Salty's Paludarium of splendour

[saltynay]

Planned stocking
2 White lipped Tree frog - Litoria infrafrenata
2 Gold dust day gecko - Phelsuma laticauda
4 African dwarf frogs - Hymenochirus boettgeri
8 Chilli/Mosquito rasbora -Boraras brigittae
3 Indonesian floating frogs - Occidozyga lima (perhaps)
8 Endler males - Poecilia sp
6 khuli loaches - Acanthophthalmus kuhlii
1 Siamese fighter male - Betta splenden
Red cherry shrimp
Amano shrimp
horned nerites

50 gallon tall tank with a rock stack forming a large overhang supporting the terrestrial area above approx 1 feet across. A drift wood branch at the rear of the tank allowing a gradual slope so the geckos and tree frogs can easily get out when needed. The terrestrial area will have a trickling stream/river and plunge pool at 1.5" depth it should allow them to recognise where to bathe. Not sure on planting, thinking some riparium style plant boxes along the length of the aquarium with some dracaena sanderiana and some broad leafed plants. Aquatic wise was thinking a lawn of echinodorus tennellus, amazon swords and elodea. I know that reptiles generally should not be mixed but I have read that tree frogs and day geckos are compatible through my research. If the floating frogs become prey that is fine depending on how cheap they are and I am unsure on getting them.

[FuEl]

Phelsuma laticauda are moderately-sized Phelsumas. Litoria infrafrenata get quite large and will eventually end up eating them. I have experience with Phelsumas, the P. laticauda usually appear for sale as very young specimens, easily fitting into the mouth of your L. infrafrenata. Even if the gold dust geckos are adult size, their body is quite thin and it is risky. Your safer bet would be bigger Phelsumas like P. madagascariensis or P. standingi which have thicker bodies as adults and are more unlikely to get eaten.

[saltynay]

P. madagascariensis was my second choice but I thought it might be too big given its large size and my arborealscaping may cause them to plung into the relatively large pool of water below. I chose the white lipped tree frog due to their non-agressive nature and their relative easy of care. Can you reccomend another tree frog which would be more appropriate? I originally was looking at white's tree frog but though the high toxicity of the skin may cause issues. I will be setting up this palaudarum once I am in Thailand so any input on what species are particularly hard to come by would be greatly appreciated.

[FuEl]

L. infrafrenata is the largest treefrog species. I would'nt trust most small or moderate sized geckos with them. White's treefrog are no better, they eat almost anything.

I would suggest getting the smaller sized Phelsumas along with smaller frogs. The bio-fouling will not be that bad in such a small vivarium.

Phelsuma quadriocellata quadriocellata is a good size and it is quite common in Thailand. Occasionally available is also P. klemmeri. For frogs you could try mantellas. Get adult sized specimens like M. viridis or M. betsileo and you should be quite safe. You could consider M. laevigata but these tend to be smaller and require smaller prey items IME. If you want a treefrog do consider either Hyla chinensis or the red-eye treefrog.

[Tristan]

no pictures?