Help choosing a species(sorry one of *those* threads)

[adwraith]

It's not as bad as it sounds honest! i've been after a phib for years now and been a long time lurker on here anyway in the summer i'll be in a situation where i'll be able to get something(s)!
There's a fair few species i'd like to look after in the future but i'm going to start with one of a fire salamander, tiger salamander or a horned frog i think. i've always had a thing for those 3 so thought they'd be a good place to start.
I was just wondering if any of them stood out particularly from people who keep them(i know its personal choice)? I mean in terms of being interesting to watch really, though i realise the species i've picked don't necessarily fit that...hence asking.
from everything i've seen horned frogs aren't the most exciting most of the time (except feeding!)which would go down well with the gf as she is terrified of frogs...so mainly is there much difference in tiger and fire activity levels/interaction?
any help would be greatly appreciated!

[rigsby]

All three aint the most interesting of amphibs to keep as all you mention are very secrective and tend to hide out of sight most of the time. if your thinking terrestrial then mandarin newts are a good starter.

[adwraith]

Originally Posted by rigsby

All three aint the most interesting of amphibs to keep as all you mention are very secrective and tend to hide out of sight most of the time. if your thinking terrestrial then mandarin newts are a good starter.

image

ok brilliant thanks, would you say mandarins are that much more interesting/less secretive? as a matter of fact i've been really taken by T.shanjing the last few things i've seen about them, but presumed they were for the more experience phib keeper.i'll definitely look into them i'd love to keep afew species but going to get one to start with then inevitably add to it! i'd rather go with terrestrial at the mo yeah, i just prefer them for some reason...though i'm sure i could be swayed ha.thanks for the reply

[Ron Magpie]

I'm not so up on salamanders, but there are pleny of frog species Way more interesting than horned...

Best Beginner Frog Species

[adwraith]

Originally Posted by Ron Magpie

I'm not so up on salamanders, but there are pleny of frog species Way more interesting than horned...

Best Beginner Frog Species

cheers ron, i have previously looked at that thread but was still useful thanks. i know frogs are abit more of an exciting spectator pet but i don't have the space for a large arboreal or semi-aquatic setup i'd want for lots of species-if i'm going to get something i'm going to do it right. and as i said the OH is really scared of frogs... would love white's in the future tho. horned have always just fascinated me can't put my finger on why but the fact that certain people who keep them are so keen just encourages me! so i think the salamander route it is...i'm not going to rush into anything so will just see i guess!

[aberreef]

Have you considered Dart frogs? Active, small and pretty. Mrs Aberreef thinks they've got the 'bling' factor so may appeal to your gf

[adwraith]

Originally Posted by aberreef

Have you considered Dart frogs? Active, small and pretty. Mrs Aberreef thinks they've got the 'bling' factor so may appeal to your gf

i hadn't really no...thanks will look into them.but like i said to ron if i was going to get something like darts i think i'd want them as a display so give them a really nice natural setup. and to do that i'd end up spending a fortune and just don't have the space(yet!). it's the movement that bothers the gf so that's why i thought i might get away with a horned!

[aberreef]

Originally Posted by adwraith

i hadn't really no...thanks will look into them.but like i said to ron if i was going to get something like darts i think i'd want them as a display so give them a really nice natural setup. and to do that i'd end up spending a fortune and just don't have the space(yet!). it's the movement that bothers the gf so that's why i thought i might get away with a horned!

Sneaky

My first viv measured 40x40x60cm and cost £69, lighting £50, gorilla glue and eco earth background £15, polycell expanding foam £8, wood £20, live soil £8, plants £25 (already had the little orchids). Think thats's everything apart from the frogs which were about £130 per pair (3 different tinc morphs)


Still got some growing in to do but I'm pleased with the results so far
I also converted 2 old fish tanks which would have cost a little more if I bought the vivs



I've added more plants to the second one since but I hope the pics give you some food for thought Not the cheapest but doesn't need to be massive to look good.

[adwraith]

Originally Posted by aberreef

I've added more plants to the second one since but I hope the pics give you some food for thought Not the cheapest but doesn't need to be massive to look good.

that's great thanks, even if i don't get any this time round its really interesting to see how much a good looking setup would cost to get together

EDIT:think i'll have to go for a slightly more budget/basic setup for now...checked the bank balance to see how much i can afford to spend it's not looking good!wasn't intending to get anything till june at the earliest so just need to get saving...

[Ron Magpie]

That's something I tend to forget about; the cost of starting up from scratch. I've collected so many bits and bobs over the years, that when I do a set-up, a good half of it is usually recycled.

I still use one tank I aquired as a teenager (!), although it's on the way out, now.