The numbers
Enclosure
45 × 45 × 45 cm
Temperature
23–27 °C; tolerance 21–28 °C
Humidity
80–100%; misting 1–2×/day RO water
UVB
Photoperiod 12 h; UVB 2% beneficial
Identity
Adult size
4.5–5.5 cm SVL; juvenile ~1 cm
Lifespan
8–15 years in captivity
Legal status
CITES II (CB + permit; WC individuals dangerous)
Price (THB)
3 500–9 000
Difficulty
Intermediate (CB non-toxic)
Origin / habitat
Cohabitation
Groups possible (10 L/individual); keep in pairs for breeding; monitor egg consumption among ♀
Enclosure and conditions
Terrarium / aquarium
Bioactive vivarium 45×45×45 cm for a group of 3; 60 cm side for 5–6 individuals
Temperature
23–27 °C; tolerance 21–28 °C
Humidity / water
80–100%; misting 1–2×/day RO water
Lighting / UVB
Photoperiod 12 h; UVB 2% beneficial
Substrate / setup
Bioactive + leaf litter + low bromeliads + hides; terrestrial species — little climbing
Feeding
D. hydei (larger size than leucomelas) + mini crickets; calcium without D3 × 4–5/week, vitamins × 1/week; larger eater than other dart frogs of the same size
Reproduction
Sexing
♂ slightly smaller, very characteristic call; ♀ very distended abdomen before spawning; subtle dimorphism
Maturity
12–18 months
Triggering
Extended misting; film canisters or palm leaves as spawning sites; mixed-sex group
Spawning
5–20 eggs on a large leaf or film canister; hatching 14–18 days; ♂ transports tadpoles
Tadpoles / metamorphosis
Individual rearing in deli cup; accept spirulina + vegetable tablets; metamorphosis 60–80 days; froglets capable of eating D. hydei from water exit
Juvenile rearing
Froglets among the most robust of the genus — relatively easy to wean; juvenile box + D. hydei from day 1
Common health problems
Health
SignsCB completely non-toxic (batrachotoxin absent without wild source prey) — safe handling with clean hands
Chytridiomycosis (Bd)
Signsidentical risk to other Dendrobates — quarantine and PCR recommended
Health
SignsObesity if overfed (greedy frog) — ration to 2–3×/week for adults; avoid excess mealworms
Quarantine
Signs30 days; humid 20×20×20 cm box; D. hydei available; observe hunting activity (good health indicator); Bd PCR if CB not certified
Good to know
- Only species where batrachotoxin (BTX) is present in WC specimens — CB are completely harmless as BTX is of dietary origin (Choresine insects)
- Among the easiest dart frogs to breed and wean — good froglets for beginners in advanced dartkeeping
- ♂ is the main caregiver for eggs and transports tadpoles — same pattern as D. leucomelas
Others in this group
White's Tree FrogRanoidea caeruleaAxolotlAmbystoma mexicanumYellow-banded Poison Dart FrogDendrobates leucomelasMimic Poison FrogRanitomeya imitatorDyeing Poison Dart FrogDendrobates tinctoriusGreen-and-black Poison Dart FrogDendrobates auratusStrawberry Poison Dart FrogOophaga pumilioAfrican Clawed FrogXenopus laevis