Dendrobates truncatus

Several species of Dendrobatid frog vie for the position of the perfect beginner's frog and, in my opinion, Dendrobates truncatus is a front-runner in this category alongside its close relative D. auratus.  This species became popular in the United Kingdom and subsequently the rest of Europe from 1989 onwards as a result of several illegal importations.  Some were seized by HM Customs and passed to zoos where they were bred.  The disposal of the progeny of these wild-caught animals led to the species acquiring a pseudo legality and CITES papers can now be obtained.  They are easy to keep and breed, perhaps too easy, and after the first flush of enthusiasm for the species, prices plummeted and interest waned with it virtually disappearing from the hobby.  This is a great pity as, whilst not the most spectacular of frogs, they are certainly worth maintaining.  Several people, myself included have attempted to maintain genetically diverse bloodlines, which has resulted in small numbers remaining available to the dedicated hobbyist.

Description
Dendrobates truncatus (Cope 1861) originates from the Rio Magdalena drainage area of Columbia, from Chaparral north to the Caribbean coast, and in the lowlands around the northern ends of the Cordilleras Central and Occidental west, to the Golfo de Uraba.  They are found near to the edges of streams, mainly in moist tropical forest.  It is the smallest member of the so-called D. tinctorius soup of frogs with a snout-vent length of 25-30mm.  The body is a glossy granular black and there are two lateral golden stripes, above the eyes and joining at the vent.  The ventral surface has auratus-like black and yellow marbled markings.  Sexing of specimens can be difficult but males are indicated by their smaller size whilst females tend to be more rotund.

Care
D. truncatus is a frog that appears to be tolerant of low temperatures, breeding at temperatures as low as 18ºC though it thrives and breeds readily at about 22-24ºC.  Whilst it is a small frog it has a large appetite and will tackle relatively large prey.  Analysis of the stomach contents of animals in the wild has however revealed a high proportion of Springtails (Collembola spp) in their diet and they will take these avidly in captivity.  They do well on a varied diet of crickets, fruit flies, lesser waxworm larvae and supplemented by aphids and other sweepings when available.  Foods should be dusted with a mineral and vitamin supplement regularly.

Breeding
The first captive breeding successes were achieved by simulating their natural environment, by providing running water.  Whilst this method continues to hold good, breeding can be achieved without it, though it is certainly easier if this is included.  The male indicates his readiness to breed by emitting a very soft buzz, similar to the call of D. auratus.  A receptive female will follow the male until a suitable spawning site is found, in the vivarium generally a coconut shell 'igloo' on a Petri dish and, generally, two to seven eggs are laid.  At the next stage, there is a divergence of opinion between keepers.  Some leave the frogs to transport their own tadpoles to the water whilst others, myself included, remove the eggs and incubate them separately.  The tadpoles emerge after about a fortnight and can be raised communally, three or four to a five litre container of water which contains hiding places such as a clump of pondweed like Elodea.  Communally raised tadpoles are much larger than those raised singly and take approximately four months to reach metamorphosis.  Accelerating metamorphosis by maintaining tadpoles too warm, above 22ºC, results in smaller froglets that do not develop to the full size of their parents.
Occasionally when I have missed eggs I have seen males transporting tadpoles to water.  These have metamorphosed within the vivarium, presumably feeding on detritus.  Some frogs appear to be better parents' than others and it is possible that the frogs develop their 'parenting skills'.

The tadpoles are fed on a diet of flake fish food, Spirulina or the great standby, thawed frozen spinach.  They will also take white worm (Enchytraeus), Daphnia or bloodworm.

D. truncatus is an excellent frog to maintain, undemanding and easy to breed.  If you can get them, give them a try.
Mick Bajcar