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Care Sheet: Dyeing Poison Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius)

Common Name: Dyeing Poison-arrow Frog, Blue & Yellow Poison-arrow Frog. Scientific Name: Dendrobates tinctorius. Distribution: Guyana, French Guiana, Surinam, and Brazil. Size: 3.5 - 6cm. Sexing: When at an adult size it is quite easy to determine the sex of these frogs, the most reliable way is if the males can be heard calling for a mate or to mark its territory. Females are often larger and more rotund than males and males of this species also show enlarged heart shaped toe pads. Varieties: There are 35 colour morphs so far described for this species and in my opinion are some of the most beautiful Dendrobates available. The most popular morphs available to the hobbyist are a glossy black background colour, yellow snout and two yellow dorsal stripes with yellow spots and blotches on the sides. The throat, thighs and ventral surface are heavily patterned with blue. Other colour morphs available include white & black, white & blue, yellow & black, and blue & black. Requirements: These small frogs are very territorial and so require a fairly large terrarium. A 15-gallon tank would be adequate for a group of 4 adults. They require a well-planted woodland type set-up with a substrate of bark chips or topsoil covered with live moss. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark and live plants (Ferns, Bromeliads, Tillandsia, and Orchids) can be arranged to provide a number of climbing, perching and hiding places. These frogs are fond of moving water and so it is a good idea to use a waterfall in the terrarium alternatively a small water bowl (no deeper than the frog's height at rest) must be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water. The water will need to be changed daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria in the water whilst changing the water it is a good idea to visually inspect the tank and remove, clean and replace any soiled items. The tank will need to be heated to a daytime temperature of 26 - 28°C with a drop at night to 22-24°C this can be done with an under-tank heat-mat controlled by a thermostat. These frogs require a humidity in the region of 80% so daily misting is necessary. It is not advisable to use spot / heat lamps with amphibians and so a separate light source should be provided by the means of a fluorescent UVB tube. Once every two-three weeks the tank and its contents should be completely cleaned and sterilised using an amphibian / reptile friendly disinfectant. Feeding: Adult frogs require feeding every day, they will take a mixture of suitably sized insects including crickets, waxworm, ants, termites, aphids and fruitflies. A calcium and vitamin supplement should be used once a week. Young frogs will take hatchling crickets, whiteworm, aphids, springtails, and fruitflies, these should be fed several times a day and a calcium and vitamin supplement used two-three times a week.