Any Frog Recommendations for a Newbie?

Domenic · 05-21-2010, 08:43 PM

In the "finch community", zebra finches are notorious for being extremely easy to care for, eye-catching, very easy to breed, and very cheap. Whenever we get a newbie in the finch world, the first species to be recommended will always be the zebra finch. I was wondering if there was a zebra finch equivalent for the dart frog world? At the moment, I only have the room and money for a ten gallon tank. I understand that many dart frogs outgrow this size habitat, is there a hardy species that will not outgrow it? How much money will I be spending for a pair of beginner dart frogs? Where can I generally find dart frogs?

Also, can someone recommend me to a good dart frog care website? I am so new to this anything that will give me a good start will be greatly appreciated.

srrrio · 05-22-2010, 02:41 AM

Hi Domenic,

Usually with new dart keepers their are 3 types most recommended: auratus, tinctorius, and leucomelas. With your tank size 2 auratus would be ok, they are easy to breed, and have many color variations, but can be shy. I do not keep leucs but they seem to be the most popular "first frogs" and are bolder.

There are a number of web sites ,including this one, that have very experienced keepers and you will learn much reading through threads. Sponsors and classified of this site are a good place to start checking on prices of frogs and suppplies you will need.

Lastly there are a couple of dart keepers in Las Vegas , including myself! I hope you decide to take the plunge when you are ready, the more local people the better! This can come in very handy if you have a fruit fly shortage, or want to split new supplements and well, the list goes on....Just keep researching and asking questions, and if you want to pm me with your email address I can let you know when there is a get together of some sort.

Sally

406frogger · 05-23-2010, 11:02 PM

I m a vegas frogger too for 6 weeks!! Any questions feel free to ask.

---------- Post added at 07:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:13 PM ----------

i just noticed I didnt really answer your question lol but back to you post. I would really urge you to look for viv larger than a 10, at a minimum at 20 even if it means saving a little while longer. It will give you many more options, and provide a pair of frogs a much better quality of life.

As for beginner species there are many options, D. tinctorius, D. leucomelas, D. auratus, A. galactonotus, P. terribilis, P. bicolor, P. vittatus, E. tricolor or anthonyi (often considered the beginner frog in Europe). I would not recommend a 10 as it would be too small for a pair terribilis, bicolor, or tinctorius. However you could get away with a pair of the others in a 10 if you were pressed to do so.

leefi1 · 07-15-2010, 04:35 PM

I started with azureas, I love their bold personalities and general vigor... a small tank can stress frogs out due to too few options for activity and for cover. If you can go a bit larger and furnish the tank fully before you acquire the frogs- all will go better for you and the frogs.
Just as with an aquarium, being too anxious for the Frog (or fish) component isn't ideal. Reading a general book on terraria is a real advantage, especially if you've never kept a mature aquarium with a balanced ecology. In reality, the biotope for dartfrogs is a slightly less humid aquarium than the one for fish!

05-21-2010, 08:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Domenic Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2	Any Frog Recommendations for a Newbie? In the "finch community", zebra finches are notorious for being extremely easy to care for, eye-catching, very easy to breed, and very cheap. Whenever we get a newbie in the finch world, the first species to be recommended will always be the zebra finch. I was wondering if there was a zebra finch equivalent for the dart frog world? At the moment, I only have the room and money for a ten gallon tank. I understand that many dart frogs outgrow this size habitat, is there a hardy species that will not outgrow it? How much money will I be spending for a pair of beginner dart frogs? Where can I generally find dart frogs? Also, can someone recommend me to a good dart frog care website? I am so new to this anything that will give me a good start will be greatly appreciated.

05-22-2010, 02:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
srrrio Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3	Las Vegas Hi Domenic, Usually with new dart keepers their are 3 types most recommended: auratus, tinctorius, and leucomelas. With your tank size 2 auratus would be ok, they are easy to breed, and have many color variations, but can be shy. I do not keep leucs but they seem to be the most popular "first frogs" and are bolder. There are a number of web sites ,including this one, that have very experienced keepers and you will learn much reading through threads. Sponsors and classified of this site are a good place to start checking on prices of frogs and suppplies you will need. Lastly there are a couple of dart keepers in Las Vegas , including myself! I hope you decide to take the plunge when you are ready, the more local people the better! This can come in very handy if you have a fruit fly shortage, or want to split new supplements and well, the list goes on....Just keep researching and asking questions, and if you want to pm me with your email address I can let you know when there is a get together of some sort. Sally

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05-23-2010, 11:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
406frogger Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Billings, Mt Posts: 16 Real Name: Bryce Meyer	I m a vegas frogger too for 6 weeks!! Any questions feel free to ask. ---------- Post added at 07:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:13 PM ---------- i just noticed I didnt really answer your question lol but back to you post. I would really urge you to look for viv larger than a 10, at a minimum at 20 even if it means saving a little while longer. It will give you many more options, and provide a pair of frogs a much better quality of life. As for beginner species there are many options, D. tinctorius, D. leucomelas, D. auratus, A. galactonotus, P. terribilis, P. bicolor, P. vittatus, E. tricolor or anthonyi (often considered the beginner frog in Europe). I would not recommend a 10 as it would be too small for a pair terribilis, bicolor, or tinctorius. However you could get away with a pair of the others in a 10 if you were pressed to do so.

07-15-2010, 04:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
leefi1 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 4	I started with azureas, I love their bold personalities and general vigor... a small tank can stress frogs out due to too few options for activity and for cover. If you can go a bit larger and furnish the tank fully before you acquire the frogs- all will go better for you and the frogs. Just as with an aquarium, being too anxious for the Frog (or fish) component isn't ideal. Reading a general book on terraria is a real advantage, especially if you've never kept a mature aquarium with a balanced ecology. In reality, the biotope for dartfrogs is a slightly less humid aquarium than the one for fish!