Painted poison frog (Ameerega picta)

Short answers

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

40×40×50 cm for a pair, planted.

Painted 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.

Painted poison frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Painted poison frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–15 years.

Painted 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

80–95 %, mist daily

UVB

Weak UVB recommended (UVB 2.0), no strong lamp

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×40×50 cm for a pair, planted

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with a drainage layer, moss, leaf litter, bromeliads and film canisters as spawning sites

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

Bolivia and Brazil

Protection status

CITES II — proof of origin required

Brumation

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

Cohabitation

A group suits this species well, as it is considered less territorial than other Ameerega species and does fine in company. Rear juveniles separately from adults, since larger animals reach the food first.

Notes

A robust ground species, a good way into the genus.

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-bellied poison frog (Ameerega hahneli) – Intermediate
• Bassler's poison frog (Ameerega bassleri) – Intermediate
• Ruby poison frog (Ameerega parvula) – Intermediate
• Yellow-striped poison frog (Ameerega flavopicta) – Intermediate
• Three-striped poison frog (Ameerega trivittata) – Intermediate
• Pepper's poison frog (Ameerega pepperi) – Intermediate
• Silverstone's poison frog (Ameerega silverstonei) – Intermediate
• Anthony's poison frog (Hyloxalus nexipus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Painted poison frog (Ameerega picta) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×40×50 cm for a pair, planted), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with a drainage layer, moss, leaf litter, bromeliads and film canisters as spawning sites), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.