Fire-Bellied Toads 11 Years Later - An Emotional Journey

[@SerpaDesign]

I didn’t realize I made one of the saddest videos on my channel until I got done watching the final edit. No joke, this one got me in the feels. These toads have been with me for a long time and seeing the journey of my hobby outlined to this extent is weird to say the least. I have so much appreciation for them. I wanted to share more about them while I have the time. Thank you for being a part of their journey as well, by supporting the videos that featured them. Have a great day SerpaSquad!

[@ChristIsKing1161]

Hi

[@emilybitzel7242]

Beautiful.

[@QKsilver58]

Your work is incredible Tanner, I hope to one day give my future pets ecosystems to thrive in even half as meticulously designed and natural as yours. Every upload is another breathtaking piece of art, and I'll always appreciate the amount of hard work and effort you put in. With the new animal room coming together, I'm so excited to see what projects you continue to work on! Thank you for being amazing, much love.

[@brookelyn29]

I have firebelly toads too. I’ve only have 6 left but I’ve really wanted to purchase more. Have any suggestions where to buy them?

[@rgilroy1909]

thanks for adding in the sounds of them calling. I miss mine. last reptile show here in MA, babies were selling for $50/ea!!!! 10x price increase over the years.

[@semjart]

Came for the amazing artistry, stayed for the amazing personality. The way you take care of your animals is so beautiful. 10/10 top tier human

[@kayliejo7224]

i’ve been following him for years and i agree he’s an amazing human :) does everything for his pets!

[@ghomerhust]

welcome to the club! tanner does fantastic work with his animals and miniature ecosystems. he's actually a trained artist and can paint extremely well, but his true passion is creating living art with his plants and animals.

[@erikarsov4365]

Absolute chad

[@murphdawg33]

Great video. One of the things that sets you apart from other pet based KZbinrs is the fact that you allow your ecosystems to fully mature and also you keep your pets from beginning to end. So many other content creators will set up a habitat for an animal and then that animal will be gone in a few months and replaced by a different pet. Even a tiny deformed zebra danio can live it’s best life in your animal room. Keep up the good work!

[@chillescapes]

It is hard for people to admit mistakes but we learn from them. Too many people are out here trying to be perfect and it's so fake. Thank you for showing people that animal care is a learning experience. It's beautiful how you care for your pets!

[@pim4686]

If I remember right, the firebelly toad paludarium video is what got me into the channel. It's so cool to see the progress throughout the years. Keep it up!

[@sarahfehr4945]

Same here!

[@waxandsulfur]

Your original FBT build was what brought me to your channel in early 2019, I think. You’ve been a constant inspiration to me. Your empathy and care to your animals and plants, and your constant innovation with beautiful builds is what brought me to the world of bioactive tanks and I’ve never looked back.

[@papyrusthegreat457]

I had these guys from kindergarten to my freshman year of high school. They were the best. Always ate from my hands. Active, they loved swimming together. When they passed, it was a struggle trying to help them, but to me it was worth it. They’re little treasures. I considered getting more, but these days they run for like $50, and I’d want a trio of em.

[@morganw.4711]

Krunk is a living testament to your gentle soul Tanner. This little guy was dismissed as useless, but you have given him a happy life. He might be coming to the end of it, but he has had a really good run, especially considering that someone else might have fed him to another fish or amphibian.

[@barrkorrd27]

It's so apparent you love all your creatures. I'm glad to see another video, especially about those cute lil toads.

[@d-scarnavy8558]

Would love to see a series of videos for the timeline of some of your oldest animals. So we can see their upgraded living conditions and different homes throughout their lives :)

[@thesenate5770]

Always love your videos where you check in on Old animals. They give me peace of mind that the little guys are doing well and it's always amazing to see how their habitats and your approach changes.

[@lakeshiamills1454]

I didn't find it to be a sad video at all I think it was definitely an emotional one, and I am happy you shared the good and bad parts of the journey with your FBT with us. I've wanted FBT for years and never attempted to keep them, but after seeing this video I feel like I have a good idea of what to do for them should I choose to keep them at any time. Right now I am unfortunately not in the position to give them a proper home but my goal is to be able to build something similar to the paludarium you've shown. Seeing the way they interacted with their environment was honestly one of the coolest things I've seen on your channel besides the mini pond builds! I love all of your designs but the paludariums and ponds are my favorites and this paludarium in particular is in my opinion the best I've seen. Can't wait to see what you do going forward and I hope to see a new and improved FBT set up with all the things you've learned from keeping them.

[@kurob3370]

I will echo the same as others! Your original FBT build is what led me to your channel. It was one of the only in-depth paludarium tutorials around at the time. It served as an inspiration for my builds as well. Funny enough, when you updated their enclosure it made me want to do the same. "I can do better", I thought. And so I did. It fills me with joy when family and friends comment on my enclosures and say, "Wow, that's amazing", or "I want one for my home". That's because of you. You share your knowledge and skills with us, and when you strive for growth it makes us want to enhance our skills as well. Not only do you inspire us to create while sharing your journey, but you have enabled us to have journeys of our own. Thank you for that.

[@stefkais]

I love this video for so many reasons. Thank you for sharing snippets of the journey with us, and wanting to learn and grow as a creator, and being honest about the process.

[@Mr_dopu]

They are good friends who I can see often in spring. 😊

[@sebnotpleb7702]

You should make a paludarium for vampire crabs! They would make a really interesting addition to your animal room, and they can be housed easily in a 10 gallon! Keep up the great work Serpa.

[@somethingcats]

But we know serpa will go big and beautiful

[@HannahTinsel]

My sister just got two! She paired them with her hermit crabs 🥰

[@HannahTinsel]

@I’m Daniel arboreal means living in trees. They are semi aquatic animals. Meaning they go in the water but also primarily exist on land. In regards to the set up- we have worked out how they both successfully can exist within a single set up. My family has been at this a while and enjoy doing different habitat build types.

[@randomname5626]

If you want to watch a video talking about vampire crabs check out Dr.Plants video on it. If you already watched his video on it then I recommend watching his desert ecosystem video with scorpions!

[@kristenmackenzie2937]

considering what he said about his feelings on wild caught vs captive bred, i hope he doesn’t get vampire crabs any time soon. afaik there aren’t any north american providers that sell captive bred vamp crabs, they’re almost all wild caught. they’re also typically endemic to understudied islands; they’ve been in the hobby longer than they’ve had a scientific name and a place within the recorded tree of life. there haven’t been any proper studies done, but i doubt that crab capture and export is having a positive impact on wild populations. it’s a shame, because they’re so beautiful. i was dreaming of buying some for myself recently but when i learned they were wild caught it kinda put me off. hopefully i’ll get to see captive bred stock come into the market in my lifetime.

[@ferdinandvonschenk6832]

Hi ! I know that the focus of your channel is the setup and how to build great aquariums / paludariums / terrariums. But honestly I enjoy most the videos like this when you show the animals and how they enjoy what you've built. Please continue to post these kinds of videos! A fan from Germany.

[@Marie_Danielle]

Indeed, the sincere way in which you talk about these toads is touching.

[@t_s4500]

Saturday is the best. Love all your videos.

[@alisonswagatron7687]

In the U.S, it’s no longer legal to import FBTs, so captive bred is mostly the only available option now. Your videos inspired me to get a group of FBTs and I’ve been raising tiny captive bred babies. They’re quite a personable fun pet!

[@lilstarduke]

Bump

[@fizzymcflurry]

where can you buy them from? i’ve wanted a trio for years

[@AngryMunci5]

I love seeing the progress of your builds, it’s absolutely beautiful

[@cherellzandell]

Your creativity and care for the animals in your keeping never fails to completely impress and amaze me 🙂

[@Sannive]

What a beautiful home you've created for your little hoppers!!

[@kathleensauerbrei5199]

How wonderful to watch, we tend to forget how long we’ve been with you and you’ve been with us. in return it’s so nice to go back and follow the actual path you took from your first pallidary them to this one. And the FBT’s , Travels with you. you give new meaning to this hobby with your care and attention to detail and the well-being of your animals.

[@itsMalma]

I'm glad you admitted they would've been better with water years earlier. Most people can't admit when they make a mistake. I bet they double enjoy their pond now tho!

[@TygerBleuToo]

Your videos are always among my favorites, but this one was amazing. When I was in 5th grade I developed this true love for terrariums and keeping lizards and succulents. While other girls were playing with their Barbies, I was creating tiny worlds for snakes, lizards, and fish. Your videos bring back that wonderment; all the sights, smells and feelings I experienced then. Please never stop. ❤️

[@assiahinarkansas]

Another great update. And IMO it didn't come across overly sad. Mourn your trio, treasure your pair. That setup is beautiful. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@breec3346]

Awe!!! I used to have a fire bellied toad myself!! He was the sweetest and coolest looking creature!!! I miss Alex!!!

[@artfisher1235]

I have never seen a more attractive setup than this one - particularly the interest created by the 1/3 or so water level, and the depth both in and above the water.

[@thechickenwizard8172]

I actually got my own 2 FBTs a little over 6 months ago, and was inspired to get them and build them their own lush paludarium thanks to your own videos on them. Seeing your journey with these amazing, derpy little frogs makes me hopeful and excited for my future with my own frogs.

[@tjbren576]

I think this is one of your best works - not just the living space for the animals, the video too. It is a complete story with a 'happily ever after' at the end!

[@csabapeterhorvath6300]

Hi Taner! Your previous setup was the one what hooked me with your channel. Since than I'm always excited to see the new Saturday upload! Thanks for the many years of entertainment. ❤❤❤

[@randystache78]

It's not often people share their mistakes, but the way you do seems to be the right way. You share youre mistakes, but also how you correct things. Its sad about the one fbt, but the way you care for things, it had to be old age. Also, this video kind of helped me decide I want these as well. I have been internally fighting over adding fire bellies, pac man or leopard geckos. Love the final set up, looks amazing!

[@mokko759]

Your FBT tank is what inspired to me to make a paludarium for my FBTs. My paludarium isn't nearly on the scale as yours but my little froggins certainly do love it. Mine were also wild caught, unfortunately, as I had no idea that was common practice when I purchased them five years ago. Now, they are basically impossible to find where I live. Haven't seen any available for years. FBTs are criminally undervalued, often seen as "beginner trash" when that couldn't be further from the truth. They are curious, cutely vocal, a little doofy, hardy and an absolute delight to watch. They are easy to keep but that doesn't mean they are boring.

[@l____bugc____l]

You're such an inspiration. This channel got me to revive an old hobby i lost during 20yrs mariage. Its such a therapeutic thing to do and ease the mind when much needed. Gratefull for that and for finding your channel about a year and a half ago.. Love what you do and keep up the good work. Thanks 🙂

[@guyfromnj]

I’m at the point where I just want to build the tank. Make a beautiful tank and then think what I want to add in as far as animals go. You are a inspiration. The natural beauty you can construct is amazing.

[@tuco86x]

Looks like a piece of nature brought into your home

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Forts and toads are some of my favorite people. We once had a little Delaware grey tree frog show up in our front bed…he hop out would sit next to me in the steps and sit on the edge of the flower bed and watch hubby cut the lawn. Eventually he left probably fir the long trek baa k down to river to fund a pretty lady frog. Love this build…your toads have a mansion!

[@AWildGrickit]

That 2018 tank was so inspirational to me and got me started on my own adventure of paludarium self improvement in the years since.

[@nenadjovanovic5718]

This is a beautiful, heart-warming video, one that brings memories of my childhood. Thank you.

[@glassyGREEN_]

It is awesome to see how you got more and more experienced with time. But I love every version of your tanks, you always had amazing talent in scaping 😊

[@gardeninginthedesert]

Lovely journey and great to hear their weird little croaks. 💚

[@PaddyMcShane]

I think it is really great that you have been able to grow a channel by doing what you enjoy. Your videos are always great! Cheers!

[@DevI-vl7gp]

I've watched the first FBT video about 20 times over the years. I think I watch it just about every time I put together a new paludarium because it's one of the best videos on the platform, and it's an awesome guide overall. Definitely my favorite build from this channel.

[@First._.Last.]

This is gorgeous. Seeing your skill and how natural this looks, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that some of the perfect wildlife shots that we see in nature shows were created this way.

[@faithlmao5082]

I love how observant you are and how much care you put into your animals. Keep on shining Tanner ✨️

[@zinaak4194]

The way you speak about your animals warms my heart 💖

[@deniseward9910]

Thank you …. they definitely are amazing Little critters.💕🐸

[@aquahobby1982]

12 years and still counting ....... wow 😍😍😍😍😀 thats the beauty of a natural bioactive paludarium .

[@wendyhood1006]

I just love this set up I could sit and watch it all day so beautiful and natural looking ❤

[@Sabrina38236]

I am so happy I didn't know my dream until you posted your own world. Congratulations and thanks for showing me how much you love plants and toads ❤

[@Jeff1232D]

it's very interesting to hear you critic your previous bulids and see what you learn and what can be done even better than it was before. Interesting to see you point of view now on older builds with your new knowledge and experience.

[@earlroddey5189]

I really enjoy your videos! And for me, who's only been watching for a couple of years, I appreciate the background and growth that you describe in your commentary. Keep up the awesome work!👍

[@Rplant421]

Hey Serpa. Wow you really inspire everyone including me. I think you should do more saltwater tanks. But whatever you want to do. Keep going and inspiring!

[@simonlewis189]

I've followed you for a few years, your FBT paludariums are my favs! I also really appreciate you talking about captive-bred vs wild-caught animals. The ethics of the hobby are so important, and I love seeing you use your platform to talk about it :)

[@legionaquatics]

this is my favorite setup you've ever done and the most beautiful palladium Ive ever seen!

[@WildflowersCreations]

Love seeing your growth in learning techniques, design, and animal care. Really helps to give perspective as we also go through our builds and journey.

[@sal-1337]

this is legit one of my fav channels ever

[@carinakaarli4784]

I have a trio of juviniles, and they just started singing. Soo cute when I hear tiny chirps as they practise

[@ElaineTaylor95]

I adore the little "bark" of fire bellied toads. Thank you for sharing this journey and these sweet froggy friends. 💖

[@deb5215]

I just wanted to say that I was struck by how you look back at when you were less experienced and seem to feel shame by that - I hope that's not the case and it doesn't cause any negative feelings for you, because all it shows is your journey to becoming as knowledgable as you are now - you should be so proud of what you've achieved and the steps you took to get there. Not just that, but how you now share that experience with us so we don't make the same mistakes. I think what you're able to do is amazing✌

[@lichenlad2887]

The ultimate fire-bellied toad paludarium episode was the first video from your channel I ever watched, I have not missed an upload since. This channel is part of my weekend routine lol. Keep up the amazing content!

[@BellaIsa8603]

Thank you for sharing your experience and advice my friend as always…sorry for your loss 😢and hopefully you will get babies from the pair you have

[@leila1662]

LOVE any longterm update, or timeline footage and updates...it's very appropriate for your work to showcase evolution over time. Really appreciate it, and enjoy what you do! ...peace

[@CliffTheAlien]

Fire bellied toads are magical

[@ayanpal1]

This was a beautiful and emotional video that turned out to cathartic to say the least. Thanks for sharing!

[@DoorsToHideBehind156]

I've come back to this video a couple times now just for my love of firebelly toads. I honestly think seeing your setup is what motivated me to get my own trio back when I was 16. I had them for over 10 years

[@MsLeenite]

The FBTs are certainly attractive and charismatic, and they DO make a charming little chirp. They seem very happy in their home. All living things will pass away when it's their time to do so. Our little animal friends leave us, and eventually, we leave each other. It's obvious to all of us that you take the best care you can of your charges, and always try to learn more in order to improve their conditions. As with all your project videos, I've enjoyed seeing how you go about assessing the result you want for a project, and how best to go about achieving it. Always, of course, within the limitations of your knowledge and skill at that time. So I also enjoy your explanations of how you learned better techniques, and expanded the kinds of materials you used. This was a very special video. It's like watching the designers and construction crew of an Indiana Jones movie, creating a jungle set for Indy and his companions to have adventures in. It would be a fun sight gag to hang a miniature replica of Indy's hat on a branch somewhere in the setup...

[@loriw2661]

What amazing little frogs!! They’re so cute and personable. I can see how easy it is to get attached to them!🐸❤️🐸

[@fossphur]

Seeing Krunk brought back memories of some of my first fish, a pair of danios that were too zoomy for my sister's small tank that she gave me. I had them for years and the older they got the more bent looking they were. I had the feeling that they wouldn't live much longer, and I was pretty sure by the way one constantly chased the other that it was a pair so I let them spawn in a small tank full of moss and I was able to raise 18 of their young. I think they lasted another year before they faded completely away, in the end even though it's sad I am thankful I was able to care for these fish for the entire length of their lives. I ended up giving the rest to a friend with a big tank because 18 zoomy danio need room to zoom.

[@TheSeptemberRose]

Tanner, you never cease to amaze! Your original builds are so incredible, and then you go and IMPROVE THEM! You are a true artist!

[@moonbasket]

This is such a sweet video. I'm so sorry you lost one of the toads and I'm glad you've made them such a beautiful enclosure.

[@nateslade2139]

my firebelly toad passed away a few weeks ago after being with me for 19 years. I know your little guys have had a great life and will continue to. Love your content and I hope you never stop.

[@BigdaddyMB23]

I love the new set up. I actually copied the 1st one you did in a 20 gal but it only lasted a few yrs before white mold and algae started to take over. I also had an issue with the crickets escaping by climbing up the walls and out of the cover thru small gaps. So.... I redid the cage in a new 20 gal tank with no walls this time and its about 75% land/25% water. However, I really liked this new setup you did and I might try it if I can figure out how to keep the crickets from escaping. Because so many were escaping, I never really knew how much food they had left and it started to show in their health. With God's help tho, he kept them alive and they are looking better now. They really are a resilient animal and I've owned mine for about 10 yrs also, given to me for free by a neighbor that really didn't take good care of them. If you have any tips for the tank cover to keep the crickets in, I'd love to hear them. I'd love to do another setup like you're new one. It looks really great!

[@Nzchimeran]

Looks amazing. My daughter wanted me to build it so...I started two days ago. Wow, what a huge task. It's really good fun, getting the water feature box dead level is a must. The marine sealant is fantastic, very strong. I also enclosed the water box and added a mist maker, the mist flows down with the water .

[@jblob5764]

The way you tied it together with the spider wood makes it hard to tell there are separate islands in the back besides in the water. Super cool 😎

[@RockStar-nz4oq]

Oh I love the sounds of that toads 🐸😍

[@gangtar77]

Honestly getting really high and watching your videos has me glued to the computer screen lmao

[@miniscenesgb]

I love FBTs. I had 5 for about 10 years then finally lost them. I have no idea how old they really were. I will have more one day, thanks to videos like yours I think I could provide them a much better hone

[@julienmercier2114]

I am really impressed by how creative you were with these set up.

[@mlml]

I love the FBTs! And their setup is gorgeous. Another fantastic video

[@cobiemccoy]

All that life in such a small space... Mother Earth is magnificent.

[@Native_ichthyology]

Such a great story there💕

[@jjhill001]

That terrestrial setup for the FBTs was one of the best. HOF setup for the channel imo.

[@shadowscythes]

The fire-bellied toad island paludarium is still my favourite build of yours, I just love the combination of water and islands covered with plants. It's really cool to see how the setups have developed over the years, I hope your frogs live many more years :D

[@DemDiddyDizzy]

Thank you so much for this video; honestly, seeing these update videos and the love you put into every setup is spectacular. I admire your work ethic with these animals so so much Tanner, thank you for letting us see all the progress and growth not only these setups go through but your own growth as well!

[@LexiClipsThings]

I think its amazing how much you learn just from practice, it's so inspiring, really.

[@mortisangelica]

The firebelly toad paludarium is the one that got me to watch. I Was in the middle of the build of my fire belly toad paludarium build. I built mine with more of an easy sloping shore line. If you are looking For a good plant to add to the water I recommend hair grass. The frogs love it, it can grow a bit above the water line, and they climb in it. The plant also provides good shelter to the fish fry. Like you said you know when its right because it starts to take car of its self. I used a 90 gallon tank with about 40 gallons of water, but only have the little filter like you used in the first build.

[@lindad1195]

They’re beautiful and I’m so glad they are enjoying the palidarium you made for them!

[@FrogTownexotics29]

Our have been attempting to breed and we’re on tadpole lookout. We’re only a state away so fingers crossed.

[@maninthebox01]

I finally purchased my first glass tank to make a paludarium, I hope to get started this weekend. Thanks again for such a wonderful, peaceful art and thanks for sharing this with us.

[@SerpaDesign]

Good luck making a paludarium of your own. Enjoy the process!

[@893263007]

I had the toad in my picture for around 22 years before he passed away. Was fully mature when I got him. He just lived in a 10 gallon tank with no filter lol. I can't imagine how long he would have lived in these vivariums.

[@Bogrin]

You are amazing! The journey with these fbt’s was amazing to watch!

[@evanthompson3727]

Incredible to see the improvements over time! I'm sure they're some of your earliest and biggest fans! What an amazing life you've given them!

[@empressakitla7544]

These builds have always been near and dear to me as I’ve had FBTs for well over a decade. I used to have a pair but now only have my male left. Their scarcity makes me sad because once he passes I probably won’t be able to keep them anymore. Also, I was totally inspired by that middle build and overdid my tank, too, lol

[@LPdedicated]

I have loved watching your knowledge and craftmanship evolve over the years, not only to make beautiful pieces of art but to give optimal care for your animals. It's really inspiring! :)

[@met.marfil]

I've been following your channel for 2 years and your progress and skill improvement is awesome!

[@michaelinsc1644]

Great stuff as always. Your videos inspire me to improve my aquariums. And I love how calm and pleasant all your videos are. Thanks for sharing so much with us.

[@drb8197]

That fbt call brings me back to my childhood 😊🎉💚

[@yakfishin4912]

this guys creations are just crazy cool