Animal section
Amphibians
Axolotls, frogs and newts, and their sensitive environments.
Species profiles
Standardised husbandry data for each animal in this group.
Axolotl
Axolotls are neotenic salamanders that never leave the water. They are charming and long-lived if you can reliably keep the tank cool.
Lifespan 10–15 years · Care complexity 3/5
African Dwarf Frog
African dwarf frogs are peaceful, fully aquatic amphibians that suit a small, gently filtered species tank.
Lifespan 5–10 years · Care complexity 2/5
Pacman Frog
Pacman frogs are hardy, striking and almost entirely sedentary — an excellent choice for keepers who want a low-activity display amphibian.
Lifespan 6–10 years · Care complexity 3/5
Fire-Bellied Newt
Fire-bellied newts are long-lived, undemanding amphibians for cool rooms, best kept as an observation species with strict hygiene.
Lifespan 10–20 years · Care complexity 3/5
Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad
Fire-bellied toads are hardy, colourful amphibians that display a bright warning belly when threatened. They are easy to keep in a simple paludarium but should be watched rather than handled often.
Lifespan 10–15 years in captivity · Care complexity 2/5
Tiger Salamander
Tiger salamanders are large, burrowing amphibians that spend most of their time hidden in moist substrate. They are calm to handle occasionally but do best mostly left undisturbed.
Lifespan 12–15 years, sometimes over 20 · Care complexity 3/5
Dyeing Poison Dart Frog
Dyeing poison dart frogs are vividly coloured, day-active amphibians that reward a carefully built bioactive vivarium with fascinating natural behaviour, provided humidity and live-food supply are kept meticulously consistent.
Lifespan 10–15 years in captivity · Care complexity 4/5
White's Tree Frog
White's tree frogs are one of the hardier, more approachable pet frog species, tolerating occasional gentle handling and modest husbandry mistakes better than most amphibians, though their nocturnal croaking can surprise unprepared owners.
Lifespan 10–16 years · Care complexity 3/5
African Clawed Frog
The African clawed frog is a fully aquatic, long-lived frog that never leaves the water. It needs a secure lid, gentle filtration and minimal handling, and is restricted in some regions.
Lifespan 10–15 years, sometimes over 20 · Care complexity 2/5
Guides for this group
Care, health, behaviour and nutrition reading.
AquaticsAquarium Water Chemistry and the Nitrogen Cycle
Most fish illness is a water quality problem. Understanding cycling is the core skill of fishkeeping.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19
Exotic petsExotic Pet Welfare and the Wildlife Trade
How to keep unusual species responsibly, and how to avoid supporting wild capture and illegal trade.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19
InterviewsInterview: A Conservation Biologist on the Exotic Pet Trade
A conversation about wild-caught reptiles, captive breeding fraud and what a responsible exotic pet buyer can realistically check.
Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07