Substrate, Plants & Decorations
Another
important aspect to consider when setting up your tank is what you are
going to put in it,
that is, besides your pets. Because these frogs
spend most of their time on the aquarium floor, it is recommended to
use a substrate that is comfortable for them. Like many others, I prefer to have a bare-floored
tank without any substrate at all. The bare glass is rather
comfortable for the frogs, doesn’t look too bad, and makes maintenance
an easy job. Using medium/large stones or marbles for decorations works
well, as long as you are sure there is nowhere the frogs could get
stuck. Polished shells and stones sold in craft stores can make great
decoration as well as hiding places. Most popular aquarium plants such
as Java Moss and Bamboo will grow quite well in bare tanks, and there
is no risk of your frogs choking or getting stuck at the bottom. Some like to use aquarium
sand, some prefer smooth gravel. Both can have their pros and cons.
Aquarium Sand - if stirred up frequently by fish or frogs - can clog up your filtration system. It can also make it harder to work with your tank in terms of cleaning and maintenance. However, it does provide a soft floor for frogs or fish as well as a natural look and feel.
Gravel also provides your tank with a natural look, however, it is not very comfortable against the frogs’ sensitive skin. It has also been rumored that frogs can be killed if they ingest the gravel while scavenging the bottom of the tank for food.
The worst possible substrate for these frogs would be a floor completely covered with heavy stones or marbles, as it is quite likely the frogs could get stuck in a crevice and won’t be able to free themselves.
