Defining Characteristics:
- Great Beginner Frog
- Bright red and green coloration
- Moderately Bold
- Easy to breed
- Loud call
- Small
- Great in Groups
Name: Epipedobates anthonyi 'Santa Isabel', commonly known as the phantasmal poison dart frog frog, is a small, bold, and colorful frog. These frogs are also known as SIs or Santa Isabels.
Recommended Vivarium Size: A 10G aquarium is suitable for 2-3 Epipedobates anthonyi, but I recommend a 20H or larger vivarium - these frogs do great in groups, and a larger vivarium means more frogs can be housed together.
Epipedobates anthonyi "Santa Isabel" (Captive Bred)
Temperature: They can tolerate a temperature range of 65 F to 80 F, but prefer temperatures in the low to mid 70s. Temperatures over 85F are dangerous.
Humidity: Like most poison dart frogs, anthonyi prefer a humidity range of 80 – 100%, but can tolerate humidity down to 50% for short periods of time if the frogs have access to water. Low humidity levels, especially without access to water, can quickly be fatal.
Size: Adult female and male Epipedobates anthonyi are similar in length, measuring in at around 1". All of the Epipedobates anthonyi 'Santa Isabel' froglets we sell are well started juveniles, and measure approximately 1/2” long.
Age: Epipedobates anthonyi 'Santa Isabel' is capable of living well over 10 years in captivity under ideal conditions, although a lifespan of 5-8 years is more common. All anthonyi for sale are well started juveniles, and are 3-4 months old.
Feeding: Like most poison dart frogs, anthonyi prefer smaller foods. All of the thumbnail dart frogs will readily eat Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. Adult Epipedobates anthonyi will readily consume Drosophila hydei fruit flies and pinhead crickets. All ages of poison dart frogs will enjoy springtails and isopods. All feeder insects should be dusted with a vitamin/mineral supplement.
Sexing: Epipedobates anthonyi 'Santa Isabel' are fairly easy to sex as adults. Females are much wider than males, especially before laying eggs. Josh's Frogs sells 3-4 month old juveniles that are not sexable unless otherwise noted.
Color/Pattern: Santa Isabel anthonyi are fairly consistent in color and pattern. These frogs start out life as a brown/tan froglet with barely any striping. With time, the brown/tan coloration develops into a bright red color, and the stripes turn from yellowish to green. Josh's Frogs does not recommend, support, or endorse line breeding as we believe this leads to weaker captive animals and nature has done a wonderful job of creating an amazing variation in color and pattern of poison dart frogs already.
Social Behavior: These frogs do well housed in groups their entire life as long as enough space is provided. Josh's Frogs recommends approximately 5 gallons per frog. As they reach sexual maturity at 5-8 months of age, the social dynamic in a group of anthonyi may change and females may eat each other's eggs, although most will even breed together in the same film canister! Josh's Frogs strongly recommends against housing different species/morphs of dart frogs - for the health of your pets, please avoid mixing! Josh's Frogs recommends purchasing multiple frogs if you are interested in breeding them – this greatly increases the chances of getting a pair