Anthony's poison frog (Hyloxalus nexipus)

Short answers

Anthony's poison frog: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 60×40×40 cm for a pair, with a shallow, moving water area and a bank zone; floor space matters more than height.

Anthony's poison frog: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C, basking spot No basking spot — direct heat is harmful, at night 18–21 °C.

Anthony's poison frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Weak UVB recommended (UVB 2.0), no strong lamp.

Anthony's poison frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–15 years.

Anthony's poison frog: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C

Night temperature

18–21 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot — direct heat is harmful

Humidity

70–90 %, briefly up to 100 % at night; let it dry out during the day

UVB

Weak UVB recommended (UVB 2.0), no strong lamp

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 60×40×40 cm for a pair, with a shallow, moving water area and a bank zone; floor space matters more than height

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with a drainage layer, moss, leaf litter, flat stones and a shallow water area with gentle flow; eggs are laid on leaves and stones at the water's edge

Feeding

Food

Springtails, fruit flies and aphids, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

2,0–2,6 cm

Life expectancy

8–15 years

Origin

Ecuador and Peru

Protection status

CITES II — proof of origin required

Brumation

No winter rest, at most a short dry spell to trigger breeding

Cohabitation

A pair or a group with only one male. Males defend their calling sites against rivals; in a small space one animal permanently loses out and stops eating. Raise juveniles separately from adults — not because they would be eaten, but because the larger animals get to the food first. Provide plenty of shoreline sections and visual barriers, and feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

A streamside ground species; it needs flowing or moving water in the enclosure.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• Red-headed poison frog (Hyloxalus azureiventris) – Intermediate
• Yellow-bellied poison frog (Ameerega hahneli) – Intermediate
• Bassler's poison frog (Ameerega bassleri) – Intermediate
• Poison frogs (Ranitomeya amazonica) – Intermediate
• Poison frogs (Ranitomeya imitator) – Beginner to intermediate
• Poison frogs (Ranitomeya variabilis) – Intermediate
• Blue poison dart frog (Dendrobates azureus) – Beginner to intermediate
• Painted poison frog (Ameerega picta) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Anthony's poison frog (Hyloxalus nexipus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 60×40×40 cm for a pair, with a shallow, moving water area and a bank zone; floor space matters more than height), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with a drainage layer, moss, leaf litter, flat stones and a shallow water area with gentle flow; eggs are laid on leaves and stones at the water's edge), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.