Blue poison dart frog (Dendrobates azureus)

Short answers

Blue poison dart frog: How big does the enclosure need to be?

50 × 50 × 50 cm for a pair (larger for a group).

Blue poison dart frog: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–27 °C, at night ~22 °C.

Blue poison dart frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Optional.

Blue poison dart frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Blue poison dart frog: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–27 °C

Night temperature

~22 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

80–90 %

UVB

Optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

50 × 50 × 50 cm for a pair (larger for a group)

Substrate

Rainforest, bromeliads, leaf litter, moss, a small water section

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails, small house crickets, isopods

Feeding interval

Daily to several times a week, dusted

Key facts

Adult size

~4–4,5 cm

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

The Sipaliwini savanna at the tripoint of Suriname, Brazil and French Guiana; a blue colour form of Dendrobates tinctorius

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B, registration required

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

In pairs (1.1). Both sexes are territorial; two females do not work together because they fight over the male, and two males also displace each other with calling, chasing and wrestling. Larger groups only in noticeably bigger, heavily structured enclosures with several visual barriers. The subordinate animal often shows no injury, just sits hidden and loses condition.

Notes

A robust beginner's poison dart frog. Captive-bred animals are non-toxic; the females are strongly territorial towards each other.

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

• Yellow-banded poison dart frog (Dendrobates leucomelas) – Beginner
• Golden poison frog (Dendrobates nubeculosus) – Intermediate
• Green and black poison dart frog (Dendrobates auratus) – Beginner
• Dyeing poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) – Beginner
• Yellow-striped poison frog (Dendrobates truncatus) – Beginner
• Yellow-bellied poison frog (Ameerega hahneli) – Intermediate
• Anthony's poison frog (Hyloxalus nexipus) – Intermediate
• Bassler's poison frog (Ameerega bassleri) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Blue poison dart frog (Dendrobates azureus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50 × 50 × 50 cm for a pair (larger for a group)), substrate (Rainforest, bromeliads, leaf litter, moss, a small water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.