Frog Care

Poison dart frogs thrive in captivity, and with a few simple guidelines, caring for them is straight forward. Below are some general guidelines for dart frog care as well as some recommended web sites for additional info.

 

An Overview of Poison Dart Frog Care

• Eggs should be kept in an enclosed container on a moistened paper towel to maintain humidity. They should not be submersed in water.

• Hatched tadpoles can be raised at room temperature in just a few ounces of distilled water. Water should be changed every 2-3 days. Feed tadpoles at each water change with a small pinch of FNT's Fortified Tadpole Chow.

• Once all 4 legs emerge (~3 months), place tadpoles in a tilted container so that they can climb out of the water when they are ready.

• Froglets should be kept in a small (<5 gal) container with constant food availability until they learn to hunt and eat well (~2 months out of the water).

• Most adult dendrobates are best kept in pairs in at least a 10 gallon vivarium although some non-dendrobates species will do well in higher numbers.

• The temperature should be maintained at ~74-78°F, although brief fluctuations between 68-82°F (such as during cool evenings) are tolerated.

• The humidity should be maintained at >90%. This can be achieved by covering the tank with a glass canopy and misting thoroughly with distilled water 1-2x per day.

• A false-bottom aquarium containing a heater and a waterfall is a convenient way to maintain both temperature and humidity especially during the winter months. 

• Frogs should be fed ~5 days per week. An adult frog will eat >20 D. malanogaster flies/feeding. Flies should always be dusted with a mixture of calcium and vitamin supplements. We recommend Repashy Calcium Plus, Dendrocare,  or a 1:1 mix of Repashy Supercal and Supervite. Please adhere to supplement expiration dates as potency rapidly declines over time.