Defining Characteristics: Great beginner thumbnail | Bright, yellow spots | Bold | Easy to breed | Quiet call | Small | Great in Pairs or Groups

 

Name: Ranitomeya vanzolinii. Formerly known as Dendrobates vanzolinii, this frog is commonly known as the Brazilian Poison Dart Frog due to it's natural range. Commonly called vanzos in the hobby, or simply spotted poison frogs, these are quite a gem!

 

Recommended Vivarium Size: A 10 gallon aquarium is suitable for 2-3 Ranitomeya vanzolinii, but Josh's Frogs recommends a 20H or 18x18x18 Vivarium for 1-3 frogs. Not sure how to set up a vivarium? Please watch our video on How to Set Up a Vivarium.

 

Temperature: Ranitomeya vanzolinii 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, vanzoliniis 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 R. vanzolinii are similar in length, measuring in at around an inch. All of the Ranitomeya vanzolinii froglets Josh's Frogs sells are well started juveniles, and measure approximately 3/4” long.

 

Age: Ranitomeya vanzolinii is capable of living well over 10 years in captivity under ideal conditions, although a lifespan of 5-8 years is more common. All imis for sale at Josh's Frogs are well started juveniles, and are 2-3 months old.

 

Feeding: Like most poison dart frogs, vanzoliniis prefer smaller foods. All of the thumbnail dart frogs sold by Josh's Frogs will readily eat Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. Adult Ranitomeya vanzolinii 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. For more information on what poison dart frogs can eat, please visit our How-To Guide on Feeding Poison Dart Frogs.

 

Sexing: Ranitomeya vanzolinii are fairly easy to sex as adults. Females are much wider than males, as they lay eggs frequently. Josh's Frogs sells 2-3 month old juveniles that are not sexable unless otherwise noted. For more information on sexing poison dart frogs, please visit our How-To Guide on Sexing Poison Dart Frogs.

 

Color/Pattern: Vanzos are fairly consistent in color and pattern. Exhibiting yellow dots or lines on a black background, they are a striking little thumbnaill dart frog! 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: Ranitomeya vanzolinii 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 vanzolinii dart frogs 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 mxing! Josh's Frogs recommends purchasing multiple frogs if you are interested in breeding them – this greatly increases the chances of getting a pair.

 

Breeding: Vanzos are not typically difficult frogs to breed. Best bred in pairs, males call to attract a female to a suitable egg laying site. Then, 2-6 eggs are laid on a smooth surface (often in a film canister or a bromeliad). The eggs hatch into tadpoles, which then take 60-80 days to complete metamorphosis into miniature versions of the adults. Tadpoles will feed on dead fruit flies, the standard frog and tadpole bites/sera micron fare, and even unfertilized eggs if left in with the adults! For more information on breeding and raising poison dart frogs, please visit our How-To Guide on Breeding Poison Dart Frogs.

 

Natural Range: Ranitomeya vanzolinii hails from Brazil and Peru.

 

History in the Hobby: Vanzolinii in the United States come from 2 sources - European imports, or via Understory Enterprises (Mark Pepper). The line we work with at Josh's Frogs was imported from Europe.