Scientific Name: Dendrobates auratus.
Common Names: Green and Black Poison-arrow Frog, Green Poison-arrow Frog.
Distribution: Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
Size: 2.5 - 6cm depending on region of origin.
Sexing: It is quite difficult to determine the sex of these frogs, the most reliable way is if the males can be heard calling for a mate or to mark its territory. Females do tend to have a more rounded body shape but this is not always reliable.
Colouration: There are at present approximately 19 colour morphs know so far for this species of Poison-arrow frog, the nominate form which is seen most often is a glossy black colour, with irregular metallic green markings.
Requirements: These small frogs are very territorial and so require a fairly large terrarium. A 15-gallon tank would be adequate for a group of 4 adults. They require a well-planted woodland type set-up with a substrate of bark chips or coco humus covered with live moss. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark and live plants (Ferns, Bromeliads, Tillandsia, and Orchids) can be arranged to provide a number perching and hiding places. A small water bowl (no deeper than the frog's height at rest) must be provided with clean dechlorinated or spring water. The tank will need to be heated to a daytime temperature of 27-28°C with a night time drop to 24-25°C this can be done with an under-tank heat-mat controlled by a thermostat. These Frogs require a high humidity so daily spraying is necessary. It is not advisable to use spot / heat lamps with amphibians and so a separate light source should be provided by the means of a fluorescent UVB tube.
Maintenance: Water will need changing daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria. Whilst changing the water it is a good idea to spot clean the tank and remove, clean, and replace any soiled items. At least once a month the entire terrarium and it's contents should be striped, cleaned, and sterilized using an amphibian friendly disinfectant.
Feeding: Adult frogs require feeding every day, they will take a mixture of suitably sized insects including small crickets, ants, termites, whiteworm, and fruitflies. A calcium and vitamin supplement should be used once a week. Young frogs will take hatchling crickets, aphids, springtails and fruitflies, these should be fed several times a day and a calcium and vitamin supplement used two-three times a week.
