I started this response yesterday and there have been a couple more responses since then. I won’t change what I have written. I deliberately left out Limnodynastes species as you were quite explict in requesting info on tree frogs. However, I will say from experience that that the two species of Marsh Frogs commonly kept are definitely worthy of consideration if you are open to other genera.
From the dimensions stated, your spare tank is basically just a little narrower than a standard 3’ aquarium. I am not sure where you got your enclosure size information from, but to quote from the ARC care sheet for
Litoria caerulea: A standard 3ft (90cm) aquarium would adequately house three to four adult frogs.” ARC stands for Amphibian Research Centre, a private organization located in Victoria, with an establish reliable reputation. You could, if you wanted to, start with half a dozen or so young, small GTFs. It may be that you just don’t wish to keep GTFs as they get very large and can become quite dumpy in shape. Unfortunately there is no point in providing an expansive list of other potential species if you cannot obtain them.
As already stated, the Red-eyed Tree Frog
L. chloris is far and away the most likely to be readily available from general sources - in fact I noticed some for sale yesterday. ARC do provide a number of species for sale, but you would need to check with them on availability, and the practicalities and legalities of obtaining them given your location. ARC often have the Dainty Tree Frog
L. gracilenta (perhaps not the best beginner species due to its tropical origins) and the Southern Brown Tree Frog
L. ewingi available.
My suggestion would be to get started with something like
L. chloris, which are pretty awesome little characters. This will enable you to develop your keeping skills. Then, if in the future, keep an eye out for
L. citropa, or whatever it is you ultimately want to keep, so that when and if it becomes available you are ready. You might decide to add another enclosure or simply sell off your chloris.
There are a just a few general keeping points on tree frogs that I would make…
- Firstly, do NOT keep big frogs and little frogs together. Frogs are indiscriminate carnivores and they will eat most any living thing they can fit in their mouth, including other frogs, including their own species.
- The majority of Litoria species are terrestrial. For these it is therefore appropriate to have solid substrate and not all water at the base. For example, all chloris needs is a shallow dish of fresh water in which they can comfortably immerse just their body in order to rehydrate. A larger water body is only required when and if you intend to breed them.
- The majority of Litoria like to climb. So provide them with the means to do so and plenty of horizontal or gently sloping perches up high.
- The lid on an enclosure should be soft and not metal as these frogs can damage their snouts by jumping into the screen in an effort to investigate beyond their enclosure.
- Similar, never use sharp or abrasive furnishing that the fogs may injure themselves on when alighting from a higher perch (either intentionally or otherwise). Smooth river stones and pebbles, and smooth wooden ornaments are appropriate.
- To further facilitate climbing and extend the volume of your tank, a soft screened frame can be used instead of a lid that is level with the tank top.
- It is desirable to include include artificial or real plants as furnishings, so that inhabitants feel less exposed and vulnerable when utilizing existing perches. If the leaves are solid enough then the frogs will utilize them as perches as well.
- Live plants are a really good addition to a tree frog enclosure as they will assist in keeping up the desired humidity level. I am happy to make some suggestions if you you would like.
Oops. That was supposed to be just a
few. I think I may have gotten a little carried away there. Never mind, hopefully there are some useful bits in there that you may not have been aware of.
