10 Gallon Tank Beginner Reptiles/amphibians?

I'm planning on setting up a planted 10 gallon paludarium (part water part land) this summer. Are there any good beginner reptiles or amphibians that are semi-aquatic and also fit for a 10g? I've already done some research on fire belly toads, but I want to know of other options. Thanks in advance.

 

I'm planning on setting up a planted 10 gallon paludarium (part water part land) this summer. Are there any good beginner reptiles or amphibians that are semi-aquatic and also fit for a 10g? I've already done some research on fire belly toads, but I want to know of other options. Thanks in advance.

A paladarium is a bit different than what I think you’re thinking. A paladarium has water that covers the entire bottom of the tank and then plants and vines that reach to the top of the tank. These set ups are for arboreal species (species that live in up in trees) that also benefit from a large water area (like green tree pythons).

I think you’re thinking of something like land on the left and water on the right, correct? Because a true paladarium would be near impossible to accomplish in a 10 gallon. There’s no reptiles that come to mind that would fair well in a set up like this so I think your best options are the fire belly toads or fire belly newts. Keep in mind though both are extremely good escape artists and they need a secure lid with locking clips. I had bricks on my fire belly newt enclosure and they still all escaped.

 

This is the definition of a paludarium when I looked it up "A paludarium is a type of vivarium that incorporates both terrestrial and aquatic elements" Is that not what I described? I guess what I meant was a terrarium with a water feature. Thanks for the recommendations!

 

This is the definition of a paludarium when I looked it up "A paludarium is a type of vivarium that incorporates both terrestrial and aquatic elements" Is that not what I described? I guess what I meant was a terrarium with a water feature. Thanks for the recommendations!

Maybe I’m just picturing what you’re looking to achieve differently. When I think paladarium I think water feature throughout the entire base of the tank and then a lip of land that partially covers the water (creating a sort of long, horizontal cave) with aquatic plants and terrestrial plants. I suppose land on the left and water on the right could be considered a paladarium but it’s just not what comes to mind haha.

If you do go with the newts or frogs you could have mostly water in the tank as I believe 2/3 the tank should be water. Mine spent most of the time in their water feature. I just had a side with rocks and wood for them to get out of the water.

 

Fire bellied toads are the best way to go for a 10 gallon and if you don’t know where to start with your setup

he does good setups all around and if you wanna do a different amphibian most newts stay small and can be housed in a 10 ex marbled newt,fire bellied newts,most bullfrogs(depending the species you choose) and most salamanders as well.Normally a 20 gallon max would give you more options for some stuff.

 

Fire bellied toads are the best way to go for a 10 gallon and if you don’t know where to start with your setup

he does good setups all around and if you wanna do a different amphibian most newts stay small and can be housed in a 10 ex marbled newt,fire bellied newts,most bullfrogs(depending the species you choose) and most salamanders as well.Normally a 20 gallon max would give you more options for some stuff.

I've actually watched a bunch of his videos and I was planning on kind of mimicking his paludarium... just much smaller.

 

I've actually watched a bunch of his videos and I was planning on kind of mimicking his paludarium... just much smaller.

Smaller is a good way to start and I started on my paludarium small as well I bought that paludarium kit from PetSmart and I use it for tree frogs now and snails/ Shrimp I wanna start a 40 gallon into one but I can’t seem to find the right time to do it

 

This is the definition of a paludarium when I looked it up "A paludarium is a type of vivarium that incorporates both terrestrial and aquatic elements" Is that not what I described? I guess what I meant was a terrarium with a water feature. Thanks for the recommendations!

No, that is a paludarium. The most common kind in the background of live plants, but splitting the two sections can work wonders.
If you want inspiration, check out Serpadesign on youtube, his videos are easy to understand and the results are incredible. Fire-belly toads or leopard frogs could work well!

 

So I've decided on getting 2 fire bellied newts for my 10g, mostly because they have a more affordable diet. Are there any extra tips for keeping them (other than having a very secure lid)? Also, how do I move this thread to the amphibian section?

 

So I've decided on getting 2 fire bellied newts for my 10g, mostly because they have a more affordable diet for me. Are there any extra tips for keeping them (other than having a very secure lid)? Also, how do I move this thread to the amphibian section?

Don’t over do it on the aquatic plants there’s been some cases of them getting stuck and drowning a simple led growing light is fine,they love waterfalls or a place where there’s water running down they’ll walk up it and sit all around it,keep the water filtered and cool(note:there is a lot of conflicting information about there water temp some say as low as 60° others say the high 75°)At the zoo we aI'm for around 72° and they have been doing good feeding can be frozen bloodworms,small crickets,earthworms (chopped up), brine shrimp, glass shrimp, daphnia, and freeze-dried Tubifex cubes they’ll just about eat anything.the land portion of it should have damp moss to help maintain humidity and hides for them to hide under they’ll dig in the dirt if it gets dry(which is ok).(Another side note: Humidity changes on a daily basis just like the weather. The best thing is to provide good ventilation with gradients between damp and dry and let the newt decide where it feels most comfortable. The newt will be able to tolerate a range of humidity levels and as long as moist areas are provide it should be fine.and I do not know how to change the threads location sorry.

 

So I've decided on getting 2 fire bellied newts for my 10g, mostly because they have a more affordable diet for me. Are there any extra tips for keeping them (other than having a very secure lid)? Also, how do I move this thread to the amphibian section?

A moderator would have to move it. Maybe stella1979 can move this for you?


And my tips would be to purchase adults if you can and ask what they’ve been being fed. Some prefer different diets depending on what they were fed growing up. I say adults because they’re already established and you know that they’ll eat. They live on average 10-15 years but can make it past 30 years old if kept properly so don’t worry about them not living long if you purchase adults. I agree with Ipman37 to keep them cool, if they get too hot they quickly die because they can’t regulate their body temperatures. This goes for handling too; I wouldn’t handle them for long periods of time because your body temperature can overheat them just as easily. And when you do handle them make sure your hands are wet first, their skin is very delicate and dry hands tug and pull it. Wash your hands with soap and water first as well, bring very very sure to get all of the soap of. You do this do get rid of the oils on your skin that can be absorbed through the newt’s skin. They love live foods and it’s very enriching for them to hunt things down, especially guppies. A light should be on most of the day time and off during the nighttime so they can regulate day and night. They also need filtration and would really appreciate the water flow. And lastly I’ll go back to the lid - make sure your lid is secure as heck. I can’t stress enough how easily these little buggers get out. It was mind blowing.

 

Also, how do I move this thread to the amphibian section?

I’ve moved this to the amphibians board for you, look forward to seeing your newt set up

 

I'll happily follow this build along as well.

As for securing a lid... I'm not sure what kind of lid you'll need but these seem quite secure on my gecko's screen lid.

Exo Terra PT2729 Terrarium Cover...

 

I'll make a different thread once I start the build. Thanks, everybody!

 

So, I still have a few more questions lol.

1. Should I get a hygrometer if a have a large area of water in the tank and am planning on getting a lot of moss; would knowing the exact humidity to be necessary?
2. Will I need to supplement the newts' diets with calcium, d3, vitamins, etc? I've read on other amphibian forums that supplements are unnecessary as long as the newts are mostly fed earthworms
3. Do you guys have any terrestrial plant recommendations for the newts? The plants would have to be tolerant of 66-70 F and on the smaller side, as 10-gallon tanks aren't necessarily very tall

Thanks in advance!

 

So, I still have a few more questions lol.

1. Should I get a hygrometer if a have a large area of water in the tank and am planning on getting a lot of moss; would knowing the exact humidity to be necessary?
2. Will I need to supplement the newts' diets with calcium, d3, vitamins, etc? I've read on other amphibian forums that supplements are unnecessary as long as the newts are mostly fed earthworms
3. Do you guys have any terrestrial plant recommendations for the newts? The plants would have to be tolerant of 66-70 F and on the smaller side, as 10-gallon tanks aren't necessarily very tall

Thanks in advance!

1.For the hygrometer I personally wouldn’t get one humidity really depends on the type of set-up you have, temperature and ventilation. In a lidded enclosure with a water body or damp substrate the humidity will be higher than the ambient room level. Humidity changes on a daily basis is your tank gonna have a screen lid or a closed lid ?
2.Yeah this is another thing people have different opinions on if you are feeding them a proper diet and such then it doesn’t matter unless that’s something you wanna do to ease your mind
3. Scindapsus pictus - Silver Pothos
Syngonium rayii
Spathiphyllum ‘Petite(Good for a lot of foliage)
Spathiphyllum ‘VickI Lynn’(Can be grown as a semi-aquatic plant as long as only the roots are submerge)
Fittonia verschaffeltiI 'Pink'(Trick is to prune this plant often when it becomes overwhelming)
And all kinds of mosses and do you have the water plants picked out ?

 

My tank has a closed lid. The aquatic plants I'm going with are frogbit and java moss and maybe some smaller crypts. Would it be ok to collect native moss as long as I sterilize and quarantine it beforehand?

 

Since you have a closed lid your humidity is gonna he higher so I’d get a hygrometer since high humidity and not enough ventilation is gonna be bad for your air flow you could use a small fan https://www.reptilecentre.com/fans--ventilation-f34554_34768_34614.htm like this (you can also get them off amazon cheaper) and keep a space open on it as well.Wild moss is good to use but I would at least wait 3 months just to be sure before using it and so it grows a little bit more in QT

 

Should I just buy a screen lid? They're only about $10. Also, my closed lid has a few spots where it has holes because it was built for an aquarium (like where cords can pass through for heaters and filters).

 

Using a screen lid would be easier just have to mist it frequently and provides better airflow

 

A screen lid will be fine but I would seriously buy screen locking clips for it. I had a screen top for mine and they all escaped.

 

Yes, a screen would work very well and be more convenient. Do go with locking clips, there are many different types and they can be reasonably cheap.