Oophaga Sylvatica "Situwa" Care Guide

Housing Requirements

• Terrarium Size: 18 x 18 x 24 Exo Terra or similar minimum for a pair; 24 x 18 x 24 or larger is preferred for a large-form Oophaga
• Tank Mates: Sexed pairs are the norm for large-form sylvatica. Groups can work in very large, heavily planted enclosures, but females can be territorial and rival females may need to be separated during breeding.
• Temperature: 72-78°F (22-26°C) during the day, 65-70°F (18-21°C) at night
• Humidity: 80-100% relative humidity
• 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 (Atlanta Botanical Garden mix) or similar well-draining substrate
• Live plants, especially bromeliads with well-formed axils, for egg deposition and tadpole rearing sites
• Deep leaf litter, cork bark, and film canisters, sylvatica use cover heavily and settle better when they feel secure
• Clean, dechlorinated water feature or shallow pool

Diet & Feeding

• Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster and hydei) as the daily staple
• Springtails for froglets and as a background feeder for adults
• Occasional isopods or aphids for enrichment
• Dust food with calcium and vitamin supplements

Breeding

• Mature at 12-18 months; adult breeding behavior often takes longer to settle in than in dendrobates
• Males call from cover; eggs are laid on smooth leaves or in film canisters
• Obligate egg-feeders: the female must feed the tadpoles unfertilized eggs deposited into a bromeliad axil or film canister. Tadpoles cannot be raised on standard tadpole diets without advanced substitute-feeding protocols.
• Clutches are small (typically 2-10 eggs) and pairs usually produce 4-6 froglets per year, plan accordingly

Special Notes

• WIKIRI Situwa is a CITES-legal captive-bred line; Ecuador's first CITES export of captive-bred O. sylvatica was 50 frogs in 2011, and the same legal framework produces animals in the trade today
• More reclusive and more territorial than dendrobates; give plenty of cover and watch pairings
• Extremely sensitive to chemicals and chlorine
• Handle only when absolutely necessary for medical care or moving
• Quarantine all new animals for 30+ days