← All species · 
Dart Frogs
Phantasmal Poison Dart Frog
Epipedobates anthonyi · also called Anthony’s poison arrow frog, Tricolor
Intermediate Family Dendrobatidae
A small pinstriped dart frog with a pleasant bird-like call.
📋 At a glance
- Tank
- Bioactive 18×18×18 in (1–3)
- Temp
- 72–80°F by day (low-mid 70s), nights can drop to the mid-60s · keep under ~80°F — a few hours near 85°F can kill
- Humidity
- 80–100%
- Food
- Fruit flies + springtails, supplement-dusted
- Lifespan
- 10+ years
✅ Captive-bred and non-toxic — hardy, vocal and active for a dart frog.
🛒 Before you buy
- A planted bioactive viv with a drainage layer + leaf litter
- Springtails + a fruit-fly culture going first
- A mister + hygrometer
- Calcium/vitamin supplement
A healthy one: Pinstriped, plump and active by day · clear eyes · CAPTIVE-BRED.
🚨 See a vet / act now if…
- Lethargy or hiding all day
- Weight loss / thin legs, or not eating
- Constant toe-tapping or dark, clamped skin
- Wobbling or seizures (calcium/vitamin)
⛔ Never
- Wild-caught frogs
- Humidity below 50%
- Heat above ~80°F
Common phantasmal poison dart frog questions
How hard are Phantasmal Poison Dart Frogs to keep — are they good for beginners?
Intermediate. A small, hardy dart frog with a pleasant bird-like call — a good intermediate dart.
What do Phantasmal Poison Dart Frogs eat?
Fruit flies + springtails, supplement-dusted
What size tank do Phantasmal Poison Dart Frogs need?
Bioactive 18×18×18 in (1–3)
What temperature do Phantasmal Poison Dart Frogs need?
72–80°F by day (low-mid 70s), nights can drop to the mid-60s · keep under ~80°F — a few hours near 85°F can kill
What humidity do Phantasmal Poison Dart Frogs need?
80–100%
How long do Phantasmal Poison Dart Frogs live?
10+ years
What are the signs Phantasmal Poison Dart Frogs are sick?
See an exotics vet if you notice: Lethargy or hiding all day; Weight loss / thin legs, or not eating; Constant toe-tapping or dark, clamped skin; Wobbling or seizures (calcium/vitamin).
🧠 Myths, kindly busted
Common myths about this kind of amphibian, gently corrected — each one checked against a named source, never a pet-shop rumour.
“Captive-bred poison dart frogs are dangerously poisonous.”
Dart frogs do not make their toxins themselves — they build them up from a wild diet of certain ants and mites. Captive-bred frogs raised on ordinary feeder insects do not carry those alkaloids, so they are not a poison threat in the home. — Wikipedia
“Poison dart frogs are fun frogs to pick up and handle.”
These little frogs are best enjoyed with your eyes, not your hands. All dart frogs have delicate, absorbent skin, and wild-caught ones can still carry toxins, so routine handling is discouraged. — Wikipedia
“A captive-bred dart frog can never be toxic, so the toxin never matters.”
Captive-bred frogs keep the ability to store toxins again if they are ever fed an alkaloid-rich diet, and wild-caught frogs can stay toxic for a long time — which is why clean hands and gentle care still matter around any dart frog. — Wikipedia
🐸 Did you know? — Phantasmal Poison Dart Frog fun facts
Little true delights about the phantasmal poison dart frog — each one checked against a named source, no old-wives' trivia.
- 🧬 Its skin yielded epibatidine, a natural painkiller found to be at least 200 times more potent than morphine. Wikipedia
- 📜 Scientists discovered epibatidine after collecting frog skins in Ecuador and noticing that a tiny skin extract had a powerful painkilling effect in mice. Wikipedia
More amphibian fun facts →
🎓 Ready to go deeper?
Past the basics — genetics & morphs, responsible breeding, tankmates, and advanced setups. Same plain voice, no ceiling:
Get the free Phantasmal Poison Dart Frog Starter Kit
A one-page setup-criteria checklist and a first-30-days plan for your first phantasmal poison dart frog — what to get, what makes each thing matter, and the honest bits the pet shop skips. Join the burrow and we’ll send it over. Free sheets and tools always stay open, no gatekeeping.
Free amphibian care cheat-sheet when you join. No spam — pinky-promise. Unsubscribe anytime. See how we handle your data in our privacy notice. 
Free tools for the phantasmal poison dart frog
