• Housing Dart Frogs do best when housed in a naturalistic vivarium. The vivarium size will depend on the species and number of frogs. A pair of thumbnails can do well in a 12x12x18. A pair of larger species (ex dendrobates sp.) would do well in an 18x18x18. If wanting to add more frogs a larger tank is needed.
• Dart Frogs are very active and enjoy as much floor space as can be provided. “Floor space” can consist of a custom background, the sides of the terrarium, vines, driftwood, plants, etc and not just the floor. Depending on the species they may prefer a horizontal or a vertically-oriented tank, although all Dart Frogs will climb to some extent.
• We strongly recommend against mixing different Dart Frog species in the same enclosure. They each come from unique and separate geographic locations, and each type has different adult sizes and territorial behaviors.• Basics Dart Frogs require bioactive setups. The basic layering in your substrate is as follows: drainage layer, bioactive substrate (such as terra flora), moss layer, bioshot, springtails and isopods, and finally a leaf litter layer.
• Plants There are lots of plant options for your bioactive dart frog tanks. Because of the humidity requirement pick plants that can handle high levels of humidity.
• Lighting When using live plants full spectrum lighting is required this can be provided in both T5 linear form or LED lighting.68-78 degrees. Temperatures above 80 degrees should be avoided.
80% humidity and higher are required. A glass top on a glass tank is the best way to achieve this in addition to misting the enclosure as necessary.
Painted Frogs stay hydrated by simply being in a very humid environment, and absorb moisture through their skin. They are also very poor swimmers, so it’s best to avoid traditional water bowls and just keep the tank properly misted down. Misting systems are a great way to ensure proper humidity and moisture levels in the tank and vastly reduces the maintenance.Fruit flies are the primary food item, but Painted Frogs will also eat pinhead crickets along with beneficial microfauna such as springtails and isopods (think of them as edible janitors). Painted Frogs have a high metabolism and should be fed at least 3 times a week, but will readily eat every day.
Calcium Supplements
Repashy Calcium Plus is recommended to be placed on all feeders given to dart frogs.
If not using an all in one supplement and looking to breed your frogs a vitamin A supplement can be added 2/3x per week
For enhanced color Repashy Superpig can be given twice a month.
It is often more cost effective to culture your own feeder bugs, and can be done with relative ease.
In a proper environment, the waste of the frogs will be broken down by the microfauna (which are also a food source for the frogs) and absorbed by the plants. The only maintenance then consists of feeding the frogs, pruning the plants, and draining water from the drainage layer as needed.
Even though the Painted Frogs do not produce toxins in captivity, their skin is delicate and can absorb harmful substances on our skin, so they should never be handled recreationally.
Calcium deficiency – Symptoms of calcium deficiency include hind limb paralysis, complete paralysis, spasms, seizures, and skeletal deformities.
Painted Frog
Painted Frogs find their homes in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. There are over 150 different species of Painted Frog, all with their own unique coloration, behavior, and geographic range. Painted Frogs feed on tiny insects and arthropods that live in the leaf litter of the forest floor. These little bugs contain a cocktail of different chemicals that the frogs synthesize into toxins that are secreted through their skin. The Painted Frogs use their vibrant coloration to warn predators of these poisons. Some species of Painted Frog are exceptionally poisonous, and contain some of the most potent toxins on the planet. Certain tribal people use the frogs’ poison to coat their blow darts for hunting. Because of this, Painted Frogs are often called Poison Dart Frogs.
Fortunately, captive bred Painted Frogs are unable to produce those toxins, because they are not fed the same insects that they would naturally eat in the wild.
Size: up to 2”
Lifespan: 8-20 years
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal