The imitators do a great job of raising their own, in my experience. I did have one male however, that was over-anxious, placed several tads together (they are cannibalistic) and then after finally getting this right, failed to guard and take care of a lone tad. He kept right on calling and breeding instead. I did raise this tad myself by simply leaving it in the bromeliad leaf and feeding it with fish flake and eggs I swiped from the laying females. Other males have been more responsible.

My female imitators do chase, head-butt, bull-dog and wrestle a lot when there are tads in the bromes, but even though this appears to be vicious, they don't ever seem to get hurt or even intimidated. They're very athletic. I have seen a female respond to the males "feed the tad" call, and sneak in to feed a tad that doesn't belong to her. They put on a great show.

You would love galactonotus. I have the orange splash back and some yellows in a different tank. Three of my female orange are 10 years old now. Last year I got them three more juveniles, at least one of which is a male. They did breed last spring, but piled up so many eggs I was able to save only one to raise, which is now a juvenile frog. Now that cooler weather has arrived, they are again showing some breeding activity.

They get along very well in a group, although I do occasionally see some of the old gals doing a bit of half-hearted wrestling. I've never observed any serious intimidation. They are all so bold and curious--very entertaining. They are the one specie that seems to be fully aware and curious about any activity outside the tank.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

D. auratus blue, auratus Ancon Hill, galactonotus orange, galactonotus yellow, fantasticus, reticulatus, imitator, castaneoticus, azureus, pumilio Bastimentos. P. lugubris, vittatus, terribilis mint green, terribilis orange.

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