Defining Characteristics: Great beginner frog | Contrasting yellow and black coloration | Bold | Easy to breed | Quiet call | Large | Can be kept in groups when young | Best kept in pairs as adults

Name: Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita'. Commonly called 'Nikita' in the US frog hobby, reoprtedly named after the exporter's daughter.

Recommended Vivarium Size: A 10 gallon aquarium is suitable for a single Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita', 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: Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita' 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, Nikita prefer a humidity range of 70 – 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 Nikita are larger, measuring in at approximately 2 inches. Male Nikita are a bit smaller, averaging about 1.75 inch at maturity. Think of nikita as a smaller citronella. All of the Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita' froglets Josh's Frogs sells are well started juveniles, and measure approximately 1” long.

Age: Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita' is capable of living well over 20 years in captivity under ideal conditions, although a lifespan of 10 years is more common. In the wild, it is thought that Nikita may live 4-6 years. All Nikita for sale at Josh's Frogs are well started juveniles, and are 2-3 months old.

Feeding: Like most poison dart frogs, Nikita prefer smaller foods. All of the Nikita Josh's Frogs sells will readily eat Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. Adult Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita' 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.

Color/Pattern: Reportedly a very variable poison dart frog in the wild, Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita' appear similar to Citronellas, but with a darker colored yellow. In some individuals, they are reportedly nearly identical in appearance to cobalts. Nikitas typically have wrist bracelents present. 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.