Instructions
Set up a vivarium, which is an enclosed area for keeping and raising animals. The frogs require large vivariums, giving them plenty of room to move and hide. Purchase the biggest vivarium you can, although as a general rule, the frogs need a minimum of 5 gallons per frog.
Make a fake bottom. The most common way to achieve this is to cut egg cartons down to the correct size, and place these just above the floor of the tank. Attach them to the wall using PVC fittings.
Add substrate. You can use orchard bark mixed with coir, or sphagnum moss. There are also various types of forest flooring designed for frogs, however natural cork or moss is preferable.
Decorate the tank. Many vivariums come with backgrounds, and these block some light and provide texture and hiding places. Add cypress driftwood and grape wood pieces for the frogs to jump on and hide in. Add live plants, which will help maintain an ecosystem while allowing the frogs to play.
Connect a thermostat, with thermometer and humidity gauge. Dart frogs like to be kept at around 70 to 80 degrees. The humidity should be kept around 80 percent. Most vivariums will require daily misting to keep the humidity up, although some may need more or less spraying.
Feed the frogs once a day, at the same time of the day each day if possible. Each frog should eat a minimum of half a teaspoon of fruit fly culture per day. Continuously offer food for five minutes, and allow the frog to eat as much as it desires. After five minutes, do not feed anymore. As the frogs grows up, their appetite will increase.
Provide breeding spots from when the frogs have matured, around 1 year old. The most effective breeding spots are halved coconut shells with an entrance cut into the shell. Place a small plate, such as a petri dish, under the coconut shell. This will help you to remove the eggs when breeding has taken place.
Store the eggs inside a plastic container, ideally one that you can see through so you can check on the eggs without disturbing them.
Spray the eggs to keep them damp, but not wet. Do not allow water to collect around the eggs.
Set up another plastic container that is three-fourths full of water. When the eggs hatch into tadpoles, transfer them to this container.
Decorate the tadpoles' container with small rocks and plant cuttings. This will provide places for the tadpoles to hide, and to sit when they begin to turn into frogs.
Feed the tadpoles with tadpole food, or fish flakes. Crush the flakes between your fingers to make them small enough to eat, and sprinkle it the surface of the water. Check the packaging for the recommended amount per tadpole.
Conduct a partial water change every other day. Filter off water in a cup, and check it carefully for tadpoles. Remove around one-fourth of the water, and replace approximately the same amount.
Observe the tadpoles daily. Exchange them into an adult vivarium when they grow back legs. You may also notice their tails disappearing. Check the tadpoles often, as frogs can drown.
How to Raise & Breed Dart Frogs
Dart frogs are a colorful species and are quite easy to care for. This makes them a popular pet, kept both by established breeders and herpetology experts and new herpetology owners who want a relatively easy starter animal. Dart frogs are generally quite easy to breed, providing their needs are being met, and watching the whole life cycle is both fascinating and educational.