The numbers
Enclosure
30 × 30 × 30 cm
Temperature
22–28 °C; tolerance 20–30 °C (species adapted to the tropics)
Humidity
60–80%; misting 1×/day; shallow water dish renewed daily
UVB
Photoperiod 12 h; low UVB (2–5%) beneficial (aids D3 synthesis); not mandatory if supplementation is correct
Identity
Adult size
4–7 cm SVL; juvenile ~1.5 cm
Lifespan
5–10 years in captivity
Legal status
Unrestricted (native species of Thailand)
Price (THB)
200–800
Difficulty
Beginner
Origin / habitat
Cohabitation
Same-size groups accepted; no cohabitation with smaller species (predation)
Enclosure and conditions
Terrarium / aquarium
Terrarium 30×30×30 cm minimum for 1–2 individuals; deep substrate for burrowing; lid (occasional climbing)
Temperature
22–28 °C; tolerance 20–30 °C (species adapted to the tropics)
Humidity / water
60–80%; misting 1×/day; shallow water dish renewed daily
Lighting / UVB
Photoperiod 12 h; low UVB (2–5%) beneficial (aids D3 synthesis); not mandatory if supplementation is correct
Substrate / setup
Coco fibre or peat/sand mix 8–10 cm deep (burrowing); a few flat hides; optional low plant
Feeding
Crickets, Dubia roaches, earthworms, mealworms (in moderation as fatty); 2–3×/week for adults; calcium + D3 dusting at every meal
Reproduction
Sexing
♀ slightly larger; ♂ throat slightly duller; ♂ emits a loud bellowing (resembles a foghorn) during the rainy season
Maturity
12–18 months
Triggering
Rainy season simulation: increase misting for 2 weeks + slight nocturnal cooling; rain chamber for breeders
Spawning
Floating eggs deposited at the water surface in axillary amplexus; several hundred eggs; hatching 24–48 h
Tadpoles / metamorphosis
Filter-feeding larvae (spirulina powder, algae); rapid metamorphosis 3–4 weeks; very small froglets (~5 mm)
Juvenile rearing
D. melanogaster fruit flies, springtails, mini crickets; slightly moist substrate; slow growth
Common health problems
Defensive inflation (air balloon)
Signsnormal stress behaviour — do not confuse with dropsy; deflates on its own once the danger has passed
Bacterial skin infections if humidity too high without ventilation
Signsoptimise terrarium ventilation
Health
SignsObesity if mealworms or waxworms in excess — ration fatty prey
Quarantine
Signs21–30 days; quarantine terrarium with coco fibre substrate; observe nocturnal appetite (nocturnal species); tare weight (1 g precision scale) at entry
Good to know
- Common native species in Thailand — often caught in the wild (WC); verify CB origin before purchase for health and parasitology
- Balloon inflation under stress: unique self-defence behaviour — release immediately if the animal inflates in hand
- Extremely loud call during the rainy season — in urban breeding, inform neighbours during the breeding period
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