Need advice

PlantedGourami · Oct 31, 2026

Hello, I recently got a 36 in tall x 18 in deep x 36 in wide zoomed paludarium for free from someone I knew (does need a door replacement, I currently don't have any photos of it) and I'm not sure what to put in it, and whether I should do a terrarium or paludarium with it
Does anyone have any advice for stocking either a terrarium or paludarium? I haven't kept any reptiles before this but I plan to do as much research as possible before buying anything.

Cyberfish · Nov 1, 2026

Depends on what you want. Geckos would do well in a terrarium (Like Day Geckos), and newts would do well in a paludarium. (You could have a colony of 5 Alpine Newts) Frogs are also an option; dart frogs or fire-bellied toads would do well, so it really depends on what you want. You have a lot of options. It's a really large tank, so if you tell us what you want, I can give you more advice.

PlantedGourami · Nov 1, 2026

I'm still not quite sure
If I did a crested gecko it would probably do well in a terrarium and it's probably one of the easiest but I could only have one
I could do a colony if vampire crabs but I'm not sure if they're difficult for a paludarium and Idk if they'll use the height
would fire bellied toads use a paludarium? Ideally I'd want a relatively large water space for a paludarium
Also would the fire bellied toads use the height or are they ground only
I've thought of white's tree frogs too but I've heard they need lower humidity before and my room usually hovers around 60-70% humidity
I really think the emerald tree skink is cool I'm just worried about how fast they are (I have cats) and I've read they're intermediate level reptiles

Cyberfish · Nov 1, 2026

I could do a colony if vampire crabs but I'm not sure if they're difficult for a paludarium and Idk if they'll use the height

Likely will not use the full heigt

I really think the emerald tree skink is cool I'm just worried about how fast they are (I have cats) and I've read they're intermediate level reptiles

I've never kept them; they are cool and difficult to catch if they leave the enclosure, but they're not to hard too keep from what I know

would fire bellied toads use a paludarium? Ideally I'd want a relatively large water space for a paludarium

They would go into the water, but make sure it's not too deep because they're not good swimmers.

I've thought of white's tree frogs too but I've heard they need lower humidity before and my room usually hovers around 60-70% humidity

They should be fine at that humidity. Their ideal humidity is 50-70%.

Still this all depends on what you want. For example, if I had that tank it would be filled with newts or day geckos. You have a very versatile enclosure

PlantedGourami · Nov 1, 2026

Still this all depends on what you want. For example, if I had that tank it would be filled with newts or day geckos. You have a very versatile enclosure

What species of day gecko would you do?
Also, would newts use the height of the tank?

Cyberfish · Nov 2, 2026

What species of day gecko would you do?

Gold Dust are really good and easy for beginners, although in a tank your size you have options, like Peacocks, Neons, or Lined day geckos. You could keep a group of ~3-4 in that tank.

Also, would newts use the height of the tank?

Depends. Most wont, but you have a few options that will take the entire tank, such as Aneides salamanders (Often called climbing salamanders, though they can be pricey) or Marbled Salamanders (Again, can be pricey). You can keep around 5 marbled newts or 3 Aneides salamanders. They will both use the full enclosure.

Others won't really climb unless you create shallow ramps.

Another option is Green Anoles, I've also heard they do well and are easy to keep. You could keep 4-5 in a harem (1 male and the rest female)

PlantedGourami · Nov 2, 2026

Gold Dust are really good and easy for beginners, although in a tank your size you have options, like Peacocks, Neons, or Lined day geckos. You could keep a group of ~3-4 in that tank.

Day geckos are cool but I've heard they have easily tearing skin and you can't handle them

Another option is Green Anoles, I've also heard they do well and are easy to keep. You could keep 4-5 in a harem

My main concern with green anoles is how small and fast they are, if they escape I have 3 cats and 4-5 moving reptilian cat treats

I probably won't go with the newts since like you said most don't use height and the one that does needs specialized care and is pretty pricey

Do you think it would be best to go for something like a crested gecko? I've heard they're some of the easiest reptiles especially since their main diet is powdered food and they're pretty forgiving care wise from what I've heard

Cyberfish · Nov 2, 2026

A crested gecko would be fine. You could keep only 1 though. They make great pets and are really easy to keep.

PlantedGourami · Nov 2, 2026

Should I do a crested gecko or a group of something like whites tree frogs?

Cyberfish · Nov 2, 2026

It all depends on what you want. Both are easy to keep and make good pets. However, both have their cons:

Crested Gecko:
Can be aggressive and sometimes bite you (not fun)
Can only keep 1

If you handle them too much or suddenly, their tail will fall of and WILL NOT grow back

White's Tree Frog:
Might be noisy at night
Should not be handled too often, but occasionally is fine
Requires calcium and vitamin dusting on their food; should only be fed twice-three times a wekk as they are prone to obesity

PlantedGourami · Nov 2, 2026

I'll probably do a heavy bit of research before I get either because I find them both appealing for different reasons

I've heard there are some semi-arboreal vampire crabs (orchid vampire crabs, white mandarin vampire crabs, etc.) though so I'm still pretty interested in those

Need advice

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