I have a 12x12x18 Exo Terra terrarium that my crested gecko is currently using. He’s going to be moving to a bigger tank in about a year, so I’m starting to plan what new animal could live in this one after he’s upgraded.
I’m open to reptiles, amphibians, or even inverts that could live happily in a tank this size for their whole lives. I’m fine if it’s more of a display animal, but if it’s something I could handle occasionally, that would be a bonus.
I’ve given myself this year to make sure I have plenty of time to learn about whatever I decide on and set everything up just right, but I’m struggling to settle on something.
Some ideas I’ve been considering:
Dart frogs
An arboreal tarantula (not sure what species yet)
Mourning geckos
I’d love any advice or suggestions, even photos for inspiration. Whatever I go with, I want the tank to be bioactive.
Thanks in advance for your help! Also, sorry if the formatting is off—I’m not used to posting on forums and I’m on mobile.
Mourning geckos are great, and arboreal tarantulas are amazing too, but you’d need to get an adult since the tank could be too big for a younger spider. Something like an adult Poecilotheria would look incredible, but they’re fast and require some experience. If you want something you can handle occasionally, I’d recommend a whip scorpion. They’re arboreal, very cool looking, and don’t have venom, though they are quick.
You could also consider some arboreal scorpions—there are species that can be kept communally. Or, if you’re open to inverts, a colony of Corydidarum magnifica roaches could look awesome.
For amphibians, a pair of glass frogs, red-eyed tree frogs, or even starry night reed frogs (my favorite) could work perfectly for a tank that size.
@Lennon
Thank you so much! I had no idea there were arboreal scorpions! I’ll definitely check out everything you mentioned and see what catches my interest. Frogs and scorpions are both sounding like solid options right now.
Edit: I’ve gone down a rabbit hole watching Clint’s Reptiles videos while weighing all the pros and cons of your suggestions!
Lennon said: @Emerson
Clint’s videos are dangerous—he never gives enough cons to talk you out of getting anything!
You’re not kidding! I’m mentally rearranging my space trying to fit every animal he talks about, but I know they won’t all fit
After chatting with my partner, we’re leaning toward a tarantula. He used to have a curly-haired tarantula and has fallen in love with the gooty sapphire. Hopefully, we can gather enough info to feel confident about getting one!
@Emerson
If you go for a tarantula, just be ready to handle an incredibly fast animal with a bite that can be medically significant. A curly hair is like riding a bike compared to a gooty sapphire, which is more like a race car. (Not saying this to scare you—they’re fantastic creatures, but they do require respect and preparation.)
@Lennon
Thanks for the heads-up! That’s why I’m giving myself at least six months to prepare. I’ve worked with a variety of animals before, but I want to make sure I’m fully ready.
I know it might end up being a ‘look but don’t touch’ situation, which is totally fine with me. Some tarantulas that tolerate handling are amazing, but I’ll let the spider’s behavior decide that. If we end up not feeling ready, there are plenty of other options like those beautiful starry night reed frogs or a whip scorpion you suggested!
@Lennon
We’d probably aim to get an adult tarantula from an expo where we can chat with the breeder about the spider’s behavior and make sure it won’t be able to escape from the tank.
Emerson said: @Lennon
We’d probably aim to get an adult tarantula from an expo where we can chat with the breeder about the spider’s behavior and make sure it won’t be able to escape from the tank.
Just a heads-up: handling tarantulas is usually frowned upon in the tarantula community because it’s risky for the spider. A fall can easily kill them, even from a short height, and if they bolt, they’re incredibly hard to catch. Most breeders won’t guarantee a tarantula’s personality or handling tolerance. I’ve been keeping tarantulas for six years, and I always recommend enjoying them as display animals instead of trying to handle them. They’re fascinating to watch and fun to feed, though!
@Lennon
That’s really helpful info, thank you! I’ve heard about how fragile they are, so I’ll definitely respect that and enjoy watching it from the other side of the glass. No need to risk its safety, especially with such a stunning animal. Honestly, just observing it would be worth it for me!
@Emerson
One last tip: for arboreal tarantulas, make sure to provide plenty of hiding spots. Cork logs and live plants are great, especially if you’re going bioactive. The more cluttered the tank, the more secure they feel, and they’ll likely come out more during the day.
@Lennon
Thanks for the advice! I always try to have enclosures set up and ready before I bring an animal home. I’ll make sure to add lots of natural elements and adjust as needed before the tarantula moves in. I’ve noticed with most animals that the more cover they have, the more active they seem, so I’ll definitely keep that in mind.
