Description: Small (¾" to 1 ½"), often brilliantly colored frogs from Madagascar, some species can only be found in their single small area. Somewhat delicate, but otherwise relatively long-lived for a small frog (8 years or more). All are active during the day, most are terrestrial and poor swimmers, some produce poisonous skin secretions. Be sure to research the specific requirements of your Mantellas, some are from cooler, mountainous areas, others may be from warm, humid jungles or dry savanna areas and anywhere in between.

Temperature: Daytime 68° to 78°F, slightly cooler at night. Temps over 80° are not tolerated well and could kill them. A temperature gradient throughout the enclosure is preferred.

Humidity: High, around 80%. Warmer/wetter for breeding, cooler/dryer when not. A humidity gradient throughout the enclosure is preferred.

Lighting: Use fluorescent grow lights on a timer to provide a regular day and night cycle. Seasonal day length fluctuations are not needed but could help to stimulate breeding

Feeding: Because they have very small throats, only tiny food items should be given. Pinhead to week-old crickets and fruit flies are fine as a staple diet. A variety of other appropriately sized insects can be offered such as springtails, rice flour beetle larva, tiny mealworms and "lawn plankton". A good vitamin/mineral supplement should be given twice a week for adults and more often for young, growing frogs. A very shallow bowl of water should be provided, they do not swim well.

Habitat: A 10-gallon tank is sufficient for 2 females or a pair. If 2 males are to be housed together, at least a 20-gallon is needed. Set it up as a planted tropical vivarium with plenty of hiding places to help them feel secure. Although they need high humidity, some ventilation is still needed.

Sexing: Difficult. Mature males call and are slightly smaller/thinner than females.

Breeding: Not all species can be easily bred in captivity, many are shy and easily disturbed, some do not tolerate it well. In the wild, 4 to 10 clutches of eggs can be produced each year.

Condition them well by feeding more and using more vitamin/mineral supplement. Keep them at the lower temperature range and reduce the humidity slightly for 2 to 4 weeks. Gradually bring the temps back to normal and mist the enclosure more and then more heavily. Courtship behavior should commence within a few weeks.

Breeding success is much more likely with several males to each female, they are territorial and seem to stimulate each other. Be sure the tank is big enough for the number of males you have; a 20-gallon long works well. The female will search out a dark, moist spot near water and creates a depression in the moss to lay her eggs in. 10 to 100 eggs may be produced and one or both of the parents will care for them. The eggs should be removed after a few days or a week and set up so that the tadpoles will slide down into the water upon hatching (usually within 2 weeks of being laid).

Tadpoles should be kept in filtered 65° to 75°F water that is 2" to 5" deep. Live aquatic plants and algae are needed while they are small, after they grow a bit fish foods will also be eaten. After 1 ½ to 3 months, the froglets will be completing metamorphosis and need to be provided with easy ways to leave the water.

The small froglets need the tiniest insects, some may only be able to handle springtails at first. They grow fast and should be mature at between 6 and 14 months.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna