[Ookami]

Hi there, I have a question regarding Ranitomeya species.

Maintaining currently Dendrobates tinctorius New river and Ranitomeya sirensis panguana, I'm now considering a third specie, now that I have them for quite a few months, feel a bit more comfortable and experienced in maintaining dart frogs. My Ranitomeya sirensis panguana started laying eggs.
I'm very much interested in R. vanzolinii, R. imitator varadero, R. sirensis Highland and R. fantastica Alto caynarachi, among others.

Looking up info, did I understand it right, that R. imitator would probably be the boldest, R. sirensis and vanzolinii just after, and R. fantastica shy (or even very shy ?).
And, except for R. imitator, all others can be kept in groups ?
How much more delicate than the other three is Ranitomeya fantastica Alto caynarachi ?

As said, I only maintain so far two species of dart frogs, and still quite new to the hobby, so maybe I should keep my fingers away from species which need a lot more experience.

And here little pictures of one of the little thumbies.

Thanks in advance

 

[bulbophyllum]

I hate frogs that hide all the time. I would never keep a species that I hardly ever see. But, that is just me. I think imitators are one of the best species of Ranitomeya. They tend to be bold, pick what ever color you want, and they egg feed.

 

[Chris S]

Imitators are a great choice - but they aren't always bold. I've found some of the different locales are not as bold, at least in my experience. My Varadero's are still in quanrantine, so I can't really see how bold they are - but some of my boldest frogs are imitators (Yurimiguas/Chazuta and Banded are probably my boldest, followed by CV's and Tarapoto).

 

[JasonE]

Variabilis southern are the boldest ranitomeya I've worked with. My vanzolini would be second. I've never worked with imitators. I tend to stay away from frogs that can't be kept in groups.

 

[hansgruber7]

I love my Varaderos and they are fairly bold given the right set-up. Go for Varaderos!

 

[bulbophyllum]

I love my Varaderos and they are fairly bold given the right set-up. Go for Varaderos!

Yeah I really like mine. They are a very striking frog. Mine are almost always out even when they are not breeding.

 

[cjwhitsett]

FWIW, I have a pair of Varadero imitators and a trio of Southern variabilis set up in nearly identical enclosures and see my variabilis far more often than my imis. Maybe there is some factor in the imi tank I’m overlooking that discourages bold behavior? If so I certainly can’t identify it. Of course, my experience is strictly my own and I only share this to emphasize that mileage can vary quite a bit, sometimes inexplicably. All that said, based on my personal experience I would recommend southern variabilis if they interest you any (I know you didn’t list them in your original post). I see my trio every day and typically can see two out and about at any point when I check the tank

 

[Ookami]

Thanks for everyone's reply, much appreciated !

Taking them into account and two local breeders' availability, I actually went for the Ranitomeya fantastica Alto caynarachi, it seems to be a group of 2.2.
According to him, they're four months morphed out of water but they're so big in comparison to the size of my Ranitomeya sirensis panguana when they were same age that the grow-out tank is way too small for them, therefore they will soon be moving to the final terrarium.

They're so NOT shy, I see them very often and can easily count all four almost every time. I have to constantly pay attention one either is not on the door or doesn't jump out when I open the vivarium for feeding time or misting 😅.
It never happened with my Ranitomeya sirensis panguana (always jumping for cover when I was opening the door) .

Here the pictures when they arrived two weeks ago.