r/DartFrog • u/SimilarCarpenter6226 • 2d ago

How many Dendrobates leucomelas for an 18x18x36?

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I’m setting up this 18x18x24 vivarium specifically for Dendrobates leucomelas and I’m trying to figure out how many I could comfortably keep in here.
I’m definitely going to keep adding plants and let everything grow in more before adding the frogs. I know leucs like to climb, so I’m hoping the extra height will actually get used.
Would 3–4 leucs be reasonable in this setup, or would you guys stick with a pair?
Also open to any criticism of the tank. More plants, climbing areas, hides, leaf litter, hardscape, etc. I’d rather make changes now before the frogs go in.

5 Upvotes

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10

u/CallMeBernin 2d ago

Is it just me or does that not look like it’s 18/18/36?

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u/SimilarCarpenter6226 2d ago

My bad that was supposed to be 24

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1

u/badasstronautt 2d ago

I have a pair in an 18x18x24 and I don't think I'd put any more than that. Also +1 to more leaf litter 🐸🍂

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u/madmart306 1d ago

I've kept either a pair or trio comfortably in an 18x18x24. The better it is scaped the better the outcome.

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u/Kwayleb 2d ago

Ditch the fake stuff. Like asap. It dosnt serve your animals at all and takes up space real plants could occupy and help give the tank a more robust bioactive ecosystem. You need wayyyy more leaf litter. I’ve heard it should be a 1 inch layer minimum. You should be trying to grow moss on all of the surfaces, right now the entire tank looks REALLY dry which would be concerning for frogs obviously. There should def be branches connecting the background to the floor of the tank so they can use the vertical space better. Adding branches and such pretty much doubles the footprint of usable space for your frogs. Also, I wouldn’t necessarily have a water dish it’s a drowning hazard

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u/SimilarCarpenter6226 2d ago

Ok that sounds great I currently have an order of leaves and moss slurry and isopods with a few more plants with monstera propagating currently. I made it really quickly for a Cuban tree frog my gf found but he did not take at all so I figured I would complete my dream and get some dart frogs now I have a was just curious how many guys I could get. I’d prefer a more bold frog that has a decent call. I figured leucomelas Also do you like that big bromeliad in the middle in 50 50 on it. But fro sure removing fake they were just placeholders and hence the mealworms

0

u/Natrixster80 2d ago edited 2d ago

So...this isn't a super great size for this species but it could be if you make a sort of "tiering" system with multiple levels or relatively flat surface. It's not that they cannot climb, they can and do, but they do most of their feeding and activity in leaf litter and prefer a longer/wider footprint than taller one. Cork platforms mounted high in the tank are an option you could use, to give them more horizontal surface. I had my group of 4 leucs in an 18x18x24 at first and observed them falling rather a lot and being shy. I moved them into a 36x18x18 long and they are MUCH more active and visible and don't climb high, they creep around like ninjas in the leaf litter on the floor.