For many decades, there has been a widely held belief that the Dart Frog is an aquatic species and as such should be contained in a fish tank rather than being kept in a habitat with plants. In recent years however, there have been extensive studies which have demonstrated that the Dart Frog can indeed live happily alongside other terrestrial species in the wild. This has led to suggestions of keeping both land and aquatic species in the same terrarium in order to provide a greater range of interesting and attractive displays.
One suggestion, which is now gaining in favour is that of using both surface and ground species of plants in the same aquarium. It is well known that the Dart Frog can jump up to twelve inches from the water’s surface, so it is not only the safety factors of having plants at various heights that must be taken into account. The advantage of using both types of aquatic plants is that the dart frog will be able to grasp and eat its aquatic plants if they are placed above the water line. Similarly, the plants on the land side of the terrarium can also be used if there are terrestrial species present in the tank.
There are a number of different plants that have been successfully kept in the hands of owners who have kept amphibians. These include Java Fern, Java Moss and Water lettuce. The first two can be used successfully in a system designed specifically for Dart Frogs, while Water Lettuce should not be used unless you are certain it is not threatened by the Dart Frog itself. These two plants require less water to thrive than most terrestrial plants and do not compete with it for food. This means that they can be used alongside Java Fern or Water lettuce to help ensure that neither fish nor land animals take all of the food.
For the Dart Frog to hide, it needs a dense under current so it is important that any artificial plants which you use are able to move with the currents. Some floating plants can be effective, as long as you make sure they can get enough air into the substrate. Care must be taken when moving these types, as they may be blown away if strong winds are encountered. You should always try to keep them on plants that are easier to move, such as Java Fern.
When deciding on the type of plants that you will use, it is also important to think about the space in which the terrarium will be set up. Some species can completely dominate others in a very small area, and you may find that they begin to dominate the entire terrarium. It is important that there is enough room for the Dart Frog to move around comfortably, and that the other amphibians and fish remain at the same level in the aquarium.
If you are going to use artificial plants, make sure that they do not grow too fast, as this can hinder movement in the fish. They also need to provide adequate lighting for Dart Frogs. If you live somewhere that does not get a lot of sunlight, then these plants will be of no use. A combination of artificial plants and gravel will give them enough shade for comfort and to avoid drying out. Fish will also benefit from additional sources of light, as they like to feed during the day. Artificial plants will help keep fungus under control, which is a big problem in many species.
When putting these fish in the terrarium, you will also want to make sure that you have a deep enough water tank. The bigger the tank, the better, because they will need room to swim and breathe at the same time. If you keep them in a small tank, they will take up too much space, and your pet fish will not have enough room to swim and relax.
One of the best dart plant options for keeping your amphibians healthy and happy are Water Lily. This is a floating plant, which means that you can place it in the water without having to support it with a plant. They do require lots of water though, so make sure that you have plenty of it in the tank. With the proper care, Water Lily will provide your fish with an environment they love, while still maintaining its safety.