Defining Characteristics: 

• Great Beginner Frog
• Bright Blue Coloration
• Easy to Breed
• Moderately Loud Call
• Great in Groups
• Nocturnal

Name: Belonging to the family Hyperoliidae, the Blue Back Reed Frog is scientifically known as Heterixalus madagascarensis. Sometimes referred to Spotted Reed Frogs or simply 'Blue Backs'.

Recommended Vivarium Size: A 10 gallon aquarium is suitable for 2-4 Blue Back Reed Frogs, but Josh's Frogs recommends a 20H or 18x18x18 Exo Terra Glass Terrarium, as it will allow for easier cleaning. Not sure how to set up a reed frog enclosure? Please watch our video on How to Set Up a Terrarium for Reed Frogs.

Want to spice up your enclosure with live plants? Our experts have curated a kit of easy-to-care-for and SAFE plants for your reed frogs. Check it out here!

Temperature: They can tolerate a temperature range of 65 F to 85 F, but prefer temperatures in the mid 70s. Temperatures over 90F are dangerous. A low wattage basking spot, with a temperature of 85-90F, will be utilized but is not absolutely needed.

Humidity: Like most frogs, reed frogs prefer a humidity range of 70 – 100%, but can tolerate humidity down to 50% for short periods of time if the frogs have access to water. Low humidity levels, especially without access to water, can quickly be fatal. Blue Back Reed Frogs occur in the marginal areas between water and land, referred to as the riparian zone. As such, they require high humidity paired with substantial ventilation. 

Size: Adult female reed frogs are larger, measuring in at approximately 1.5 inches. Male Heterixalus madagascarensis are a bit smaller, averaging about 1 inch at maturity. All of the Blue Back Reed Frog froglets Josh's Frogs sells are well started juveniles, and measure approximately 3/4” long.

Age: Heterixalus madagascarensis is capable of living over 5 years in captivity under ideal conditions, although a lifespan of 2-3 years is more common. Active breeding shortens expected lifespan down to 1-2 years. All reed frogs for sale at Josh's Frogs are well started juveniles, and are 2-3 months old.

Feeding: At Josh's Frogs, we feed our reed frogs dusted crickets. At 3/4", juvenile reed frogs can easily take 1/8" crickets, and 1/4" crickets as adults. Make sure to dust all prey items with a quality vitamin/mineral supplement. We place the crickets in floating food bowls in the reed frog habitat, to preven crickets from drowning and fouling the water. To learn more about feeding reed frogs, please watch our video on How to Feed Reed Frogs.

Sexing: Heterixalus madagascarensis is not sexable until 6-8 months of age. Male reed frogs tend to be smaller than females, which often appear both longer and wider. Females will also develop visible eggs on each side of their bellies and males develop a prominent gular disk on their throats.  Josh's Frogs sells 2-3 month old juveniles that are not sexable unless otherwise noted.

Color/Pattern: A very variable reed frog, all Blue Back Reed Frogs are primarily a light blue coloration. The amount of black, white, and yellow spots can vary widely among individuals. Spots can be large in some individual reed frogs, leading to an almost netted appearance, while many adults lack spots completely. Males are generally a pale yellow/brown color with black spots. Adult Blue Back Reed Frogs tend to have orange feet. Please keep in mind that juvenile reed frogs sometimes take a few months to develop their adult coloration, and may appear cream or brown colored at first. At night, reed frogs may appear pale in color when they are active.

Social Behavior: These frogs do well housed in groups their entire life, as long as enough space is provided. Josh's Frogs recommends purchasing multiple frogs if you are interested in breeding them – this greatly increases the chances of getting a pair. Please refer to the chart below to see your chances of getting at least one male and one female out of a group. We recommend purchasing at least 4-5 reed frogs at a time. 

Breeding: Reed frogs are very easy to breed - just house a male and a female together! When housed in a proper environment, Blue Back Reed Frogs are very prolific, laying clutches of 50-200 eggs every 2-3 weeks. Eggs are generally laid right above or below the water's surface, and quickly develop into very small, delicate tadpoles. For more information on how to take care of reed frog eggs and tadpoles, please watch our videos on How to Care For Reed Frog Eggs, and How to Care For Reed Frog Tadpoles.

Natural Range: Heterixalus madagascarensis are native to Madagascar. They inhabit riparian zones, where a body of water (mainly a pond) meets the land. Among emergent vegetation, reed frogs spend the day sleeping on the underside of leaves. With their limited range and the seemingly imminent destruction of their native habitat, maintaining this species in captivity should be of the utmost importance.

History in the Hobby: Blue Back reed frogs have been imported directly from Madagascar several times over the past decade. These imports are the foundation of the captive population of Heterixalus madagascarensis in the United States today.

Links of Interest:

Wikipedia - article on the current habitat of Blue Back Reed Frogs in Madagascar

IUCN Redlist - information on the current status of Heterixalus madagascarensis in the wild

Breeding Blue Back Reed Frogs by Devin Edmonds in Reptiles Magazine

AmphibiaWeb article on Blue Back Reed Frogs

Still not sure if Blue Back Reed Frogs from Josh's Frogs are the right poison dart frog for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!