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Oophaga sylvatica "Koi" Care Guide

Oophaga sylvatica "Koi"

Last updated: September 22, 2026

Oophaga sylvatica "Koi" is a large-form obligate egg-feeder from Barbacoas in Nariño department, southern Colombia. This is Tesoros de Colombia's first legally established sylvatica line, sylvatica was previously reachable in the US hobby only through WIKIRI's Ecuadorian lines. Base color is vivid orange or deep red with bold black markings over blue or white, and no two individuals are patterned alike. Tadpoles must be fed unfertilized eggs by the female, which makes them more demanding to breed than dendrobates. They can live 15+ years with appropriate care.

Housing Requirements

  • Terrarium Size: 24 x 18 x 24 Exo Terra or similar minimum for a pair, with vertical space and climbing vegetation
  • Tank Mates: Sexed pair only. Oophaga are territorial, females will fight, and groups are risky for large-form sylvatica, do not add a second female to an established pair.
  • Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C) during the day, 65-70°F (18-21°C) at night; Tesoros' published tolerable range is 65-81°F
  • Humidity: 70-90% relative humidity, with a seasonal wet/dry cycle to trigger breeding
  • Lighting: Standard vivarium LED on a 12-hour day/night cycle; UVB is not required, dust prey with a quality calcium plus D3 supplement instead

Substrate & Environment

  • ABG mix or similar well-draining substrate over a drainage layer
  • Deep leaf litter (magnolia, live oak, sea grape) for cover and springtail foraging
  • Live plants with broad leaves (bromeliads, philodendrons) and film canisters or coconut huts for egg deposition
  • Cork bark tubes and vertical wood for climbing
  • Clean, dechlorinated water in a shallow dish

Diet & Feeding

  • Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster and hydei) daily as the staple
  • Springtails, aphids, and pinhead crickets for enrichment; small isopods for variety for adults
  • Dust every feeding with calcium (with D3) and multivitamins on the manufacturer's schedule

Breeding

  • Sexual maturity at 12-18 months; pairs typically bond and breed once settled
  • Eggs are laid in film canisters or on smooth leaves and are guarded by the male
  • Obligate egg-feeder: the female carries hatched tadpoles to bromeliad axils or canisters and feeds each one unfertilized nutritive eggs. She must remain in the enclosure for the tadpoles to survive.
  • Artificial rearing with substitute egg feedings is possible but advanced; most keepers leave tadpoles with the parents.

Special Notes

  • Advanced species, best kept after experience with dendrobates and ideally a smaller Oophaga (pumilio, granulifera)
  • Tesoros' 'Koi' line is CITES-legal captive-bred from Colombian founder stock (Barbacoas, Nariño); provenance paperwork should accompany any purchase
  • More reclusive than tinctorius or auratus, heavy planting and deep leaf litter make them feel secure enough to stay in view
  • Sensitive to chemicals, chlorine, and heat spikes above 82°F
  • Handle only when absolutely necessary for medical care or moving
  • Quarantine all new animals for 30+ days

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