Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've heard that paprika can be used to enhance the yellows in darts, but I've never heard mention in what quantities it should be used. Is there a ratio or should it be used like any other 'spice' and just tapped onto the fruitflies before feeding?

thanks,
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Kristi
0.0.2 Azureus
0.0.2 Cobalts
0.0.2 Powderblues

I usually use about 1/8th of a teaspoon of paprika for every full teaspoon of supplement (repcal and herptivite). If I am ever in a hurry and just want to mix it quick, I just add enough to get a very light orange tint to the mix.
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Randy

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Kristi
0.0.2 Azureus
0.0.2 Cobalts
0.0.2 Powderblues

Anyone got any suggestions on increasing blue?

Thanks,
M.N

I've heard powdered chlorella works on blue colors, but haven't read any logical explanations why it should. I don't think the blue frogs tend to fade with age like some of the yellows and oranges are said to do. My blue auratus remain their original lovely blue. They also get some of the paprika dust because I dust all the flies I feed to all the frogs at the same time and paprika is a very safe source of vitamin A. (Excess carotene is not all turned into vitamin A-- only what is needed, whereas the straight vitamin A supplement is stored in liver and fat, can't be excreted, and can be overdosed.)

It's actually only subjective, but I do believe the paprika does work on the yellow and orange colorations, and there's a physiologically sound explanation for this as excess carotenes are stored in the lipids of the skin cells.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
3 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
4 D. leukomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus pending

Im just recalling off the top of my head, but there was something on frognet a while back that said that there doesnt seem to be anything that will color up blues. Had to do with chromatophores....physical shape thereof, so not influenced by dietary factors. No idea if this is valid, and I still use chlorella/spirulina in my dust.

I feed my crickets lots of carrots, spirulina, and color-enhancing fish food. It is hard to say if it works, but I know when I feed my beardies and uromastyx carrots, the orange color increases. I imagine beta carotene can help increase the orange color, I am going to have to try the paprika thing though.

As was said earlier, the blue color has nothing to do with pigments. It is the shape of the protein that dictates what light it reflects when it comes to any blue animal. These proteins are similar to those found in your eyes. When no other pigments are there, they reflect only the blue light, and therefore appear blue. For this reason you will not be able to make a frog any more blue than it's genetics dictate. Paprika does work great for the reds, yellows, and oranges. I have mixed it with the fly media, with good results. I am eager to try dusting some flies now that it has been brought up in this forum.
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1.1.3 D. azureus
0.0.8 P. bicolor
0.0.7 D. auratus (polka-dot)
0.0.3 D. auratus (blue)
0.0.3 D. auratus (kahlua and cream)

Shannon