Dendrobates Tinctorius Azureus

Family: Dendrobatidae

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Locale: South America including most of French Guiana and parts of Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname

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Habitat: Forest floors of North-Western South America, among leaf litter, mosses, tree hollows and foliage. Terrestrial living though some semi-arboreal habits.

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Average Size: Range from 3.1 to 5 cm (1.2 to 1.97in) with average of 4 cm (1.57in)

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Average Lifespan:  7 - 10 years

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Activity: Diurnal

Captive care:  Dendrobates Tinctorius require allot of space, a vivarium of 24x18x18 will house an adult trio.
Dendrobates Tinctorius do best either housed in sexed pairs, all male groups or a large group of males and females in a ration of  two males to each female. Dendrobates Tinctorius are territorial and will fight over breeding sites and feeding locations, so it’s important to provide lots of hiding spots and cover. Dendrobates Tinctorius will also appreciate a well planted vivarium, plants like pothos and bromeliads provide not only cover but potential breeding sites.  Eco earth or coco husk with a covering of dead leaves, twigs and nut shells make an ideal substrates and should be given drainage by means of a false bottom or a deep layer of  hydroleca. The viavrium should have an escape prof lid constructed of either glass or plastic. Screen style tops should also be covered with glass or plastic panels. This is vital in keeping the humidity raised in the vivarium and will also prevent small prey items from escaping. When choosing the lid of the vivarium it is important to remember that most, if not all the UVB rays will be filtered out by most glass and plastics, so care should be taken in choosing a suitable material.

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Temperature:  Dendrobates Tinctorius require high humidity's of 75%-100% along with some ventilation. The vivarium should be misted with de-chlorinated water at least once a day, and never allowed to fully dry out. A temperature between 70 and 8o degrees in the day is required, with a drop to as low as 65 degrees at night.

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Lighting:  Frogs need light to see their food, and full spectrum lighting is needed to maintain the plants.

Although Dendrobates Tinctorius naturally inhabit the forest floor under the cover of the tree canopy, they are still subjected to exposure from U.V rays and full spectrum lighting. UVB can be very beneficial to Dendrobates Tinctorius, it will aid them in the production of D3 and will help prevent bone disfigurement in juveniles. A 2% tube with a reflector will provide them with substantial exposure and help promote plant growth. Full spectrum lighting may also be beneficial to both frogs and plants, and will contain a level of UVB. 

Diet:  Dendrobates Tinctorius are small amphibians that eat very small foods. Providing a constant source of small insects is the most difficult part of their husbandry. Fruit flies make the best staple diet, and they are very easy to culture. Pin head crickets, springtails, termites, aphids and small fly larvae also make good foods but are not ideal as the main diet. Feeding the right amounts can be a tricky game, feeding should be judged on how many insects are eaten within 2 minutes. Adults should be fed every other day, and  Juveniles do best offered food daily but in smaller quantities. Vitamin and mineral supplements are essential, and should be replaced every six months. Fruit flies and other food items should be supplemented before being offered to the frogs.

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Breeding:  Males call from below fallen leaves and other protected sites on land. In contrast to many frogs, female blue poison frogs actively court the males by stroking the snout and back. Females lay 2-6 eggs in a hollow below leaves, fallen logs or in similar moist, protected locations, after which they are fertilized by the male. The eggs are tended by the male, and sometimes by the female as well. Males soak in water and then lie over the eggs to moisten them, and may tend several clutches at once. The eggs hatch in 14-18 days and the tadpoles are transported to streams on the back of either parent. The tadpoles feed upon algae, decaying plants, Daphnia, mosquito larvae and other small, aquatic invertebrates and each other, and transform into frogs in 70-85 days.