Other Names (How it Got Its Names) Dendrobates tinctorius 'Citronella' Dyeing Poison Dart Frog Characteristics Large, bold dart frog with intense coloration. Hardy and popular in the dart frog hobby. More terrestrial than arboreal, often found on the forest floor among leaf litter. Recommended Vivarium Size Minimum: 18” x 18” x 18” for a pair. Larger enclosures (24” x 18” x 18” or bigger) recommended for trios or groups. Provide plenty of leaf litter, cork bark hides, and low plants for cover. Temperature Daytime: 72–78°F (22–25°C). Nighttime: 68–72°F (20–22°C). Avoid temps above 80°F for long periods. Humidity 70–90%, with daily misting. Provide moist microhabitats but maintain good ventilation. Size of Frog Adults: 1.5–2 inches (3.8–5 cm). Life Span 10–15 years in captivity with proper care. Feeding Diet: fruit flies (D. melanogaster and D. hydei), pinhead crickets, springtails, and isopods. Feed daily; dust prey with calcium and vitamins several times per week. Color/Pattern Bright lemon yellow Black spots or blotches, and no spots in some individual frogs Social Behavior Can be housed in pairs or trios, but males may become territorial in smaller setups. Bolder and more visible than some auratus or leucomelas morphs. Males vocalize with soft buzzing calls. How to Determine Sex Males: smaller, slimmer, with more pronounced toe pads; call to attract females. Females: larger, rounder-bodied when gravid. How to Breed Provide film canisters, petri dishes, or broad leaves for egg deposition. Males court females with soft calls; eggs are laid in concealed, moist spots. Eggs hatch in ~10–14 days; tadpoles should be collected and raised in aquatic setups. Metamorphosis occurs in ~2–3 months depending on diet and conditions.
