Defining Characteristics:

• Great beginner thumbnail
• Bright yellow and black coloration
• Shy personality
• Easy to breed
• Quiet call
• Small
• Great in groups

Name: Ranitomeya variabilis 'French Guiana Yellow'. Formerly known as Ranitomeya ventrimaculata, this frog is commonly known as the Amazonian Poison Dart Frog, and simply as 'vents' in the hobby. Recent taxonomic revisions have labeled this species as Ranitomeya variabilis. The species name refers to its spotted underside.

Recommended Vivarium Size: A 10 gallon aquarium is suitable for 2-3 Ranitomeya variabilis, but Josh's Frogs recommends a 20H or 18x18x18 Vivarium for 1-3 frogs. Not sure how to set up a vivarium? Please watch our video on How to Set Up a Vivarium.

Temperature: These frogs can tolerate a temperature range of 65 F to 80 F, but prefer temperatures in the low to mid 70s. Temperatures over 85F are dangerous.

Humidity: Like most poison dart frogs, Vents prefer a humidity range of 80 – 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.

Size: Adult female and male R. variabilis are similar in length, measuring in at around an inch. All of the Ranitomeya variabilis 'French Guiana Yellow' froglets Josh's Frogs sells are well-started juveniles, and measure approximately 1/2” long.

Age: Ranitomeya variabilis 'French Guiana Yellow' is capable of living well over 10 years in captivity under ideal conditions, although a lifespan of 5-8 years is more common. All vents for sale at Josh's Frogs are well-started juveniles, and are 2-3 months old.

Feeding: Like most poison dart frogs, vents prefer smaller foods. All of the thumbnail dart frogs sold by Josh's Frogs will readily eat Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. All ages of poison dart frogs will enjoy springtails and isopods. All feeder insects should be dusted with a vitamin/mineral supplement.

For more information on what poison dart frogs can eat, please visit our How-To Guide on Feeding Poison Dart Frogs.

Sexing: Ranitomeya variabilis 'French Guiana Yellow' are fairly easy to sex as adults. Females are much wider than males, as they lay eggs on a weekly basis. Josh's Frogs sells 2-3 month old juveniles that are not sexable unless otherwise noted.

For more information on sexing poison dart frogs, please visit our How-To Guide on Sexing Poison Dart Frogs.

Color/Pattern: They are fairly consistent in color and pattern. Exhibiting a yellow and black striped body and blue-gray legs, they are a striking little thumbnail dart frog! Josh's Frogs does not recommend, support, or endorse line breeding as we believe this leads to weaker captive animals and nature has done a wonderful job of creating an amazing variation in color and pattern of poison dart frogs already.

Social Behavior: Ranitomeya variabilis 'French Guiana Yellow' do well housed in groups their entire life as long as enough space is provided. Josh's Frogs recommends approximately 5 gallons per frog. As they reach sexual maturity at 5-8 months of age, the social dynamic in a group of vents may change and females may eat each other's eggs, although most will even breed together in the same film canister! 

Josh's Frogs strongly recommends against housing different species/morphs of dart frogs - for the health of your pets, please avoid mixing!

Josh's Frogs recommends purchasing multiple frogs if you are interested in breeding them – this greatly increases the chances of getting a pair.

Breeding: Vents are one of the easiest poison dart frogs to breed. Best bred in groups, males call to attract a female to a suitable egg laying site. Then, 4-8 eggs are laid underwater (often in a film canister or a bromeliad). The eggs hatch into tadpoles, which then take 60-80 days to complete metamorphosis into miniature versions of the adults.

Tadpoles will feed on dead fruit flies, the standard frog and tadpole bites/sera micron fare, and even unfertilized eggs if left in with the adults! For more information on breeding and raising poison dart frogs, please visit our How-To Guide on Breeding Poison Dart Frogs.

Natural Range: Ranitomeya variabilis is a lowland species, inhabiting the Amazonian Drainage Basin in Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and French Guiana. This variety hails from the latter country.

History in the Hobby: Vents have long been a mainstay in the dart frog hobby. Originally considered Adelphobates quinquevittatus, this frog was imported along with other thumbnails under the same name. Easy to breed and entertaining to watch, vents have long been regarded as one of the best beginner thumbnail dart frogs. 

Links of Interest:
Ranitomeya ventrimaculata on the IUCN website

Josh's Frogs Care Sheet for Vents

Still not sure if Ranitomeya variabilis 'French Guiana Yellow' from Josh's Frogs are the right poison dart frog for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!