Possibility of my Pseudacris maculata wanting to breed...

Spring is soon approaching, and as such my male Pseudacris maculata (Boreal Chorus Frog) has become more vocal and territorial. He argues more with the Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer), but never any real violence. There are two other P. maculata in the habitat, and though I haven't tried to sex them (I'm nowhere near the ability to do so!), they are quiet and submissive, leaving me to believe they are either females or submissive, younger males. Either way, the possibility of breeding is real.

The setup is a 10 gallon tank, with a substrate of natural hardwood mulch about 1 inch deep. There are two shallow planter trays used for water bowls, two small potted plants and some general cover (bark, moss, sticks and fake plants). I don't want them breeding in an innappropriate way, where the eggs could just die. I have raised wild-caught eggs and tadpoles before, so I can ensure their survival if it happens. I also have the ability to release them in a way that is safe for the population outside (with DNR approval).

The breeding behavior of the P. maculata is pretty typical for frogs, breeding early and laying in vernal pools and other slightly-permanent water sources. They are very early singers. I have an extra 10-gallon tank and can set it up for a mini-'vernal' breeding area for them.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with filtration of the water? I realize a normal filtration system would be very risky for the eggs and tadpoles, and I can hand-change the water regularly. I have air pumps with air stones if it needs a little bit of aeration as well.

Any thoughts? I'd love to see my beautiful red-morph male P. maculata to pass down his fabulous coloration, and help the resident populations that may be impacted by development. I have plenty of stable places to release the healthy babies.

Included are two photos of when I first found the male P. maculata. He has since become a deep, dark burgundy.

That is one funky Psuedacris. I've raised P. triseriata eggs in a small container where I simply changed the water every couple days. They are a great deal easier to raise from eggs to froglets than other frogs such as gray tree frogs in my experience. Although I released the metamorphs because I could not find insects small enough, so that might be an issue.

I want to make a semi-aquatic setup for them, with enough 'platform' to make them comfortable but not have any places where they can squeeze into or get trapped under water. I'll probably have bark in layers for hiding places, and I have some non-toxic fake grass to lay halfway into the water along with sticks for them to breed from. I'll probably stick with an external mini-canister filter, since it will be the safest for them and their eggs and larva. I'll still have to put some safety barriers around the intake and outflow hoses to ensure they don't get along it or stuck. From what I've seen in the wild, the P. maculata prefer water from 5-10 inches deep, with grass and other stuff to breed on and shelter to hide in.

Behold my horrible Paint diagrams!

Yeah, he seems to have the signs! I know this a late answer , but did they lay??:happy: