Dendrobates Tinctorius
Dendrobates tinctorius describes a large collection of variants or morphs that are found ranging throughout northeastern South America (Guyana, Surinam, French Guinea and northern Brazil). This species may represent the most varied of all dart frogs that are widespread in the hobby. These are larger frogs and are primarily terrestial, particularly as they grow older. Despite their size, they exhibit a preference for smaller prey items and will readily consume fruit flies and springtails while tending to ignore crickets unless they are pinheads. These frogs do best as adults as mated pairs since multiple females are known to fight quite aggressively in the presence of a male, oftentimes leading to the death of one of the combatants over time. Fortunately, sexing even subadult frogs is reasonably straightforward based on the front feet toepads and the pronounced hunch that females tend to show. It is important to note however that these features are not fool proof and one needs to watch for behavioral clues as well in assessing male or female sex determination.
Over time we have progressively picked up a number of tinctorius morphs. They tend to be some of the boldest frogs in our collection and usually attract the lions share of attention from casual observers. They are all housed in 29 gallon standard vivariums and mostly raised from froglet stage to maturity. As they age, we are assessing sex ratio and pairing them off as required. Breeding tends to occur under the coco hut on a petri dish. We have found that tinc tadpoles tend to be fairly robust and when provided with a diet of Tadpole/Frog Bites morph out of the water with good size and are capable of taking FFs immediately.
Update April 19, 2007 - The late winter and early spring have proven to be quite productive in terms of tinctorius breeding. In addition to continued breeding by our New River pair, we have breeding by our Citronella, Dwarf Cobalt, Inferalanis, Patricia and Powder Blue morphs. The Dwarf Cobalts and Powder Blues are notable for starting to breed at 10-11 months of age and producing good eggs/tadpoles from the start. To date we have morphed out several Citronella froglets with more on the way.
Update September 15, 2007 - Citronella production has been booming and we have produced upwards of close to 50 froglets from our pair. Breeding has gone well with both the Powder Blue and Dwarf Cobalt forms and we have a number of froglets from each type. Addition of a male Patricia from Robb Melancon (obtained at the May 2007 IAD meeting) has resulted in more effective breeding with one of our Nabors Patricia females. Finally we obtained two Yellowback tincs from Tim McRae at Midwest Frog Fest. So far they both appear to be female so we may need to obtain males for them.
Over time we have progressively picked up a number of tinctorius morphs. They tend to be some of the boldest frogs in our collection and usually attract the lions share of attention from casual observers. They are all housed in 29 gallon standard vivariums and mostly raised from froglet stage to maturity. As they age, we are assessing sex ratio and pairing them off as required. Breeding tends to occur under the coco hut on a petri dish. We have found that tinc tadpoles tend to be fairly robust and when provided with a diet of Tadpole/Frog Bites morph out of the water with good size and are capable of taking FFs immediately.
Update April 19, 2007 - The late winter and early spring have proven to be quite productive in terms of tinctorius breeding. In addition to continued breeding by our New River pair, we have breeding by our Citronella, Dwarf Cobalt, Inferalanis, Patricia and Powder Blue morphs. The Dwarf Cobalts and Powder Blues are notable for starting to breed at 10-11 months of age and producing good eggs/tadpoles from the start. To date we have morphed out several Citronella froglets with more on the way.
Update September 15, 2007 - Citronella production has been booming and we have produced upwards of close to 50 froglets from our pair. Breeding has gone well with both the Powder Blue and Dwarf Cobalt forms and we have a number of froglets from each type. Addition of a male Patricia from Robb Melancon (obtained at the May 2007 IAD meeting) has resulted in more effective breeding with one of our Nabors Patricia females. Finally we obtained two Yellowback tincs from Tim McRae at Midwest Frog Fest. So far they both appear to be female so we may need to obtain males for them.
Last updated Seotember 15, 2007