up, looking on the net there are all kinds of tanks, vivaria and aquaria but I figure something simple is best, any advice?
It seems most people say room temperature is best but I read in a couple of places recommendations to have an extra heat source. Any thoughts on this?
Also are they noisy? I live in a top floor flat.
Sorry for all the questions but it's my first pet since childhood and I'm doing lots of research to get things right.
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punkman
Tadpole
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2009 : 11:40:46
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they do fine at room temperature, males can be noisy when calling for a mate, its not loud, but can gety aggrivating after a while lol.
beware going into a shop to buy a set up as they generaly sell you anthing they can and the poor toads end up with something far to small.
Id say get hold of an old fish tank, make it escape proof, add substrate, live plants if possible and a shallow water dish which the toads can soak in but still keep heads above water, and your all sorted. |
LOVE PUNK-HATE RACISM
HATE HOMOPHOBIA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFOBdoWLnRI&feature=PlayList&p=3899DB3A44FFDD8D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2
htpp://punkradiocast.com |
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punkman
Tadpole
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
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StephenLS
Pondweed
United Kingdom
21 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2009 : 12:09:31
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You couldn't pick a better starter species. Fire Bellies are really entertaining
I would recommend the 45x45x45 exoterra faunarium for a group of 4! It's water tight and has good viewing and access!
I used to keep some in one of these filled with 2-3 inches of water, heavily planted with a couple of haul out areas that I believe are made by zoo-med for turtles! (alternatively you could buy some gravel and just slope it from one side to the other)
If you have a large water section I would advise the use of an internal power filter!
Are you considering European firebellies or Oriental?
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punkman
Tadpole
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
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markun
Pondweed
United Kingdom
10 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2009 : 13:57:12
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This sounds great, I'm actually looking forward to making a habitat for them as much as i am actually getting and looking after the toads.
@StephenLS, I'm thinking of Oriental, the Korean variety.
What is te optimum number? I was thinking of 2, is a group of 4 better? |
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StephenLS
Pondweed
United Kingdom
21 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2009 : 19:20:06
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Orientals are great and just that little bit bigger and more colourful which is nice!
A pair would be fine, but if you have the space go for a larger group...the more the better quite honestly as you will see a lot more interaction and behaviour...and potentially spawn aswell!
The noise isn't that bad really. I have some Green Treefrogs and FBTs don't really compare on that front...they should be fine in your flat! |
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markun
Pondweed
United Kingdom
10 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2009 : 20:45:32
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| Cool, I'm hoping to get quite a big tank so maybe I'll go for four. But what do I do if I get spawn?! |
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Kazerella
The Amphibian Administrator
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 21/08/2009 : 13:10:52
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Depends really- I would try and rear them all, but it depends on how much spawn there is. If you have thousands then it would be too costly and time consuming to sort them all out.
You can always sell or away some of the spawn if you want to give every egg a chance  |
 
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markun
Pondweed
United Kingdom
10 Posts |
Posted - 22/08/2009 : 00:26:00
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| Ok, I think I can cope with that. Are there any recomendations for suppliers? |
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Jono2411
Pondweed
35 Posts |
Posted - 23/08/2009 : 14:46:07
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here is a pic of my setup...
there is another plant in there now and the water filter is hidden under the tree stump...
FBTs are awesome |
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markun
Pondweed
United Kingdom
10 Posts |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 00:10:57
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| They look great, I'm shopping around for a tank now, the one I liked didn't have a lid though |
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punkman
Tadpole
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 09:40:25
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My only problem with the mainly water tank or a 50/50 is that the food items[especialy crickets]invariably end up drowning before being eaten.
Thats why I prefer the terrestrial with large water bowl method.
I do keep my mossy frogs in a 50/50 type set up, but get over the problem by offering crickets in a plastic dish which i float on the water. most of thr crickets cant escape from this and the frogs just jump in and eat as they please |
LOVE PUNK-HATE RACISM
HATE HOMOPHOBIA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFOBdoWLnRI&feature=PlayList&p=3899DB3A44FFDD8D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2
htpp://punkradiocast.com |
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Kazerella
The Amphibian Administrator
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 10:57:12
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That's a good idea Punkman
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Jono2411
Pondweed
35 Posts |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 15:44:26
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| i havent had any problems with drowning crickets as they always swim to the land bits... or if they dont then i give them a nudge with some tongs... |
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markun
Pondweed
United Kingdom
10 Posts |
Posted - 24/08/2009 : 19:59:35
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I was thinking of having a tank with substrate and living plants
moss etc and a clear accrylic container in one corner with water and rocks that could easily be removed to replace the water. Does that sound ok? |
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Topic |
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Advice for first-time keeper
