Description
Other Names (How it Got Its Names)
-
Common names: Anthony’s Poison Dart Frog, Ankas Morph.
-
Epipedobates = “on the tree, walking,” reflecting their semi-arboreal habits.
-
Named after Harold Anthony, a herpetologist who first described the species.
-
“Ankas” refers to a specific locality/morph with distinctive coloration.
Characteristics
-
Small dart frog species known for its bold striping and high activity levels.
-
Often more vocal than other dart frogs — males produce a loud, bird-like trill.
-
Hardy and adaptable, often considered good for beginner to intermediate keepers.
Recommended Vivarium Size
-
Minimum: 18” x 18” x 18” for a pair or small group.
-
Larger enclosures allow for more natural group dynamics.
-
Provide live plants, leaf litter, cork bark, and hiding areas.
Temperature
Humidity
Size of Frog
Life Span
Feeding
-
Diet: D. melanogaster and D. hydei fruit flies, springtails, isopods, and pinhead crickets.
-
Feed daily; dust prey with calcium and vitamins 2–3 times weekly.
Color/Pattern
-
The Ankas morph typically displays a dark brown to black body with bold golden or tan dorsal striping running from snout to vent.
-
Sides may show lighter spotting or stripes.
-
Limbs are usually dark with faint banding or spotting.
Social Behavior
How to Determine Sex
-
Males: smaller, slimmer, with loud, frequent trilling calls.
-
Females: larger, fuller-bodied when gravid.
How to Breed
-
Provide smooth, moist surfaces such as film canisters, petri dishes, or leaves for egg laying.
-
Males call loudly to attract females; eggs are laid in concealed, moist areas.
-
Eggs hatch in 10–14 days; tadpoles can be raised in separate aquatic setups.
-
Tadpoles metamorphose in ~2–3 months depending on care.
🌟 Epipedobates anthonyi “Ankas” is valued for its striking dorsal striping, hardy nature, and loud calls, making it both a display and breeder-friendly species.
