The numbers
Enclosure
45 × 30 × 30 cm
Temperature
24–27 °C day; 18–22 °C night; tolerance 22–28 °C
Humidity
60–80%; misting 1×/day; shallow water dish refreshed daily
UVB
Photoperiod 12 h; UVB 2–5% beneficial; not mandatory if D3 supplemented
Identity
Adult size
♂ ~5.5–7 cm SVL; ♀ ~9–10 cm; juvenile ~1.5 cm
Lifespan
6–10 years in captivity
Legal status
Unrestricted (CITES II to verify depending on exporting country; D. antongilii CITES I)
Price (THB)
1 500–4 500
Difficulty
Beginner / intermediate
Cohabitation
Same-size groups accepted; avoid mixing aggressive ♂ in confined spaces
Enclosure and conditions
Terrarium / aquarium
Terrarium 45×30×30 cm minimum for 1–2 individuals; semi-burrowing terrestrial; lid; rarely climbs
Temperature
24–27 °C day; 18–22 °C night; tolerance 22–28 °C
Humidity / water
60–80%; misting 1×/day; shallow water dish refreshed daily
Lighting / UVB
Photoperiod 12 h; UVB 2–5% beneficial; not mandatory if D3 supplemented
Substrate / decor
Coco fibre or peat/sand mix 8–10 cm; dead leaves; flat hides; burrowing species
Feeding
Crickets, Dubia roaches, earthworms, mealworms (moderation); 3–4×/week juveniles, 2–3×/week adults; calcium + D3 systematically
Reproduction
Sexing
♀ noticeably larger and more vividly coloured (bright red); ♂ duller (orange-red-brown); axillary amplexus
Maturity
18–24 months
Breeding trigger
Prolonged dry season simulation (4–6 weeks, humidity reduced to 40–50%, T° ~22 °C, reinforced feeding) then intense rain simulation; rain chamber
Egg laying
Several hundred floating eggs on the water surface; remove adults after laying; hatching 24–48 h
Tadpoles / metamorphosis
Herbivorous-omnivorous larvae (spirulina, algae, plant pellets); metamorphosis 5–6 weeks
Juvenile care
Small and delicate froglets; Drosophila melanogaster and springtails; humidity maintained at 80%
Common health problems
Sticky whitish skin secretion (defence)
Signscan cause mild skin irritation — wash hands after handling
Misidentification with D. antongilii (CITES I)
Signsrequire CB certificates and CITES documentation for any commercial transaction
Red leg (Aeromonas)
Signsimprove water dish quality; veterinary antibiotic treatment
Quarantine
Signs30 days; terrestrial terrarium; T° 24–26 °C; observe nocturnal activity and burrowing (sign of good health); appetite test at D3
Good to know
- D. guineti and D. antongilii nearly identical visually: D. guineti is orange-red with a less marked lateral black line, and slightly smaller — CB certificates mandatory
- White defensive skin secretion slightly irritating — handle without scented soap; rinse hands before
- Dry season simulation necessary to trigger breeding — without dry/rain cycle, breeding unlikely in captivity
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