Rio Madeira Poison Frog (Adelphobates quinquevittatus)

Rio Madeira Poison Frog Adelphobates quinquevittatus
Name	Rio Madeira Poison Frog
Name Lat.	Adelphobates quinquevittatus
Synonym	Dendrobates quinquevittatus
Family	Dendrobatids
Family lat.	Dendrobatidae
Order	Frogs & Toads
Order lat.	Anura
Origin	Brazil, Peru
Habitat	Rainforest
Diet	Small live insects
Humidity	80-100 %
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Pair
Care Level	Easy
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Housing	Rainforest terrarium
Life Span	4-8 years
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size	1.6 cm
Temperature	22-28 °C
Housing Size	30 x 25 x 35 cm
US Units
Size	0.6"
Temperature	72-82 °F
Housing Size	10" x 10" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

Diurnal, mostly ground-dwelling, five-striped treecreepers inhabit lowland rainforests south of the Amazon and the Rio Madeira drainage basin in western Brazil and Peru. They live primarily in the foliage on the bottom in areas with stands of Brazil nuts, whose water-filled shells are needed for reproduction.

Maintenance

For 1-3 animals, the minimum terrarium area is 750 cm², with a minimum effective height (measured without substrate) of 25 cm. This corresponds to a base area of e.g. 30 x 25 cm. For each additional animal, provide an additional 200 cm² of surface area and 2.5 cm of height. The terrarium should be placed in a quiet place without sunlight.

You need a terrarium with a substrate of loose, absorbent, non-rotting substrate such as sand-peat mixture, coconut fibers or sphagnum moss with a drainage and a shallow, 3-5 cm deep watering place, in addition branched climbing branches, preferably entwined with climbing plants, with horizontal perches, back and side wall coverings of e.g.E.g. tree fern plates (Xaxim) and a dense planting (e.g. Tradescantia, Ficus, Scindapsus, ferns, bromeliads) as well as Brazil nut shells for reproduction. At least twice a day the inside of the terrarium must be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better.

Temp. day: 22-28 °C

Temp. night: 20-22 °C

Humidity: 80-100 %

The lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs. depending on the season. Daylight fluorescent tubes with low UV content are ideal.

Diet

The food supply consists of live, small insects such as ants, spiders, micro crickets, tiny grasshoppers and crickets, springtails, enchytraea and drosophila. Food should be offered to adults 2-3 times per week, young animals must be fed daily. It is important to add minerals and vitamins regularly (e.g. by dusting the feed animals). The quality of the feed animals can be enhanced by feeding overripe fruit and honey water

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The males are slightly smaller and the adhesive discs are slightly larger than in the larger and more plump females. The spawn, 5-10 eggs, is deposited in a brood cavity where it is fertilized by the male. After 10-14 days, the larvae hatch. The parents perform brood care and carry each larva (tadpole) on their backs out of the brood burrow to a small body of water (e.g., shells of Brazil nuts). After 70-85 days the transformation (metamorphosis) is completed and the frog leaves the water. The breeding of the tadpoles in small plastic boxes filled with water has proved successful. They are fed with algae growth, fine dry fish food and chicken egg yolk.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported in writing to the responsible authority immediately after the beginning of the keeping. It is essential to find out about any bans on keeping or permits for keeping dangerous animals in your state or municipality (e.g. public order office).

Protection of species: WA Annex II; EU Annex B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe!

Important

Only in the wild they have a skin toxin, which is absorbed through the food of poisonous insects and converted into the body's own toxin. Therefore they lose their skin poison after some time in terrarium keeping. Offsprings are non-poisonous. Prior to purchase, a terrarium should be prepared that meets the species specific needs. Necessary are good ventilation without drafts and equipment for measuring temperature and humidity. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and should be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Special attention should be paid to thorough hygiene and impurities should be removed regularly. Further literature can be found in your pet store

References

Text: Serena Werle; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: VDA & DGHT (2006): Haltungsrichtlinien für die Haltung von Anuren; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag; HANS-JOACHIM HERRMANN (2005): Terrarienatlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF