Dart Frog Care: Create a Thriving Habitat & Ensure Healthy Frogs

Typical appearance and behavior

• These small frogs come in a variety of bright colors and patterns
• While they are sometimes referred to as “poison” dart frogs, they are nontoxic when kept as pets. Like other species of terrestrial frogs, the chemicals they need to make the skin toxins they secrete come from insects they eat in nature and are not found in captive-bred insects
• As delicate-skinned amphibians, they should only be held when absolutely necessary. They are best kept in a vivarium as a “hands off” pet.
• While arrow frogs’ size can vary by species—from less than an inch to 2.5” long—they average about 1.5” long as adults

Characteristics

Habitat

Habitat size

An appropriate size habitat will depend on how many frogs are being housed together. A minimum 10-gallon tank is adequate for two dart frogs. If keeping more than one frog in a habitat, a good rule of thumb is to add 5-10 gallons of space per frog. Tanks should have a tightly fitting solid or partially vented top to prevent escape and maintain proper humidity. These frogs reach adult size in 10-18 months under ideal conditions, depending on species.

Building your habitat

• Décor - Provide several hiding places to make frogs feel secure and to decrease territorial behavior. Live and artificial plants, commercially available branches, driftwood, leaf litter and cork bark all can be provided to help frogs feel safe and to provide stimulation. An open shallow dish of dechlorinated water large enough for frogs to drink from and soak in should be available. Although not semi-aquatic, arrow frogs also may be housed in semi-aquatic terrariums where part of the habitat has large-sized gravel (too large to be consumed) pushed to one side of the tank and covered in dry substrate, sloped on an angle down to a shallow area of dechlorinated water. Semi-aquatic terrariums are best kept clean with small submersible, low-flow water filters.
• Substrate – As arrow frogs typically live in moist areas, the ideal substrate for their habitats should hold moisture to maintain humidity. Moist sphagnum moss and coconut fiber work well, or a premixed substrate comprised of barks and mosses can be utilized. Substrate should be at least 2” inches deep. Some recommend placing substrate over a drainage sheet composed of a sheet of mesh screen layered over large gravel to aid in drainage so that substrate doesn’t become moldy. Leaf litter can also be added to the habitat
• Humidity - Maintain 70-90% humidity, depending on species, by misting with dechlorinated water every day as needed. Providing an open bowl of shallow water also will help maintain humidity through evaporation. Monitor humidity with a humidity gauge.
• Temperature - Provide a temperature gradient from 68°F in the cool zone and at night to no higher than 80°F in the warm zone. Exposure to temperatures higher than 80°F for even short times can be deadly to these frogs. Monitor temperatures with at least two thermometers. An under-tank heating pad (or an aquarium heater for enclosures with false bottoms) can be used as a heat source—as long as appropriate humidity is maintained. Heat sources should be attached to thermostats to regulate temperatures. Thermostats are especially important with heating pads because they can get hot and cause burns through the tank floor if not regulated properly. Hot rocks should not be used as a heat source, as they can burn amphibians’ delicate skin. Amphibians not kept in the appropriate temperature ranges are more likely to become immunosuppressed and get sick.
• Lighting – Arrow frogs and other terrestrial amphibians do not require UV (ultraviolet) light to survive, but a low-level (2.0 or 5.0) UVB bulb or LED fixture is recommended to encourage natural behaviors and can be used to help establish a normal 10-12 hour day/night cycle. Be sure that the tank does not get too hot, and provide hiding places for frogs to avoid light as needed.

Cleaning your habitat

Thoroughly clean and disinfect water and food bowls daily. If not bioactive, the habitat should be spot-cleaned as needed to remove droppings.

If not bioactive, thoroughly clean the remainder of the habitat at least once a month:

• Place frogs in a secure habitat, handling them gently so as not to damage their delicate skin
• Scrub the tank and furnishings with an amphibian-safe habitat cleaner or 3% bleach solution
• Rinse thoroughly with hot water until no residue remains; it is imperative that all traces of the habitat cleaner or bleach solution are gone
• Dry the tank and furnishings completely and add clean substrate before putting frogs back in the habitat

Bioactive habitats help eliminate the need for cleaning and help to reduce stress, as regular cleaning can be very stressful for arrow frogs.

Feeding

A well-balanced small arrow frog consists of:

• A variety of insects, mainly flightless fruit flies, but can also consume gut-loaded (recently fed) pinhead crickets, , springtails and isopods

Things to remember when feeding your small arrow frog:

• Fresh, clean, chlorine-free water should be available at all times
• Arrow frogs generally enjoy hunting for food; only live insects should be offered
• Feed juveniles daily, adults every other day
• If your frog looks like it’s getting overweight or leftover food is found in the habitat, decrease the frequency of feeding
• Sprinkle food with calcium supplement daily and a multivitamin supplement once a week
• Feed frogs often as they like to continuously graze
• Vary their diet as much as possible to keep frogs interested and to provide complete and balanced nutrition
• Be sure not to overfeed insects so they don’t chew on or injure frogs’ skin

Arrow frog care

• Don't handle frogs unless necessary; always wear moistened, powder-free gloves when handling frogs. Bacteria and oils on your skin can be absorbed through the frog’s delicate, porous skin and cause harm. Use an appropriately sized, small-mesh, soft net to move or block the frog while doing habitat maintenance.
• Frogs typically shed their skin every day and will eat it as they shed in order to avoid predators and consume nutrients present in shed skin.

Where to buy arrow frogs

Arrow frogs are available for purchase at your local Petco Pet Care Center location. Please call ahead to check availability.

Supplies

• Appropriately sized habitat
• Substrate
• Sphagnum moss
• Water dish
• Hideaway place
• Climbing décor
• Plants
• Under-tank heater
• UVB or LED lighting and fixture
• Multivitamin supplement
• Calcium supplement
• Cricket keeper
• Cricket food
• Cricket quencher
• Thermometers
• Humidity gauge
• Mister

Habitat mates

• Frogs of the same species can be housed together as long as the habitat is large enough
• Do not house different species together

Health

Signs of a healthy arrow frog

• Active and alert
• Clear eyes, nose and mouth
• Skin free of hanging shed skin, sores, wounds or discoloration
• Plump, rounded body
• Eats food and passes stool regularly
• Hops and moves freely
• Hunts, stalks and catches prey actively
• Maintains body weight

Red flags (If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian)

• Weight loss or decreased appetite
• Obesity
• Lethargy
• Bloated abdomen or other body parts
• Skin lesions or discoloration
• Distressed breathing
• Imbalanced or weak movements
• Sunken or cloudy eyes
• Dull reactions
• Excess hanging shed skin
• Discharge or bubbles from eyes, nose or mouth
• Emaciated or "bony" appearance

Common health issues

Notes and resources

Ask a Pet Care Center partner about Petco's selection of products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All products carry a 100% money-back guarantee.

Because all frogs are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your frog and/or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of diseases.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physicians before purchasing and/or caring for a frog and should consider having a pet other than a frog.

Go to the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov/healthypets for more information about frogs and disease.

The information on this care sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is sick or you need additional information, please contact your veterinarian as appropriate.