Defining Characteristics:

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

Name: Ranitomeya amazonica ‘Red’. Formerly known as Dendrobates ventrimaculatus, this frog is commonly known as the Amazonian Poison Dart Frog. Recent taxonomic revisions have labeled this species as Ranitomeya amazonica. The species name refers to its spotted underside.

Recommended Vivarium Size & Setup: A 10 gallon aquarium is suitable for 2-3 Ranitomeya amazonica, but Josh's Frogs recommends a 20H or 18x18x18 glass terrarium for 1-3 frogs. ABG mix or Josh's Frogs Dart Frog BioBedding in conjunction with our other bioactive layers (false bottom, substrate barrier, sphagnum moss and leaf litter) are great substrate options for your dart frog setup! Both of these mixes support microfauna populations, which help break down waste and mold within the tank.

Want to spice up your enclosure with live plants? Our experts have curated kits of easy-to-care-for and SAFE plants for your dart frogs. Check them out here!

Not sure how to set up a vivarium? Check out this video: Dart Frog Vivarium Set Up - Start to Finish

Temperature (°F): They can tolerate a temperature range of 65 to 80°F, but prefer temperatures in the low to mid 70s. We've found our Amazonica are more active and breed better in the mid-high 70s. Temperatures over 85 are dangerous.

Measure temps with a digital thermometer.

Humidity: Like most poison dart frogs, amazonica 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.

Measure humidity with a digital hygrometer.

Size: Adult female and male R. amazonica are similar in length, measuring around 3/4 of an inch.

All of the Ranitomeya amazonica 'Red' froglets Josh's Frogs sells are well started juveniles, and measure approximately 1/2 an inch long.  R. amazonica ‘Red’ appear to be slightly larger than ‘Iquitos’ or ‘Arena Blanca’.

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

Feeding: Like most poison dart frogs, amazonica 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 dwarf white 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 blog: Feeding Dart Frogs: What, How Often, and How Much?

Sexing: Ranitomeya amazonica ‘Red’ are fairly easy to sex as adults. Females are much wider and more pear shaped than males, as they lay eggs on a weekly basis. Females will often be slightly longer than males, as well. 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 read this blog: How to Visually Sex Dart Frogs Part II

Color/Pattern: Ranitomeya amazonica ‘Red’ are fairly consistent in color and pattern. Donning a red 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 amazonica 'Red' 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 amazonica 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 together - for the health of your pets, please avoid mixing. 

Breeding: Amazonica 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 under water (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 eggs if left in with the adults!

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

For more information on breeding and raising poison dart frogs, please read our blog: 5 Tips for Breeding Dart Frogs

Natural Range: Ranitomeya amazonica is a lowland species, inhabiting the Amazonian Drainage Basin in Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and French Guiana.

History in the Hobby: Amazonica 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, amazonica have long been regarded as one of the best beginner thumbnail dart frogs.

Links of Interest:

• Ranitomeya amazonica on the IUCN website
• Josh's Frogs Care Sheet for Ranitomeya