Category: Amphibian Basic Care Guides

Care level: Intermediate

Temperament: generally aggressive and eager to eat, not handleable but very interactive through feeding

Minimum Enclosure Size: 36″x18″x18” (90x45x45cm) for females; 4’x2’x2’ (1.2×0.6×0.6m) for males 

Warm Side Temp (ambient): ~90°F

Cool Side Temp: ~75°F

Nighttime/minimum temp: 68°F

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 18+” (45+cm) with no mesh or at 12+” (30+cm) over typical mesh)

Humidity: ~60%

Diet: carnivorous/insectivorous; primarily invertebrate feeders with some vertebrate feeders 

Size: 5-10” (12-25cm); males much larger than females

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

Dubia.com Guide – Pixie Frog

ADW – Pyxicephalus adspersus

Care level: Beginner

Temperament: outgoing and interactive; handling should be kept to a minimum

Minimum Enclosure Size: 20 gallon long (30x12x12” (75x30x30cm)) for 1, 40 gallon breeder (36x18x18” (90x45x45cm)) for 2, add approximately 10 gallons (40L) for each additional toad

Cohabitation: generally can cohab if each individual is of similar size, but can be kept alone

Ideal Temp: 70-75°F (21-24°C)

Night Temp: ~65°F (18°C)

Safe Temp Range: 60-85°F (15-29°C)

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 18+” (45+cm) with no mesh or at 12+” (30+cm) over typical mesh)

Humidity: 50-60%, but can tolerate higher and lower

Diet: insectivorous

Size: 1.5-4” (4-10cm); with exception of Anaxyrus quercicus 0.8-1.5” (2-3.5cm)

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Species Specific Details + Other Resources

Anaxyrus americanus americanus (eastern American toad)

• Wild Distribution – wide variety of habitats throughout the eastern half of the United States (NE Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, N Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, E Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, N Mississippi, North Carolina, E North Dakota, E Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, NW South Carolina, E South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia), Canada (SE Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec)
• Size – males 2-3.3” (54-85mm), females 2-4.3” (56-110mm)
• Other Resources – ADW – Anaxyrus americanus ssp., AmphibiaWeb – Anaxyrus americanus ssp.

Anaxyrus americanus charlesmithi (dwarf American toad)

• Wild Distribution – wide variety of habitats through central United States (Oklahoma, Arkansas, SE Kansas, Missouri, S Illinois, SW Indiana, W Kentucky, W Tennessee)
• Size – approximately 2-2.3″ (50-60mm)
• Other Resources – ADW – Anaxyrus americanus ssp., AmphibiaWeb – Anaxyrus americanus ssp.

Anaxyrus cognatus (Great Plains toad)

• Wild Distribution – lower, damper areas of grasslands in central United States (Arizona, SE California, Colorado, W Iowa, Kansas, W Minnesota, W Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, S Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, NE Wyoming), north/central Mexico, and small parts of southern Canada
• Size – males 1.75-4” (45-100mm), females 2-4.5” (50-115mm)
• Other Resources – ADW – Anaxyrus cognatus, AmphibiaWeb – Anaxyrus cognatus, Hopp’in Help – Great Plains Toad Care

Anaxyrus fowleri (Fowler’s toad)

• Wild Distribution – coastal, sandy regions near lakes and river valleys throughout eastern/central United States (Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia), southern Canada (Ontario)
• Size – males 1.5-3” (40-75mm), females 2-3.5” (55-85mm)
• Other Resources – ADW – Anaxyrus fowleri, AmphibiaWeb – Anaxyrus fowleri

Anaxyrus houstonensis (Houston toad)

• Wild Distribution – areas with sandy soil in/near pine forests throughout a small range in SE Texas
• Size – males 1.75-2.75” (45-70mm), females 2-3” (50-80mm)
• Other Resources – ADW – Anaxyrus houstonensis, AmphibiaWeb – Anaxyrus houstonensis

Anaxyrus quercicus (oak toad)

• Wild Distribution – moist, grassy areas near pine/oak savannahs with sandy soil throughout southeast United States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia)
• Size – males .75-1” (20-26mm), females 1-1.2” (24-30mm)
• Other Resources – ADW – Anaxyrus quercicus, AmphibiaWeb – Anaxyrus quercicus

Anaxyrus speciosus (Texas toad)

• Wild Distribution – grasslands, open woodlands or desert areas near irrigation ditches/water tanks throughout the western part of Texas, SE New Mexico, W Oklahoma and north/central Mexico
• Size – males 2-3” (52-78mm), females 2-3.5” (54-91mm)
• Other Resources – ADW – Anaxyrus speciosus, AmphibiaWeb – Anaxyrus speciosus, Hopp’in Help – Texas Toad Care

Anaxyrus terrestris (southern toad)

• Wild Distribution – areas with sandy soil throughout the southeastern United States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, SE Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, SE Virginia)
• Size – males 1.5-3.25” (42-82mm), females 1.75-3.5” (44-92mm)
• Other Resources – ADW – Anaxyrus terrestris, AmphibiaWeb – Anaxyrus terrestris, Hopp’in Help – Southern Toad Care

Common Hobby Species: Hymenochris boettgeri and Hymenochris curtipis (less common)

Care level: Beginner

Temperament: can be quite timid but outgoing at feeding times

Minimum Enclosure Size: 10 gallons (40L) for up to 3, larger for larger groups

Water Temp: 75-82°F (24-28°C)

Lighting: No UVB needed as they are fully aquatic, but they will benefit from a day/night cycle with a light

Diet: aquatic invertebrate feeders such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, blackworms etc. as well as fish/frog pellets

Size: up to 3” (7.5cm)

Additional Notes: many resources will advise housing dwarf frogs with fish, but this is risky to all animals involved and generally not advise. Frogs will eat any fish they can and fish will often take food from the frogs as they are faster.

Wild Distribution: native to central Africa (Cameroon, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the, Gabon, Nigeria) and introduced in Florida, US

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

Aquarium Source – African Dwarf Frog Care

Josh’s Frogs – African Dwarf Frog Care

Aquarium Co-Op – African Dwarf Frog Care

AmphibiaWeb – Hymenochris boettgeri

Care level: beginner

Temperament: generally quite bold and calm; handling should be kept to a minimum but they may handle handling with gloves

Minimum Enclosure Size: 18″x18″x24″ (45x45x60cm) for 1-2

Basking Spot Temp (surface): 80-85°F (27-29.5°C)

Warm Side Temp: 75-80°F (24-27°C)

Cold Side Temp: 70-75°F (21-24°C)

Nighttime/minimum temp: 65°F (18°C)

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 18+” (45+cm) with no mesh or at 12+” (30+cm) over typical mesh)

Humidity: 50-90%, with occasional spikes up to 100%

Diet: insects and other invertebrates

Size: 3-5” (7.5-12.5cm)

Wild Distribution: rainforests ranging throughout much of northern South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela)

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

Dubia.com Guide – Amazon Milk Frog

Reptiles Magazine – Amazon Milk Frog

AmphibiaWeb – Trachycephalus resinifictrix

Care level: intermediate

Temperament: generally bold and active

Minimum Enclosure Size: approximately 12”x12”x18” (30x30x45cm) minimum for 1-3

Cohabitation: does well in singles, pairs or groups

Ideal Temp: 70-75°F (21-24°C)

Night Temp: 60-65°F (15.5-18°C)

Safe Temp Range: 60-85°F (15.5-29°C)

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 18+” (45+cm) with no mesh or at 12+” (30+cm) over typical mesh)

Humidity: 80-100%

Diet: small invertebrate feeders such as fruit flies, small crickets, small roaches, rice flour beetles, bean beetles, etc.

Size: females up to .75” (2cm), males a bit smaller

Wild Distribution: undisturbed rainforests throughout central and eastern South America (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname)

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

Josh’s Frogs – Ranitomeya ventrimaculata Care

AmphibiaWeb – Ranitomeya ventrimaculata (information in Spanish, translate if needed)

Care level: intermediate

Temperament: bold and active

Minimum Enclosure Size: approximately 24″x24″x18″ (60x45x45cm) minimum for 1-3

Cohabitation: does well in singles, pairs or groups

Ideal Temp: 70-75°F (21-24°C)

Night Temp: 60-65°F (15.5-18°C)

Safe Temp Range: 60-80°F (15.5-27°C)

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 18+” (45+cm) with no mesh or at 12+” (30+cm) over typical mesh)

Humidity: 80-100%

Diet: small invertebrate feeders such as fruit flies, small crickets, small roaches, rice flour beetles, bean beetles, etc.

Size: up to 2” (5cm) and heavy bodied

Wild Distribution: tropical rainforests of northwest Colombia

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

Josh’s Frogs – Phyllobates bicolor Care

ADW – Phyllobates bicolor

AmphibiaWeb – Phyllobates bicolor

Care level: intermediate

Temperament: can be more shy when young, but generally quite bold and active after sexual maturity

Minimum Enclosure Size: approximately 18”x18”x18” (45x45x45cm) minimum for 1-3

Cohabitation: does well in singles, pairs or groups

Ideal Temp: 70-75°F (21-24°C)

Night Temp: 60-65°F (15.5-18°C)

Safe Temp Range: 60-85°F (15.5-29°C)

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 18+” (45+cm) with no mesh or at 12+” (30+cm) over typical mesh)

Humidity: 70-100%, dips down to 50% temporarily is safe with access to water

Diet: small invertebrate feeders such as fruit flies, small crickets, small roaches, rice flour beetles, bean beetles, etc.

Size: up to 1” (2.5cm)

Wild Distribution: near streams in subtropical dry forests of Ecuador and Peru

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

FrogForum – Phantasmal Dart Frog Care

AmphibiaWeb – Epipedobates anthonyi

AmphibiaWeb – Epipedobates tricolor

Care level: intermediate

Temperament: generally bold and active

Minimum Enclosure Size: 20 gallon long (30″x12″x12″ (75x30x30cm)) for 1-3 

Cohabitation: good in singles, pairs or groups but females may compete after sexual maturity if with males.

Ideal Temp: 70-80°F (21-27°C)

Night Temp: 60-65°F (15.5-18°C)

Safe Temp Range: 60-85°F (15.5-29°C)

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 18+” (45+cm) with no mesh or at 12+” (30+cm) over typical mesh)

Humidity: 70-100%, dips down to 50% temporarily is safe with access to water but should never fully dry out

Diet: small invertebrate feeders such as fruit flies, small crickets, small roaches, rice flour beetles, bean beetles, etc.

Size: females up to 1.5” (4cm) , males a bit smaller

Wild Distribution: wet lowland forests in South America (northern Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, and Venezuela)

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

The World of Frogs – Dendrobates leucomelas

ADW – Dendrobates leucomelas

AmphibiaWeb – Dendrobates leucomelas

Care level: intermediate

Temperament: very bold and active 

Minimum Enclosure Size: approximately 24″x24″x18″ (60x60x45cm) minimum for 1-3

Cohabitation: good in singles, pairs or groups

Ideal Temp: 70-75°F (21-24°C)

Night Temp: 60-65°F (15.5-18°C)

Safe Temp Range: 60-80°F (15.5-27°C)

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 18+” (45+cm) with no mesh or at 12+” (30+cm) over typical mesh)

Humidity: 80-100%

Diet: insect feeders such as crickets, roaches, black soldier fly larvae and flightless fruit flies when young; P. terribilis tend to prefer larger feeders but they should be appropriately sized

Size: up to 2” (5cm) and heavy bodied

Wild Distribution: a small section of rainforest in the western coast of the Andes in Colombia

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

The World of Frogs – Phyllobates terribilis

ADW – Phyllobates terribilis

AmphibiaWeb – Phyllobates terribilis

Care level: intermediate

Temperament: shy, but can become more bold in a well set up enclosure. Some morphs/localities are more outgoing than others 

Minimum Enclosure Size: 20 gallon long (30″x12″x12″ (75x30x30cm)) for 1-2

Cohabitation: good in singles, pairs or groups. 

Ideal Temp: 70-80°F (21-27°C)

Night Temp: 60-65°F (15.5-18°C)

Safe Temp Range: 60-85°F (15.5-29°C)

UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 18+” (45+cm) with no mesh or at 12+” (30+cm) over typical mesh)

Humidity: 70-100%, dips down to 50% temporarily is safe with access to water

Diet: small invertebrate feeders such as fruit flies, small crickets, small roaches, rice flour beetles, bean beetles, etc.

Size: size varies by morph; larger (such as ‘Costa Rican Green and Black’) may be up to 2” (5cm)

Wild Distribution: native to Central America (Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama) and introduced to Hawaii, US

(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)

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Other Resources:

The World of Frogs – Dendrobates auratus

ADW – Dendrobates auratus

AmphibiaWeb – Dendrobates auratus