The Incredible Stubfoot Toad!

Defining Characteristics:

• Light yellow with black spots
• Diurnal
• Small
• Intermediate to keep 

Name: The Rio Pescado Stubfoot Toad or Atelopus balios is part of one of the most endangered genera of frogs in the world. Another common name for this group of frogs is Harlequin Toads. Being a true toad species, they are in the Bufonidae family. 

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: Minimum tank enclosure should be a 20 gallon aquarium or an 18x18x18 front-opening enclosure. Substrate should be one consisting mostly of coco fiber or peat. Josh’s Frogs Tropical BioBedding can be provided if bioactive is desired. 

A shallow water dish should be provided for hydration purposes. Leaf litter must be provided for adequate spaces to hide along with cork tubes or flats. These toads are fairly good climbers so branches and live plants are appreciated. Tropicals would be ideal for the required temperature and humidity levels.

Temperature (°F): Atelopus balios are from the tropics and appreciate a warmer temperature from 70-80°, with the higher temperatures occurring during the day with a drop into the lower 70s at night. Monitor temperatures with a digital thermometer.

Humidity: Humidity levels for these stubfoot toads should be within 60 and 80%. Monitor humidity levels with a digital hygrometer.

Size: Atelopus balios are a small and slender toad species. Adult males are around 1.25 inches and females are a little bigger at 1.4 inches. At time of sale, Atelopus balios will be at least 3/4 of an inch long.

Age: Reports of these frogs living up to 10 years in the wild are not unheard of, but more often it is closer to 5. This species has not been kept in captivity for long enough to have a true maximum life expectancy, but it stands to reason that 10 years is not out of the question. 

At the time of sale Atelopus balios from Josh’s frogs will be at least 8 weeks out of the water. 

Feeding: The Rio Pescado Stubfoot toads can eat 1/8 inch banded crickets and hydei fruit flies. For young froglets pinhead crickets, melanogaster fruit flies, and springtails can be regularly offered. As with other toad species Vitamin A is very important and should be offered as a supplement on feeders at least once a month. 

Sexing: Atelopus balios have the typical sexual dimorphism that is seen in frogs and toads where the female is both larger and more rotund. Males of this species can be deceptively skinny in comparison. 

Color/Pattern: Atelopus balios can range from bright yellow to light green in coloration and will have a unique pattern of black spots over their dorsum.Their underside is white in the center and yellow on the edges with distinct red or orange hands, feet, and vent areas.

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 frogs already.

Social Behavior: Males and females should be kept separately as males are some of the most tenacious amplexus seekers in the frog and toad world. Males will amplex a female to an almost unhealthy degree and forgo eating for periods of time that exceed what is healthy for them. All male or all female groups are okay. 

Breeding: Breeding for Atelopus balios can happen year-round and seems to be dependent on the receptivity of the females, as males are ready to breed most of the time. Atelopus live near and breed in streams where tadpoles take between 80 and 120 days to complete metamorphosis. This species lives in very clear and nutrient-poor streams so the utilization of “tadpole tea” is not recommended. Tadpoles primarily eat algae off of stones which can be tedious to replicate in captivity.

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

Natural Range: Atelopus balios are endemic to the provinces of Azuay, Cañar, and Guayas in Ecuador.

History in the Hobby: The genus of Atelopus has not been represented well in the hobby until very recently. Many of the captive bred options are still coming from outside of the US.

Links of Interest: 

• Amphibiaweb
• Citizen conservation
• Wikipedia

Still not sure if a Rio Pescado stubfoot toad from Josh's Frogs are the right pet frog for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!