Description
Oophaga histrionica ‘Small Form Red Head’ is a striking poison dart frog from the humid tropical forests of western Colombia, distinguished by its brilliant red head and contrasting dark body coloration. This distinctive form belongs to the highly variable O. histrionica species complex, known for its remarkable diversity of colors and patterns. Small Form Red Heads are active, inquisitive frogs that make captivating displays in densely planted vivaria. Males produce soft, repetitive calls and can be strongly territorial, so they are best maintained singly or in carefully monitored, compatible pairs. Like other Oophaga, they exhibit specialized parental care, with females transporting tadpoles to small water-holding sites and returning to provision them with unfertilized trophic eggs. Tadpoles are generally best left with the parents in mature vivaria with suitable deposition sites. This form thrives in humid, well-ventilated enclosures with abundant leaf litter, bromeliads, climbing plants, cork hides, and plenty of visual cover. They readily accept Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies and springtails, with appropriately sized prey and consistent supplementation important for maintaining healthy animals. Captive-bred animals from Holotypica are raised with care and offered only once they are feeding well and established.
