The numbers
Enclosure
45 × 45 × 60 cm
Temperature
18–24 °C; optimum 20–22 °C; never >26 °C (heat stress); cool-water species
Humidity
80–100%; cold-water misting 2×/day; running water zone if possible (circulation pump) — running water triggers breeding
UVB
UVB 2–5% recommended (beneficial); photoperiod 12 h; low light intensity
Identity
Adult size
7–9 cm SVL; juvenile ~2 cm
Lifespan
8–15 years in captivity
Legal status
Unrestricted
Price (THB)
3 000–8 000
Difficulty
Intermediate
Cohabitation
Groups possible (same size); social species — groups of 3–5 recommended for breeding
Enclosure and conditions
Terrarium / aquarium
Arboreal vivarium 45×45×60 cm vertical for 2–3 individuals; integrated aquatic zone (water tank 10 cm) + vertical walls with mosses and cork bark
Temperature
18–24 °C; optimum 20–22 °C; never >26 °C (heat stress); cool-water species
Humidity / water
80–100%; cold-water misting 2×/day; running water zone if possible (circulation pump) — running water triggers breeding
Lighting / UVB
UVB 2–5% recommended (beneficial); photoperiod 12 h; low light intensity
Substrate / decor
Walls covered with live mosses (Vesicularia, Java moss) + cork bark + branches; floor coco fibre + sphagnum; water tank with circulation pump
Feeding
Crickets, Dubia roaches, earthworms (preferred), adult sphinx moths; 2–3×/week adults; calcium + vitamins per standard protocol
Reproduction
Sexing
♀ noticeably larger; ♂ more active; no notable chromatic dimorphism
Maturity
18–24 months
Breeding trigger
Running water (circulation pump or continuous misting) + slight nocturnal temperature drop to 18 °C; mixed groups
Egg laying
Eggs deposited on vertical walls above water or in tree holes above stagnant water; tadpoles fall into the water at hatching
Tadpoles / metamorphosis
IMPORTANT: water temperature in the tadpole tank must remain <20 °C to obtain ♀ — T° >22 °C produces almost exclusively ♂ (thermosensitive sex determination); metamorphosis 3–6 months
Juvenile care
Robust juveniles; same setup as adults in miniature; small crickets and white worms
Common health problems
Heat stress
SignsT° >26 °C rapidly fatal — cooling essential in Bangkok
Chytridiomycosis (Bd)
Signssensitive species; PCR at acquisition; tank water renewed regularly
Bacterial wound infections
Signstuberculate skin can hide injuries — inspect under raking light
Quarantine
Signs30–45 days in cool vivarium (20–22 °C); cold-water misting; observe active camouflage (sign of good health) and nocturnal appetite
Good to know
- Thermosensitive sex determination in tadpoles: maintain water <20 °C for a balanced sex ratio — critical information absent from most catalogues
- Mossy camouflage so perfect it can fool even an experienced keeper — count individuals regularly to ensure none are sick and hiding
- Running water triggers captive breeding — install a small circulation pump in the water tank
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