The numbers
Enclosure
45 × 45 × 45 cm
Temperature
22–26 °C; tolerance 18–28 °C; one of the most thermally tolerant
Humidity
70–100%; occasional tolerance to 50% with water access; misting 1×/day
UVB
Photoperiod 12 h; UVB 2–5% optional
Identity
Adult size
3–4 cm SVL; juvenile ~0.8–1 cm
Lifespan
8–15 years in captivity
Legal status
CITES II (CB + permit)
Price (THB)
2 000–6 000
Difficulty
Beginner / intermediate (one of the most robust dart frogs)
Origin / habitat
Cohabitation
Groups or pairs; monitor egg consumption among adult ♀; low-aggression species
Enclosure and conditions
Terrarium / aquarium
Bioactive vivarium 45×45×45 cm for 2–3 individuals; horizontal orientation preferable (terrestrial); optional water zone appreciated (Costa Rican locale)
Temperature
22–26 °C; tolerance 18–28 °C; one of the most thermally tolerant
Humidity / water
70–100%; occasional tolerance to 50% with water access; misting 1×/day
Lighting / UVB
Photoperiod 12 h; UVB 2–5% optional
Substrate / setup
ABG bioactive + mosses + leaf litter; film canisters or philodendron leaves as spawning sites; little climbing — terrestrial
Feeding
D. melanogaster (juveniles) and D. hydei (adults); mini crickets; calcium × 4/week, vitamins × 1/week; bioactive substrate renewal every 3–5 years
Reproduction
Sexing
♀ larger (up to 4 cm vs 3 cm ♂); ♀ tilts head during courtship ('head bobbing'); ♂ calls
Maturity
10–14 months
Triggering
Increased misting; hidden film canisters; active mixed-sex group
Spawning
3–7 eggs every 10–21 days; ♂ guards; hatching ~14 days
Tadpoles / metamorphosis
Individual rearing in deli cup; spirulina and algae; metamorphosis 60–90 days
Juvenile rearing
Robust at water exit; D. melanogaster and springtails from day 1; one of the easiest species to wean
Common health problems
Chytridiomycosis (Bd)
Signssame sensitivity as other dart frogs; quarantine and PCR at acquisition
Bacterial skin infections if humidity stagnates
Signsimprove vivarium ventilation
Egg consumption among ♀
Signsremove eggs or separate ♀ during spawning
Quarantine
Signs30 days minimum; robust species — good standard quarantine candidate; observe active fruit fly hunting
Good to know
- Naturalised in Hawaii since the 1930s (deliberate introduction to control insects) — proof of the species' robustness
- Costa Rican locale appreciates a small shallow water zone in the vivarium — semi-aquatic behaviour observed
- More than 15 locales with distinct patterns — note the locale at purchase (genetic integrity)
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 terribilisStrawberry Poison Dart FrogOophaga pumilioAfrican Clawed FrogXenopus laevis