Darts for the dedicated beginner?

[Baelari]

So, after realizing dart frogs can be kept as pets, and seeing your beautiful vivariums, I've decided that I'd like to set up one of my own. I've read a little on vivarium building and dart frog care, and plan on doing a lot more, but I think I need to have a frog in mind to design the vivarium for. (I haven't even picked up a tank yet, the possibilities!)

I'd like a bold species that's brightly colored, preferably in red if possible. I haven't been able to find much on color morphs or behaviors of commonly kept species, but I know I've seen pictures of little red frogs before. Any suggestions? I would be a very attentive caregiver to these guys, I just need to know what their specific requirements are before I start building and planting. I'm not in a rush; I want to do this right.

[MikeM670]

Well I can't recommend a bold red frog as I don't know of any, not that there are not some. I can however recommend the Dendrobates tinctorius 'Azureus' which is a blue with black spots. It is easy to keep if you follow the proper requirements and is very bold. Keep researching and I'm sure you will find something that fits your needs.

[bshmerlie]

There are a lot of red Pumilios. Check out the website www.sndartfrogs.com
He has some great pictures of all the different ones.

[clownonfire]

Would you be talking about the strawberry poison frog (Oophaga pumilio)?



You can find some O. pumilio "El Dorado" in the hobby (reddish/orange). An amazing one. They are a bit pricey, not extremely bold though.

I would suggest something easier to start off with. The Phyllobates terribilis "Orange" would make the perfect choice. Hardy, extremely bold, and grows larger than other dart frogs. It's also easier to care for as they will eat crickets as adults, and not just fruit flies and microfauna. Again, you'll find some in the hobby at around $100-$125.



Eric

PS: Images are from Google.

[bshmerlie]

Well...he didn't specify "cheap" red frogs
I just like Simply Natural Dart Frogs website because they show great pictures of all the color morphs on the same page.

[Baelari]

(I'm a she )

Yep. It was pumilios I saw, one of the Cristobal morphs. Maybe I'll wait on them for my second or third vivarium. I'm sure I won't be satisfied with just one.

Pricey indeed, sometimes I think I'm cursed for everything I like to turn expensive. At least if I stop eating out so dang much, I can save up for them while I build.

I do like the orange terribilis, and they do well in groups. Would they eat baby dubias too?

The azureus and the turquoise auratus have also made the shortlist. I'm afraid I'm going to have a frog-buying problem eventually, so if you see me on an A&E documentary show, you'll know what happened. (Well, some of you will probably be on there with me.)

Also, is it difficult to find people to take baby frogs off your hands? I won't have the space for an ever-multiplying colony of frogs if they decide to have lots of tadpoles.

[clownonfire]

(I'm a she )

Yep. It was pumilios I saw, one of the Cristobal morphs. Maybe I'll wait on them for my second or third vivarium. I'm sure I won't be satisfied with just one.

Pricey indeed, sometimes I think I'm cursed for everything I like to turn expensive. At least if I stop eating out so dang much, I can save up for them while I build.

I do like the orange terribilis, and they do well in groups. Would they eat baby dubias too?

The azureus and the turquoise auratus have also made the shortlist. I'm afraid I'm going to have a frog-buying problem eventually, so if you see me on an A&E documentary show, you'll know what happened. (Well, some of you will probably be on there with me.)

Also, is it difficult to find people to take baby frogs off your hands? I won't have the space for an ever-multiplying colony of frogs if they decide to have lots of tadpoles.

Terribs are voracious eaters and will try and eat basically anything of the right size handed to them. I have conferred with a hobbyist friend of mine (hi again, Corey) and she said that baby dubias could be used as feeders for terribs. And: "...bowl feed them for your sanity of having less running around the tank...".

As for finding people to take your froglets, my dear friend... That should be the least of your concerns.... Although I personally would not hand out my frogs to just anyone....

Eric

[Tony]

You can find some O. pumilio "El Dorado" in the hobby (reddish/orange). An amazing one. They are a bit pricey, not extremely bold though.

Mine are as bold as any of my tincs. Pumilio are not the best starter darts, but if that's what you really want then El Dorado are a good choice, easily one of the largest and boldest of the commonly available morphs.