Splash-backed poison frog (Adelphobates galactonotus)

Short answers

Splash-backed poison frog: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×45×50 cm.

Splash-backed poison frog: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–27 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 19–22 °C.

Splash-backed poison frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 2.0–5.0).

Splash-backed poison frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 12–18 years.

Splash-backed poison frog: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–27 °C

Night temperature

19–22 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

80–95 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 2.0–5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×45×50 cm

Substrate

Drainage plus coco humus, a thick layer of leaf litter, moss

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails

Feeding interval

adults daily

Key facts

Adult size

3.5–4.5 cm

Life expectancy

12–18 years

Origin

Brazil – the Amazon south of the river

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

A group is least stressful for this species: it is considered one of the most sociable poison frogs and does well in small groups as long as there is enough space (a rough guide is around two animals per 40 litres of tank volume). Keeping a pair also works but offers less social behaviour. Only combine animals of the same species and similar size.

Notes

A robust species with a plain orange, yellow or blue back. Mainly ground-living – a thick leaf layer rather than climbing structure.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Splash-backed poison frog (Adelphobates galactonotus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Brazil-nut poison frog (Adelphobates castaneoticus) – Intermediate
• Golden poison frog (Adelphobates quinquevittatus) – Intermediate
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Splash-backed poison frog (Adelphobates galactonotus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×45×50 cm), substrate (Drainage plus coco humus, a thick layer of leaf litter, moss), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.