Q's about darts in general.

[MantellaGuy]

Hi there,

I am going to break down more post, just to make it simpler! lol

ok, i am not sure i will ever own them, but i want to learn about them so i can make good decisions.

Firstly, well done Colleen for actually stating this, I find it is increasingly rare for people to stop and think instead of rushing into something!

So as i have been reading, a 20 long tank is too short after substrates, (b/c they jump high?) i thought darts were more terrestrial. so is it that climbing is essential, or are they jumping a lot?

In all honesty, this entirely depends upon which species, out of 298+, you wish to keep and look into. Including;

• Allobates (Family: Aromobatidae)
  
• Andinobates (Family: Dendrobatidae)
  
• Anomaloglossus (Family: Aromobatidae)
• Aromobates (Family: Aromobatidae)
  
• Mannophryne (Family: Aromobatidae)
  
• Rheobates (Family: Aromobatidae)
• Ameerega (Family: Dendrobatidae)
  
• Colostethus (Family: Dendrobatidae)
• Epipedobates (Family Dendrobatidae)
  
• Silverstoneia (Family: Dendrobatidae)
  
• Adelphobates (Family: Dendrobatidae)
  
• Dendrobates (Family: Dendrobatidae)
  
• Excidobates (Family: Dendrobatidae)
  
• Minyobates (Family: Dendrobatidae)
  
• Oophaga (Family: Dendrobatidae)
  
• Phyllobates (Family: Dendrobatidae)
  
• Ranitomeya (Family: Dendrobatidae)
• Hyloxalus (Family: Dendrobatidae)

All of these are indeed from two different Families, however both Aromobatidae and Dendrobatidae are considered Poison Dart Frogs.
To truly understand Poison Dart Frogs, firstly break up their Scientific naming to discover what it means. If you split the Dendrobates into two parts of its Greek translation, Dendron roughly means "Tree" and bateo/bates "I walk/mount", transforming it into roughly "Tree-walker".
Most of the family are incredibly Arboreal, and some of which that I have worked with have never set foot upon the substrate, yes they are technically terrestrial though but this doesn't mean they do not have their preferences though.
Some species, such as Oophaga pumilio are incredibly Arboreal, but then you have some species such as Dendrobates auratus, which are more Terrestrial in behaviour. So as you can see, it varies dramatically!

Height within the Terrarium would be essential and most advantageous to have. However specifications of dimensions cannot really be given without a chosen species.

i like the Dendrobates Tinc Azureus(sp?) and i see that i could only have one female in a group, so a pair would probably be best.

Dendrobates tinctorius azureus (believed to be the founding species of the D.tinctorius species/localities.) is incredibly popular and are fantastic I think to start off with. They do get big though in comparison to some in the family of Dendrobatidae and in all honesty, Trios are the recommended amount that should be kept within the terrarium, to prevent specimens from harrassing and bullying certain individuals. Terratoriality can occur, but mainly between the same genders such as Females on Females, this can be prevented though with ease.

I recommend a 800mm x 400mm x 600mm Terrarium is used, which is okay for a maximum of 3-4 specimens.

do they swim, or do they stay out of the water? I don't know if a large water feature would be useless if they don't like to swim.

They are notourisly bad swimmers, in fact awful to the point where they will actually drown themselves however, this doesnt happen often enough to make it a strong possiblity. People do use Water Features however, they are more of an Aesthetic thing for the owners benefit, not the animals.

Will they hunt, dig for springtails, or are springtails just crawling about on their own?

They are quite opportunistic in their dietary behaviour, and will generally eat when they come across something that is suitable.
This can include the following;

• Tropical Spring-tails (Folsomia candida)
• Tropical Dwarf Woodlice (Trichorina tomentosa)
• Pea Aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum)
• Lesser Wax Worms (Achroae grisella)
• Newly-hatched Wax Worms (Galleria mellonella)
• Hatchling Black Crickets (Gryllus assimilis)
• Hatchling Banded Crickets (Gryllodes sigillatus)

The Fruit Fly will be a staple dietary item, and should be provided more than anything else. Feeding should occur 3-4 times a week but not everyday though to prevent obesity and promoting natural behavioral patterns.

Anyway, hope this helps you out a bit.

Joshua Ralph
Moderator