The numbers
Enclosure
40 × 30 × 30 cm
Temperature
18–24 °C; optimum 20–22 °C; tolerance 15–26 °C; cool-water species — avoid prolonged tropical heat
Humidity
Semi-aquatic; dechlorinated water pH 6.5–7.5; humid terrestrial zone; partial water change 1×/week
UVB
Photoperiod 12 h; UVB not required but beneficial; standard lighting sufficient
Identity
Adult size
4–5 cm SVL; juvenile ~1 cm
Lifespan
10–15 years in captivity; sometimes >20 years
Legal status
Unrestricted
Price (THB)
600–1 800
Difficulty
Beginner
Cohabitation
Groups possible (same species only); semi-aquatic — do not mix with terrestrial species
Enclosure and conditions
Terrarium / aquarium
Paludarium 40×30×30 cm minimum for 3–4 individuals; humid terrestrial zone (50%) + shallow aquatic zone (10–15 cm) with access ramp; lid
Temperature
18–24 °C; optimum 20–22 °C; tolerance 15–26 °C; cool-water species — avoid prolonged tropical heat
Humidity / water
Semi-aquatic; dechlorinated water pH 6.5–7.5; humid terrestrial zone; partial water change 1×/week
Lighting / UVB
Photoperiod 12 h; UVB not required but beneficial; standard lighting sufficient
Substrate / setup
Terrestrial zone: coco fibre or peat + moss; aquatic zone: bare bottom or fine sand; optional aquatic plants; flat rocks as resting areas
Feeding
Crickets, fruit flies (juveniles), earthworms, dwarf roaches, springtails; 3–4×/week; calcium at every meal; D3 1×/week
Reproduction
Sexing
♂ smaller; black nuptial pads on front fingers in season (spring); ♀ more rounded abdomen
Maturity
12–24 months
Triggering
Simulated hibernation (cool-down): 8–10 °C for 6–8 weeks with reduced photoperiod (8 h); then gradual warming to 20–22 °C in spring + increased light
Spawning
Inguinal amplexus; 30–300 eggs deposited on aquatic vegetation or bottom; hatching 3–5 days
Tadpoles / metamorphosis
Aquatic herbivore-omnivore larvae (algae, spirulina, pellets); metamorphosis 6–8 weeks
Juvenile rearing
Semi-terrestrial froglets from metamorphosis; fruit flies, mini crickets; maintain high humidity
Common health problems
Cutaneous toxins (aposematic skin)
Signssecretes irritating substances under stress (Unken-reflex) — wash hands after handling, do not touch eyes
Red leg (Aeromonas)
Signshaemorrhagic redness — improve water quality; antibiotic therapy
Hypothermia
Signscool-water species — sensitive to prolonged heat >26 °C in Bangkok, provide air conditioning or cooling
Quarantine
Signs30 days; quarantine paludarium (water + land); temperature maintained at 20–22 °C; observe Unken posture (arched back): may be sign of stress or disease
Good to know
- Unken-reflex: in danger, arches its back and turns its limbs to expose the aposematic red-black belly — unique predator-deterrence behaviour
- Cool-water species: in Bangkok (ambient temp 28–35 °C), cooling essential — paludarium in air-conditioned room or cool area
- Hibernation necessary to trigger reproduction — without a 6–8 week cool-down, reproduction remains unpredictable
Others in this group
White's Tree FrogRanoidea caeruleaAxolotlAmbystoma mexicanumYellow-banded Poison Dart FrogDendrobates leucomelasMimic Poison FrogRanitomeya imitatorDyeing Poison Dart FrogDendrobates tinctoriusGolden Poison Dart FrogPhyllobates terribilisGreen-and-black Poison Dart FrogDendrobates auratusStrawberry Poison Dart FrogOophaga pumilio