Phantasmal poison frog (Epipedobates tricolor)

Short answers

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

40 × 40 × 45–50 cm (at least 30 × 30 × 45) for a pair.

Phantasmal poison frog: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C, at night ~20 °C.

Phantasmal poison frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Optional.

Phantasmal poison frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Phantasmal poison frog: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C

Night temperature

~20 °C

Basking spot

—

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

Optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

40 × 40 × 45–50 cm (at least 30 × 30 × 45) for a pair

Substrate

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

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails, small house crickets

Feeding interval

Daily to several times a week, dusted

Key facts

Adult size

ca. 2–2,3 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Zentral-Ecuador: Andenhänge der Provinz Bolívar, Bachläufe in etwa 1000–1770 m Höhe

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B, registration required

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

In pairs or as a small group of one male and two females is the least stressful option. Larger groups are possible in large, heavily structured enclosures, as with the closely related E. anthonyi; drawback: males are territorial and defend their territory vigorously, so suppressed animals must be removed promptly. Raise juveniles separately from adults, because the larger frogs get to the food first. Do not mix species.

Notes

A good beginner's poison dart frog, and loud callers. They cannot swim – shallow water only; captive-bred animals are non-toxic.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Anthony's poison arrow frog (Epipedobates anthonyi) – Beginner
• Yellow-bellied poison frog (Ameerega hahneli) – Intermediate
• Anthony's poison frog (Hyloxalus nexipus) – 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Phantasmal poison frog (Epipedobates tricolor) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40 × 40 × 45–50 cm (at least 30 × 30 × 45) for a pair), substrate (Rainforest, bromeliads, leaf litter, moss, a shallow 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.