Vietnamese Mossy Tree Frog Care Guide

Housing Requirements

• Terrarium Size: 18"x18"x24" Exo Terra or similar minimum for a pair; a larger paludarium with a deep water section is preferable and lets the frogs behave naturally
• Tank Mates: Peaceful in small groups of their own species; the water section can be shared with small cool-water fish such as white cloud mountain minnows once the frogs are adult-sized
• Temperature: 65-72°F (18-22°C) during the day with a brief warm spot no higher than 74°F (23°C), 60-68°F (15-20°C) at night, sustained temperatures above 80°F (27°C) can be fatal
• Humidity: 80-100%
• 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

• Paludarium layout with a filtered, dechlorinated water section 3-6 inches deep, the frogs spend much of their time sitting in or on the water
• ABG mix or similar well-draining substrate on the land portion, kept moist but not waterlogged
• Cork rounds, mossy bark slabs, and low branches that let the frogs wedge into a cavity or perch half-submerged
• Live sheet moss, java moss, and pothos add humidity and give the camouflage something to disappear against
• Strong airflow, stagnant humid air leads to bacterial skin infections in this species

Diet & Feeding

• Adults take medium to large crickets and small dubia roaches as staples
• Earthworms and hornworms make good variety items
• Aphids are a small enrichment offering; adults are too large for fruit flies as a staple, though flies work well for froglets
• Dust prey with calcium plus D3 at most feedings and a multivitamin roughly weekly
• Feed adults 2-3 times per week; juveniles more often on appropriately sized prey

Breeding

• Sexual maturity has been reported around 5-6 months post-metamorphosis, though most keepers wait a year or more before breeding attempts
• A tree-hole breeder: eggs are laid on cork, branches, or vivarium glass overhanging the water, and hatched tadpoles drop into the pool below
• Cooler nights into the low 60s and a light rain-chamber period can trigger breeding
• Tadpole development is unusually long, 6-8 months to metamorphosis, and tadpoles grow larger than the adults they become
• Raise tadpoles in filtered, cool, well-oxygenated water; they graze detritus and drowned insects, supplemented with aquatic frog food

Special Notes

• When startled, this species curls into a tight ball and plays dead (thanatosis); combined with the moss-mimicking skin it typically vanishes in place until the threat passes
• Prefers cool temperatures, a warm summer room can kill them, so plan for cooling (basement, wine fridge, or an air-conditioned room) before adding this species
• Sensitive to chlorine and chloramine; use dechlorinated water in the pool and for misting
• Handle only when absolutely necessary for medical care or moving
• Quarantine all new animals for 30+ days