The Trinidad Stream Frog
Colostethus trinitatis

John Skillcorn
Last update: 02 June, 2004

Male guarding a clutch of eggs

Although they are members of the Dendrobatid group of frogs, the species of Colostethus lack the bright colours of their cousins. This is an indication that they are not as toxic; indeed, they are almost all extremely agile frogs, moving with lightning speed and clearly rely on this ability to escape predators.

In the wild, Colostethus trinitatis is a frog of fast flowing streams, and in captivity I believe it is beneficial to have running water circulating in their vivarium. It would seem, however, that this is not essential for breeding. With running, self-filtering water, though, you can leave the whole job of egg and tadpole care to the adults.

C. trinitatis is a small frog, reaching just over an inch (2.5cms) in length. Both males and females are an attractive range of browns and are easily sexed. The adult males have a grey throat, while the territorial females have a bright yellow throat. Males that are calling are completely jet black. They have a single vocal sac under the lower jaw.

A couple of females in their favourite hideout

In my experience pairs of frogs lay their eggs on plant leaves, although I am sure that rock crevices would serve, and have served, a similar purpose. The eggs are guarded by the male for around twelve days until they hatch. It is he who transports the tadpoles to the water, they somehow arranging themselves into two, neat rows down his back with their tails neatly curving round his flanks. How this is achieved I don't know, but in the several cases I have seen, it seems to be the usual manner of transport!

The tadpoles are not cannibalistic and will survive en masse in their parents' vivarium. On metamorphosis, they emerge as fairly large, young frogs, well able and willing  to accept any food you care to offer them, so long as it will fit into their mouth! They are hearty feeders and will reach maturity within five months, often a little less with good husbandry.

What makes this frog such a good beginner's animal is its requirement for a slightly lower temperature than other Dendrobatids.  C. trinitatis can be maintained at around 17° to 20°C, while they will tolerate temperatures down to 11°C.

Unless fed on sweepings from the countryside, these animals would, like all other Dendrobatids, benefit from regular additions of dietary supplements. I have never had a case of spindly-leg with this frog, and no disease problems have ever been encountered. It is, in short, a wonderful beginner's frog, not brightly coloured but not exacting in its requirements. Its lively character and considerable vocal abilities more than make up for its shortcomings in colour. Moreover, they will be quite happy to leap onto your hand and sit there feeding, so long as there is food in the offing! Now then, which other Dendrobatid would be as obliging as that?

The photographs:
Top left - shows a male C. trinitatis guarding his latest batch of eggs, which are on the point of hatching at around twelve days old.

Middle right - shows two female C. trinitatis.  Their characteristic yellow throat is not visible here, though.

This page last updated: Wednesday, 02 June 2004