Phantasmal Poison Frog

Looks how to spot one

Smooth, moist skin

This small frog has a dark brown back with three bright yellow to yellow-green stripes running from the head to the loins: one down the middle of the back and one on each side. The top of the head is often yellow, and there are light stripes and spots on the legs. The belly is dark with yellow spots that may form a net pattern. Reddish spots sometimes appear in the armpits and groin.1

Personality what they are like

Shyer and more secretive than the similar Epipedobates anthonyi. They are not aggressive but are territorial, with males and females forming hierarchies. They are not handleable due to their sensitive, absorbent skin.13

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low activity needs; they are not a pet for handling. They need a well-planted terrarium with hiding places to feel secure and show natural behaviours.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

No grooming needed. The terrarium must be kept humid by misting several times a day. A vitamin and mineral supplement should be dusted onto food animals.1

Home where they are happiest

A rainforest terrarium with dense planting, including bromeliads for egg-laying, and hiding places like roots, cork bark, and coconut shells. Minimum size 40 x 40 x 40 cm for a pair or trio, but larger (e.g. 80 x 50 x 60 cm) is better for groups. Daytime temperature 22-26 °C, dropping to 19-22 °C at night. High humidity is essential. This species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and critically endangered in Ecuador; it is protected under CITES Appendix II. Only captive-bred animals from reputable sources should be kept.1

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Live invertebrates only. Staple foods include fruit flies (Drosophila), small crickets, oven fish, aphids, bean beetles, white woodlice, and springtails. Adults are fed 2-3 times a week, increasing to 4 times in the rainy season. Tadpoles eat fish flake, algae, daphnia, and red mosquito larvae.1

Company who they like around

Can be kept in pairs or groups, but they are territorial and form hierarchies. Provide multiple feeding spots to reduce conflict. They are not a social pet in the way a mammal is; they are best observed in a naturalistic setup. This species is protected and should only be kept by responsible hobbyists with proper documentation where required.1

The story where it all began

The Phantasmal Poison Frog has been popular in the hobby since the 1980s, but a 2004 study revealed that almost all frogs kept in captivity under the name Epipedobates tricolor were actually the similar species Epipedobates anthonyi. True E. tricolor were only imported to Europe later, in small numbers, through the Ecuadorian conservation organisation Centro Jambatu. As a result, genuine E. tricolor is very rare in captivity, while the common 'Phantasmal' in the pet trade is E. anthonyi.1

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Vulnerable1

Ecuadorian Red List

Critically Endangered1

CITES

Appendix II1