Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need some information on keeping dart frogs. I have kept several frogs species before but never dendrobates or phylobates and so need some help. First off, how big of a tank is ideal and how many frogs can I have? And can I mix species in the same tank? I also wanted to know if I cannot mix species if I could mix different color morphs of the same species such as different D. Tinctorius or something to that effect. Also know of any good books or websites? Thankyou for your help!

About 1 frog per 5 gallons in a vivarium tank is good.
Don't mix species or morphs, at least at first. Get some experience before you decide whether you really want to do it. Mixing is an on-going argument. Just enjoy your first darts without getting into this. Morphs and other stuff is for later.

Darts are actually pretty easy to keep, and less hassle in the long run because you can set up a biological system that doesn't require constant tearing apart and sanitizing.

You want a terrarium tank with live plants, so this is the main issue-- perhaps waterfalls, water features and such. None of this really has to be high tech, but there are many ways to do it. It helps to be as interested in the plants and how to grow tropical plants in a terrarium as it does to be interested in the frogs. They go together and prosper together.

Look around for care sheets. Saurian is a good source, but there are a dozen others. Lurk around and find out what you want to do and do it. Many dart keepers have web sites and instructions on building dart vivariums.

I just did my original tank on my own-- a paludarium, with fish in the aquarium section and D. galactonotus on land, that is still working well five years later. I kind of invented it for myself, I guess, although it isn't original at all. I now have about 12 different set-ups for various dart frogs. Some have worked out better than others. None have involved anything that requires a lot of technical knowledge. None are automated, and all require daily attention.

Link

-----
Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus

The only thing that scares me about that kind of setup is that the frogs would fall into the water and drown.

Darts can all swim, although they don't do it deliberately, and it's more like a mad dash. Each section has an egress log from water to land. They have accidentally fallen in several times while after fruit flies or sometimes platy fish fry, but they just swim to a log and climb out. Reports of drowning usually occur where there is a shallow waterway and frogs are fighting and wrestling, especially tincs. One may hold the other under. Falling in deep water just breaks up the fight, so deep water is actually safer with tincs or others that wrestle "for keeps." As long as there is an egress to land, they're o.k. around deep water.

I have had the same D. galactonotus in this tank for several years. I have one other tank with a small deep water pool with a pair of imitators in it. I have actually witnessed them jump into it from an overhanging leaf and swim to the shore to sit in the water in a tiny shallow cove.
-----
Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus

Have the fish ever tried to eat the frogs or nibble on their toes? That is what worries me.... Then again, I dont have any, and am just looking for a good setup. I would like to know how you did yours, its beautiful! Any web sites you know of with a how-to would be apperciated.