Defining Characteristics: Great beginner frog | Pale Yellow, White, 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 'Yellowback'. 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 Yellowbacks or Cits. Yellowback refers to it's bright lemon yellow color.

Recommended Vivarium Size: A 10 gallon aquarium is suitable for a single Dendrobates tinctorius 'Yellowback', 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.

Want to spice up your enclosure with live plants? Our experts have curated kits of easy-to-care-for and SAFE plants for your dart frogs. Check them out here!

Temperature: Dendrobates tinctorius 'Yellowback' 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, Yellowbacks 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 Yellowbacks are one of the largest species of tincs, measuring in at approximately 2.5 inches. Male Yellowback are a bit smaller, averaging about 2 inches at maturity. All of the Dendrobates tinctorius 'Yellowback' froglets Josh's Frogs sells are well started juveniles, and measure approximately 1” long.

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

Feeding: Like most poison dart frogs, Yellowbacks prefer smaller foods. All of the Yellowbacks Josh's Frogs sells will readily eat Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. Adult Dendrobates tinctorius 'Yellowback' 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: A very variable poison dart frog, all Dendrobates tinctorius 'Yellowback' are mostly pale yellow interrupted by black spots or blotches, and no spots in some individuals. The amount of yellow can vary substantially among individuals, even siblings. Some Yellowback have yellow 'bracelets' around their front wrists. Leg color tends to be black with a varying amount of pale yellow or white. This morph of tinctorius is very variable. Some individuals show a reduced yellow coloration, where 90% of their body is black. These are sometimes referred to as 'lemon drop' tinctorius or skeleton tincs. As yellowbacks age, the yellow can fade to an almost white color. 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.