Amphibian atlas

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Dendrobates tinctorius "Citronella" is native to the primary tropical rainforests of southern Suriname, near the border with Brazil. It inhabits the damp and shaded forest floor, living among wet leaf litter, buttress roots of large trees, and mossy rock formations near streams. These primary forests experience stable temperatures and high relative humidity throughout the year, with little seasonal variation.

Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Dendrobatidae, genus Dendrobates, and species Dendrobates tinctorius. "Citronella" is a distinct geographic color morph that evolved in isolation. In captivity, breeders preserve the genetic purity of this morph by avoiding cross-breeding with other Dendrobates tinctorius varieties to prevent muddying the distinct yellow-and-blue pattern.

Behavior and Habits: Strictly diurnal and terrestrial. It is a bold, active, and curious frog that shows little fear, spending much of the day exploring the terrarium in search of food. Males are territorial and call using a soft buzzing sound to attract females. Females of this species are surprisingly aggressive towards one another, fighting for access to dominant males.

Morphology: This is one of the largest morphs of the species, with adult females reaching lengths of 5.5 to 6.0 cm, while males are slightly smaller (around 5.0 cm). The dorsum and flanks are covered in a solid, bright lemon-yellow coloration, while the front and hind limbs are a contrasting deep metallic blue, often speckled with black spots. The toes feature small suction pads for climbing.

Terrarium Setup: Requires a bioactive tropical rainforest terrarium measuring at least 50x50x50 cm for a pair. The substrate must feature a drainage layer of clay balls, covered by a mesh barrier and a damp soil-peat mix, topped with a thick layer of oak or magnolia leaf litter and sphagnum moss. Plant heavily with bromeliads, ferns, and climbing vines, and include cork bark logs.

Lighting and Heating: The ideal daytime temperature range is between 22°C and 26°C (72-79°F). Temperatures exceeding 28°C (82°F) are rapidly fatal to this species. Night temperatures should drop to 20-21°C (68-70°F). Use LED lights for plant growth and a low-output (2.0 or 5.0) UVB bulb to support calcium absorption and prevent skeletal issues.

Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity between 80% and 95% at all times. Mist the enclosure 2-3 times daily using reverse osmosis (RO) or distilled water, as tap water chemicals can damage their permeable skin. Avoid deep pools of water since these frogs cannot swim well and can drown; a shallow petri dish or bromeliad axils are sufficient.

Feeding and Supplementation: Feed exclusively on live micro-insects. The staple diet consists of flightless fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster and D. hydei), springtails, dwarf isopods, and pinhead crickets. Dust the insects at every feeding with a high-quality powder supplement containing calcium, vitamin D3, and vitamin A to prevent spindly leg syndrome.

Compatibility: Best housed as a single male-female pair. Do not house multiple females together, as they will fight aggressively, often leading to the death of the submissive female due to stress and physical trauma. Do not mix with other frog species or other color morphs of D. tinctorius to avoid hybridization.

Health and Common Diseases: Susceptible to chytridiomycosis (a fatal fungal infection), toxic shock syndrome from organic waste buildup, and metabolic bone disease (MBD) due to calcium deficiencies. Always use purified water for misting, and ensure the terrarium drainage layer prevents the substrate from becoming waterlogged.