Poison dart frog

Chytridiomycosis (chytrid fungus)

SignsDull skin, increased shedding, sitting with hind legs extended, sluggishness, sudden death

PreventionQuarantine newcomers for at least 1 month, separate tools per frog, never discharge tank water outdoors

Vitamin A deficiency

SignsTongue cannot extend and misses prey, wiping the mouth, weight loss, swollen eyes

PreventionDust food with a vitamin A supplement about once a week; discuss the mix with your vet

Metabolic bone disease (rickets)

SignsTrembling hind legs, inability to jump, deformed lower jaw, arched body, fractures

PreventionDust every feeding with calcium + D3; use only weak UV for short periods

Red leg syndrome

SignsRed, congested belly and hind legs, skin sores, loss of appetite, immobility

PreventionKeep water and substrate clean, avoid overcrowding, use dechlorinated water

Ascites / edema (bloat)

SignsBody swells like a balloon, skin stretched and translucent, immobility

PreventionAvoid poor water quality and chlorine, never use pure (RO) or mineral-heavy water alone, see a vet early

Parasites (nematodes, etc.)

SignsWeight loss despite eating, loose stool, swollen abdomen, lethargy

PreventionFecal test for newcomers, remove droppings daily, do not share tweezers or tools

Dryness / dehydration

PreventionKeep humidity at 70–90% with automated misting, escape-proof the enclosure, and prepare a backup for power outages

First aidSoak belly-deep in shallow, room-temperature dechlorinated water in a dark place; if it moves it is recovering, if sluggish see a vet

Fracture from a fall

PreventionReduce high perches in the enclosure; move the frog in a container, never in your hand

First aidDo not move it; rest it in a small container lined with damp paper towel and see a vet the same day

Snout / skin abrasions

PreventionAdd a background for frogs that rub their nose on glass; avoid sharp driftwood or cork

First aidRinse with clean water, switch to damp paper towel substrate to prevent infection; see a vet if it festers

Drowning

PreventionWater depth under half the body height, build a sloped exit, take care during water changes

First aidLift out, hold head down to drain water from the mouth, rest in a shallow damp container; see a vet if breathing does not return

Salmonellosis

RouteHand-to-mouth after touching droppings, tank water or tools

PreventionWash hands with soap after care; never change water or wash tools in the kitchen

Atypical mycobacteriosis

RouteTank water contacting a cut on the hand

PreventionWear gloves if you have cuts; wash hands after water changes

Aeromonas infection

RouteContact with dirty tank water or droppings

PreventionImmunocompromised people should avoid care; dedicate and wash tools

Skin toxins of wild-caught frogs

RouteBare-hand contact with the skin of wild-caught frogs

PreventionCaptive-bred frogs are non-toxic; never touch wild-caught frogs bare-handed

Food

• Staple is flightless fruit flies, daily to every other day
• Vary with springtails, pinhead crickets and termites
• Dust every feeding with calcium, and with vitamins 1–2 times a week

Water

• Mist daily with dechlorinated water; provide a shallow water dish
• Avoid pure (RO) water alone; use water with some minerals

Toys & play

• Create climbing spots with houseplants or bromeliads
• Place film canisters as egg-laying sites and hides
• Lay a thick layer of leaf litter to encourage foraging

Nest, bed & hideout

• Place several cork or coconut-shell hides
• Even diurnal frogs need hides; provide more hides than frogs

Bedding & litter

• Drainage layer of pumice at the bottom, soil-based substrate and leaf litter on top
• Do not use fine sand or gravel; it gets swallowed
• Remove droppings and leftover food daily

Cage / housing material

Front-opening glass vivarium balancing ventilation and humidity

Size & space

At least 45 W x 45 D x 45 H cm for 1–2 frogs

Layout

• Open ground at the front, plants and hides at the back and sides
• Shallow water area with a slope for easy entry and exit
• Leave some dry spots the mister does not reach

Placement notes

• Avoid direct sunlight and airflow from heaters or air conditioners
• Tiny bodies escape through small gaps; check for gaps

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No walks or free-roaming; everything stays inside the enclosure
• Handle minimally; oils and dirt on hands damage the skin
• Use a larger enclosure so climbing and foraging provide exercise

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–27°C by day, at least 18°C at night, never above 30°C

Humidity70–90%, maintained by misting several times a day

Summer & winter

• In summer, over 30°C is fatal; air-condition the whole room
• In winter, place a panel heater on the side and humidify against dryness

Nail trimming

No nail trimming needed; instead record body condition weekly to catch weight loss or swelling early

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed; the frog eats its shed naturally. If shed is retained, suspect low humidity and mist more

Other care

Change water in the dish daily, wash glass and tools weekly, keep tweezers and tools separate per frog

Protection from predators

• Lock the lid so cats and dogs cannot reach the enclosure
• Remove spiders, centipedes and ants that get into the enclosure
• Keep out mosquitoes and gnats; ventilate through screens

Foreign-body ingestion

Swallowing fine substrate or sand with food causes intestinal blockage; feed on leaf litter or in a dish, and see a vet if it stops passing stool

Being stepped on

Do not step on it while handling or working in the enclosure; locate the frog before working and never put it on the floor

Getting pinched

Easily caught in sliding front doors or lid edges; check no frog is near the door before closing

Falls

Beware of dropping the enclosure off a desk or the frog from your hand; even a 30 cm fall can cause fractures

Escape

Escapes through door gaps and vents; if it escapes, turn off lights and search damp dark places and the bathroom; when found, return it to shallow water

Safe release procedure

1. Quietly cover it from the front with a wet glove or damp container
2. Block escape routes, gently guide it into the container and close the lid
3. Do not grip legs or body; cup it in your whole palm
4. Wash hands afterward; the skin is non-toxic but carries bacteria

After the release

After prolonged handling, return it to shallow water to rehydrate; see a vet for any skin wounds or bleeding

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Confirm in advance that the clinic treats amphibians; transport the frog in a small container lined with damp paper towel; report enclosure temperature/humidity and the types of food and water

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Pulsing throat movement is breathing; if it moves, it is breathing
• The heartbeat can be seen through the belly skin
• Righting reflex when placed belly-up; leg withdrawal when touched

Stopping bleeding

• Press gently with damp gauze; do not rub
• Antiseptics and alcohol are absorbed through the skin and must not be used
• If bleeding does not stop, take it to the vet in its container

Transport

• Small container lined with damp paper towel
• Keep at 22–27°C and avoid direct sunlight