Fire belly toads

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Bottomfeeder said:
Yeah that was a little pointed, I apologize. I was just a little taken aback by the comparison between a two inch animal eating a piece of gravel, and a minute amount of chitin, which is present in the exoskeletons of almost all of their prey items. The difference, to me, is so clear-cut that to compare the made my head spin a little, but again, I apologize for putting a bit too fine a point on it
Click to expand...
It's not as fine point as you may think, there's a lot of opinions out there, just relax and work on breaking things down for a conclusion - like I said, that's how groups of scientists figure stuff out - they keep it calm and look for a logical answer to everything. Much easier to work together that way; I don't remember David Attenborough ever telling anyone to "take a biology class" LMAO

I think this is great thread with a lot of information, so I'd rather not cheat our readers by taking it to PM for the sake of presentation, but I don't want this to look trashy either, and I'm sure the OP doesn't as well. Apology accepted and likewise if you felt offended by anything I said. Please, let us continue then......
 
That's about it. I've laid out the formula by which I have kept my small group of toads fat, happy, and healthy for years. I find them to be a very fun, personable, and fascinating species to keep. The main things to remember are: anything that isn't tied down is liable to be eaten, and you're gonna be cleaning lots of poo.

Oh, and one more thing: my first firebelly toad when I was thirteen or so. I kept it in a glass aquarium with a moss substrate and an aquarium hood. Don't do that. Within four days, the moss fouled, the ammonia spiked, and the toad got distressed and broke out... and that was the end of that experiment. Don't underestimate their persistence when they want out. That's another reason I prefer rubbermaid crates... the lid snaps on, and they cant push their way out. (I did try using a different brand of crate that was longer, and thus had more slack areas, and they were able to break out) You definitely don't want these guys roaming your house, especially if you have dogs and cats.

I re-entered the firebelly toad game a few years later, armed with newfound knowledge, and the experience has been far different. If you're doing it right, this species is absolutely fantastic, and a great first herp to work with.
 
My 1st thought about the filter is to bury it in the gravel, but since you don't like gravel you wouldn't do that - I have buried many submersible filter in the gravel and simply waited for the surface disturbance to slow, then just dig it out and clean it. Submersibles have flow-control valves that can be set to minimal outflow or maximum - hiding it completely and handyman-ing a hook-up to a waterfall would also eliminate the issue you mentioned. There are ways around it, just have to think deeper into it.

2nd thoughts, I still don't see the point of mealworms when you already have wax/butterworms....seems like the risk/reward factor is a bit one-sided. Mealworms are mostly fat from I gather anyway....they have SOME protein, but it's not as much as the other 2, or some good ol' earthworms....1st part under "In Captivity" :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_fire-bellied_toad

it's just Wikipedia, but chances are a lot of people encountered issues with them if it's on Wikipedia. Not going to be there for a few isolated incidents, IMO
 
To use the logic you gave earlier regarding the rocks... that is, they may consume rock matter in the wild... do you think toads will pass up beetle larvae in the wild? This species has been known to consume all manner of insects, annelids, small fish, smaller amphibians... pretty much anything that moves. Nobody is saying they should feed heavily upon mealworms... in fact, I believe I said they should be used sparingly... but they wont have a problem eating a mealworm here or there. If you're worried, you could cut them in half, or wait for the mealworms to molt, when they're soft and white.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Frank Castle
Bottomfeeder said:
To use the logic you gave earlier regarding the rocks... that is, they may consume rock matter in the wild... do you think toads will pass up beetle larvae in the wild? This species has been known to consume all manner of insects, annelids, small fish, smaller amphibians... pretty much anything that moves. Nobody is saying they should feed heavily upon mealworms... in fact, I believe I said they should be used sparingly... but they wont have a problem eating a mealworm here or there. If you're worried, you could cut them in half, or wait for the mealworms to molt, when they're soft and white.
Click to expand...
It's a matter of asking yourself that big question:


"Do I really want to take that risk when I don't have to and there's really no good reason for me to do it because I already have a good source of food items at my disposal (more than enough)?"
 
Hahaha you guys are funny.

Any way these things are boring man. Not getting rid of them or anything as it was a gift to my son... funny the wife and kids said they would take care of them like everyother pet.... yet another animal they con'd me with
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey and Frank Castle
Frank Castle said:
It's a matter of asking yourself that big question:


"Do I really want to take that risk when I don't have to and there's really no good reason for me to do it because I already have a good source of food items at my disposal (more than enough)?"
Click to expand...


It's a calculated risk, and because these are generalistic feeders in the wild, the occasional consumption won't hurt them. In fact, I believe the benefits of a varied diet greatly outweigh the potential downsides. I would be very concerned about a toad that ate nothing but mealworms. But that is not the case.

Let me ask you. What exactly is the risk we're talking about here? Impaction? Upset tummies? Constipation? If it's impaction... you already took the moss and the rocks out of your enclosure, right? ;)
 
Bottomfeeder said:
It's a calculated risk, and because these are generalistic feeders in the wild, the occasional consumption won't hurt them. In fact, I believe the benefits of a varied diet greatly outweigh the potential downsides. I would be very concerned about a toad that ate nothing but mealworms. But that is not the case.

Let me ask you. What exactly is the risk we're talking about here? Impaction? Upset tummies? Constipation? If it's impaction... you already took the moss and the rocks out of your enclosure, right? ;)
Click to expand...
impaction, yes.

I don't keep amphibians right now, and my last 20 snakes I have for sale are at my partner's house. I just keep fish now.
 
I fed the toads pancakes with blueberry syrup and they loved it
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wailua Boy
jaws7777 said:
Hahaha you guys are funny.

Any way these things are boring man. Not getting rid of them or anything as it was a gift to my son... funny the wife and kids said they would take care of them like everyother pet.... yet another animal they con'd me with
Click to expand...



I know exactly what you mean lol.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jaws7777
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom