After bringing it up in chat, this was one of the species mentioned that people wanted to see a care sheet for... so here is my take.
Dendrobates fantasticus:
(1) AMNH Amphibian Species of the World, 4.0, an Online Reference
(2) Dendrobates.org Dendrobates fantasticus species profile
(3) Herpetologic INIBICO imports
(4) Tor Linbo's Natures-web.org D. fantasticus species profile
Contributers:
Corey Wickliffe (KeroKero) content
Mark Pepper (UE photos and information)
Kyle Kopp (kyle1745) photos
If you would like to see any updates or modifications to this care sheet please let myself or a moderator know.
Last Updated: 6/25/2007
Dendrobates fantasticus:
- Difficulty: Intermediate ('Yellow') to Advanced ("Nominal" forms)
Proposed taxonomic change to Ranitomeya fantastica (Grant, Frost, Caldwell, Gagliardo, Haddad, Kok, Means, Noonan, Schargel, and Wheeler, 2006)
[/*:m:1y0xfrcq] - Location & History: "Known only from the type locality (Loreto, Peru)" (1) but larger described ranged given in the Dendrobates.org D. fantasticus species profile as "throughout northern San Martin and southern Loreto departments in north-central Peru"(2). Described Boulenger, 1884 (1).
[/*:m:1y0xfrcq] - Descriptions & Behavior: These frogs belong to the Thumbnail species group (proposed genus Ranitomeya) and within the Thumbnail group are most closely related to D. uakarii, D. reticulatus, and an undescribed species from Brazil (2).
Originally only represented by one morph in the hobby, recent new additions include not just another population imported from Europe ('Yellow'), but also new importation of these species through farm-raised imports by both INIBICO and Understory Enterprises. How these new populations, which resemble lines already present in the hobby, are related is unknown due to lack of site locality information in the older lines, and are thus described separately here. Populations can vary greatly in their preferences as populations of this species are found to range from arboreal to terrestrial with breeding plant preferences just as broad, so specific morph information is important. These are also one of the largest thumbnails in the hobby, with properly raised 'Standard' females being around an inch in length!
Note: These morphs represent unique subpopulations in the wild that share general physical characterisitics, and for that reason different morphs should not be mixed.
"Nominal" populations: These are the "classic" fantasticus, showing orange heads with butterfly black marking between the eyes and spider webbing of lighter coloration (gold, blue, white depending on line and animal) over solid black bodies. These frogs typically are extremely fast, can jump significant distances, and are extremely skittish, so handling these delicate animals is extremely hard, and best for more experienced keepers (that, along with some breeding difficultings and feeding difficulties due to small size gave these forms the 'Advanced' experience ranking). In captivity they prefer vertically oriented tanks with clumps of bromeliads (preferred over single, lone bromeliads) to breed and hide in. A highly skittish to flat out shy form, these animals can actually be rather bold when courting.
'Standard' Old Line - These frogs are from Peruvian importations from a number of years ago, and their relationship with the current Peruvian imports is unknown.
'Cainarachi' (Understory Enterprises) - Imported in 2005/2006 by Mark Pepper. (Removed info from site - unknown if these are the same as the INIBICO 'Nominant')
'Nominant' (INIBICO) - Imported in 2005/2006 by the INIBICO project. Found in the wild "restricted to the Cainarachi valley in northern San Martin between elevations of 1,300 – 3,500 feet". This population is arboreal and breeds in bromeliads (3).
Other Populations In Captivity:
'Yellow' - Very much the opposite of its "Nominant" form relatives, this recent introduction to the USA hobby via Europe is terrestrial, very bold, and is a much easier animal to handle (thus the lower difficultly despite its smaller captive US population). 'Banded' fants have also been imported from Europe, but turned out to be their mimic - D. imitator intermedius. Due to lack of locality data, very little of their habit is known other than basics, but some good information on the form is given on Dendrobates.org (2). Personality wise these animals are very similar to D. imitator.
New importations of farm raised animals from Peru are being brought in through the INIBICO and Understory Enterprises (UE) projects, and these animals with known localities should be kept separate from even identical seeming animals already present in the hobby, as its likely they are from different populations. With many of the new imports these codes will become increasingly important. We owe the hobby to be responsible and keep these morphs true. Without this, sustating these animals in the hobby will be virtually impossible.
For an explanation of the UE codes used below please click here!
DF-BNC 'Banded UE'- While most European "banded" fantasticus have actually turned out to be banded intermedius, this importation by Understory Enterprises represents the true banded fantasticus from the Huallaga region of Peru. The relation to the 'Yellow' fantasticus already in the hobby is unknown, but likely the same, or similar, populations.Read more at the UE profile...
DF-CLR7 'Lowland UE' - A highly variable population of this species, and new to the hobby. "Somewhat shy, these frogs will become bolder provided with a spacious vivarium with plenty of layered foliage and branches."Read more at the UE profile...
DF-BT 'White Banded Fantasticus UE' - "This particular fantasticus is terrestrial in nature, and displays a stunning degree of variation. About 1 in 10 frogs from this population has the white banding replaced by yellow, resulting in a frog very similar to the “banded” fantasticus. These apparently two different looking types appear to interbreed freely in the wild, and the yellow ones appear to be part of the standard degree of variation present in this population." Read more at the UE profile...
[/*:m:1y0xfrcq] - General Care:
Feeding wise these frogs show a great range in foods they readily eat, and more specific diets can be tailored to the forms to match their terrestrial to arboreal habits, FFs making a great staple. Froglets will readily take small melanogaster out of the water, and springtails are not necessary but appreciated.
The "Nominant" forms will do well in most heavily planted tanks, but will rarely be on the floor of the tank. Taller tanks are appreciated, especially larger tanks that can hold a good amount of their preferred bromeliads. Remember - these tanks need to have depth as well as height - taller or vertically oriented tanks often give up depth (measurement of the tank from the front to back) for height. Stick to tanks with a ratio away from their depth being half the height and width of the tank... for example 20 gallon cubes, hexogonal tanks, and 20g high tanks set vertically are preferred to a 20 extra tall. A pair will do well in a 15/16/18 gallon tank, groups preferably in 30+ gallon tanks and larger.
With the 'Yellow' form, floorspace is more important than height of the tank, so more horizontally oriented tanks such as cubes, 20 high, etc are preferred. This form also seems to appreciate leaf litter over moss, which gives them more hiding spots and hunting grounds. In captivity their set up should be similar to their terrestrial relative, D. reticulatus. Film canisters are used, but should be at ground level or only slightly above.
[/*:m:1y0xfrcq] - Breeding & tadpole Care:
While most often bred in pairs, these frogs also do well in equal ratio groups (4) of 5 or more frogs in a large tank - this is especially nice to see the full range of behaviors in these frogs. Quads and trios may work on occasion, but this is generally to be avoided if possible. All the fant forms take advantage of film canisters in captivity, and the "Nominant" forms are also one of the few PDFs to actually use bromeliads for breeding preferably in the wild (2), and clumps of bromeliads seem to be preferred.
The call of these frogs is an extremely soft buzz, and in courting animals the call is often not even heard even within close proximity to the frog (within one to two feet when working in a tank where a pair was courting - the calling male could be seen but not heard!). Courting is typical of the Dendrobates genus, with the female following and stroking the back of the calling male, who leads her to a bower where they breed.
Eggs are often laid on leaves which are wrapped around them ("Nominant") though both heavily overlapped leaves and horizontally oriented film canisters are also used. Small clutches of 1-3 eggs is typical (4)
Eggs and tadpoles will be cared for by the parents if left in the tank with them ("Nominants" can be very good at hiding clutches) and don't have to be removed. "Nominants" will transport their tadpoles to available bromeliad axils or water filled film canisters, where they feed mainly on detritus that falls in and are supplemented by feeder eggs from Mom. The 'Yellow' form likely prefers water closer to the ground, like that of water filled "jungle pods" or small water bowls, but may also deposit in water filled film canisters. All water bodies should be flushed minimum once a week with fresh water - the misting system will not do this for you and can be done by a small watering can or mister set on a heavier "rain" setting.
Tadpole care, if removed from the care of the parents, is typical of the Thumbnail group. These tadpoles should be raised separately due to their cannibalistic tendencies, and can be raised in rather small bodies of water, such as shot glasses or votive candle holders, but other larger containers can be used as well. The tadpoles are omnivorous detrivores (detrituvores?), feeding on a wide range of food including bacterial slime, leaf matter, drowned insects, unlucky tadpoles deposited in their water body, and of course, feeder eggs. In captivity algae and plant based diets should be avioded, and a base diet of Tadpole Bites or good quality fish flakes is a good staple diet.
When fed correctly (only one or two tadpole bites, or a fish flake the size of the body of the tadpole) the food should be consumed within an hour of feeding and will not foul the water, reducing needed water changes. If water changes are done, do NOT wipe off the slimy film on the inside walls of the container, this is fed on by the tadpole, and this film is the preferred growth to algae. Rather than full water changes, my (KeroKero) method is to "flush" the water of the containers by overflowing it much like I do with bromeliads and film canisters in the tanks. This keeps the water fresh for the tadpoles (simulating how rain storms would flush them out on a regular basis). Detritus on the bottom (leaf parts, tadpole poo) generally will not get rinsed out due to their weight, but that's ok - as long as its not uneaten food which spoils the water (and will need a full water change which is best avoided, the "flushing method" is much preferable).
Coloration in these animals develops relatively early, with the "crown" marking clearly visible in animals that do not have elbows clearly defined. By the time the elbows are clearly seen (showing the nearly full development of the forelimbs under the skin and a few days/weeks until they pop) the spider webbing markings are visible on the back and hind limbs, and is visible on the forelimbs through the thin skin covering them. Photos of this can be seen on the D. fantasticus development page on Natures-Web.org(4).
Froglets morph nearly 1/2 the size of the parents, and are generally very hardy. With the more skittish "Nominant" morphs I recommend letting the froglets morph out into the froglet tank, to avoid having to transfer them from morphing tank to froglet tank. The 'Yellows' on the other hand are rather laid back, much like D. i. intermedius, and can be morphed and cared for in the same way. As mentioned before, they take melanogaster, especially wingless and golden delicious forms, right out of the water with no need for springtails (although the yellows seem to really enjoy them). They mature in 6-10 months of age.
[/*:m:1y0xfrcq] - Pictures:
'Standard':
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'Yellow':
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Photo summited by Corey Wickliffe (c) 2006
DF-BNC 'Banded UE'
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Photo summited by Understory Enterprises (c) 2006
DF-CLR7 'Lowland UE'
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Photo summited by Understory Enterprises (c) 2006
DF-BT 'White Banded Fantasticus UE'
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Photo summited by Understory Enterprises (c) 2006
[/*:m:1y0xfrcq]
(1) AMNH Amphibian Species of the World, 4.0, an Online Reference
(2) Dendrobates.org Dendrobates fantasticus species profile
(3) Herpetologic INIBICO imports
(4) Tor Linbo's Natures-web.org D. fantasticus species profile
Contributers:
Corey Wickliffe (KeroKero) content
Mark Pepper (UE photos and information)
Kyle Kopp (kyle1745) photos
If you would like to see any updates or modifications to this care sheet please let myself or a moderator know.
Last Updated: 6/25/2007
