Defining Characteristics:

• Great beginner frog
• Bright yellow and blue coloration
• Bold
• Easy to breed
• Quiet call
• Large
• Can be kept in groups when young
• Best kept in pairs as adults

Name: Dendrobates tinctorius ''Patricia'. Commonly the Dyeing Poison Dart Frog (based on an early belief that natives used brightly colored frogs to dye fabric). In the hobby, simply known as Patricias or Pats. Named after Patricia, owner of Vanishing Jewels, a now defunct dart frog breeder who operated in the United States in the late 1990s.

Recommended Vivarium Size: A 10 gallon aquarium is suitable for a single Dendrobates tinctorius ''Patricia', 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: They 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, Patricias 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 Patricias are larger, measuring in at approximately 2 inches. Male Patricia are a bit smaller, averaging about 1.5 inches at maturity. All of the Dendrobates tinctorius 'Patricia froglets Josh's Frogs sells are well started juveniles, and measure at least 5/8” long.

Age: Dendrobates tinctorius 'Patricia' 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 Patricia may live 4-6 years. All Pats for sale at Josh's Frogs are well started juveniles, and are 2-3 months old.

Feeding: Like most poison dart frogs, Patricias prefer smaller foods. All of the patricias Josh's Frogs sells will readily eat Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. Adult Dendrobates tinctorius 'Patricia' 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: Dendrobates tinctorius 'Patricia' is not sexable until 10-12 months of age. Male Patricia tend to be smaller than females, which often appear both longer and wider. Males also tend to have wider front toe pads and a less defined back arch than females. 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: A very variable poison dart frog, all Dendrobates tinctorius 'Patricia are mostly pale yellow interrupted by black spots or blotches, and blue legs. The amount of yellow can vary substantially among individuals, even siblings. Some Patricia have yellow 'bracelets' around their front wrists. 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: These frogs do well housed in groups up to sexual maturity, as long as enough space is provided. Josh's Frogs recommends approximately 10 gallons per frog. As they reach sexual maturity at 10-12 months of age, the social dynamic in a group of Dendrobates tinctorius may change, and all but one female may need to be removed. Female D. tinctorius may fight with each other over a mate. For that reason, many breeders recommend keeping Patricias in pairs as adults. Josh's Frogs strongly recommends against housing different species/morphs of dart frogs - for the health of your pets, please avoid mixing! Josh's Frogs recommends purchasing multiple frogs if you are interested in breeding them – this greatly increases the chances of getting a pair.

Breeding: Patricias are very simple and easy to breed. Like most Dendrobates tinctorius, Patricias are best bred in pairs as adult females may fight with each other in the presence of a male. Generally, eggs are deposited on a smooth broad leaf, or on a petri dish under a cocohut. The eggs hatch into tadpoles, which then take 60-80 days to complete metamorphosis into miniature versions of 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: Dendrobates tinctorius 'Patricia' is native to Suriname. The exact locale is not public information.

History in the Hobby: Exported to the USA for the first time in 1999, Patricias are named after Patricia Grueneberg, owner of Vanishing Jewels (an exotic animal keeper and dealer based in Texas), and a close friend of the exporter. The late 1990s saw a lot of tinctorius coming into the hobby from Suriname, as a result of rumors that Suriname was closing exports fueled massive imports.

Links of Interest:
Tinctorius Morphguide, with great information on all morphs of Dendrobates tinctorius.
IUCN Redlist article on Dendrobates tinctorius.

Still not sure if Dendrobates tinctorius 'Patricia' from Josh's Frogs is the right poison dart frog for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!