Defining Characteristics:

• Great beginner frog
• Contrasting yellow and black coloration
• Bold
• Easy to breed
• Quiet call
• Large
• Can be kept in groups when young
• Best kept in pairs as adults
• F1s also available - new blood from 2017 imports

Name: Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita'. Commonly called 'Nikita' in the US frog hobby, reoprtedly named after the exporter's daughter.

Recommended Vivarium Size: A 10 gallon aquarium is suitable for a single Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita', but Josh's Frogs recommends a 20H or 18x18x18 Vivarium for 1-3 frogs. Not sure how to set up a vivarium? Please watch our video on How to Set Up a Vivarium.

Temperature: They can tolerate a temperature range of 65 F to 80 F, but prefer temperatures in the low to mid 70s. Temperatures over 85F are dangerous.

Humidity: Like most poison dart frogs, Nikita prefer a humidity range of 70 – 100%, but can tolerate humidity down to 50% for short periods of time if the frogs have access to water. Low humidity levels, especially without access to water, can quickly be fatal.

Size: Adult female Nikita are larger, measuring in at approximately 2 inches. Male Nikita are a bit smaller, averaging about 1.75 inch at maturity. Think of nikita as a smaller citronella. All of the Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita' froglets Josh's Frogs sells are well started juveniles, and measure approximately 5/8” long.

Age: Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita' is capable of living well over 20 years in captivity under ideal conditions, although a lifespan of 10 years is more common. In the wild, it is thought that Nikita may live 4-6 years. All Nikita for sale at Josh's Frogs are well started juveniles, and are 2-3 months old.

Feeding: Like most poison dart frogs, Nikita prefer smaller foods. All of the Nikita Josh's Frogs sells will readily eat Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. Adult Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita' will readily consume Drosophila hydei fruit flies and pinhead crickets. All ages of poison dart frogs will enjoy springtails and isopods. All feeder insects should be dusted with a vitamin/mineral supplement. For more information on what poison dart frogs can eat, please visit our How-To Guide on Feeding Poison Dart Frogs.

Sexing: Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita' is not sexable until 10-12 months of age. Male Nikita tend to be smaller than females, which often appear both longer and wider. Males also tend to have wider front toe pads and a less defined back arch than females. Josh's Frogs sells 2-3 month old juveniles that are not sexable unless otherwise noted. For more information on sexing poison dart frogs, please visit our How-To Guide on Sexing Poison Dart Frogs.

Color/Pattern: Reportedly a very variable poison dart frog in the wild, Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita' appear similar to Citronellas, but with a darker colored yellow. In some individuals, they are reportedly nearly identical in appearance to cobalts. Nikitas typically have wrist bracelets present. Josh's Frogs does not recommend, support, or endorse line breeding as we believe this leads to weaker captive animals and nature has done a wonderful job of creating an amazing variation in color and pattern of poison dart frogs already.

Social Behavior: These frogs do well housed in groups up to sexual maturity, as long as enough space is provided. Josh's Frogs recommends approximately 10 gallons per frog. As they reach sexual maturity at 10-12 months of age, the social dynamic in a group of Dendrobates tinctorius may change, and all but one female may need to be removed. Female D. tinctorius may fight with each other over a mate. For that reason, many breeders recommend keeping Nikita in pairs as adults. Josh's Frogs strongly recommends against housing different species/morphs of dart frogs - for the health of your pets, please avoid mixing! Josh's Frogs recommends purchasing multiple frogs if you are interested in breeding them – this greatly increases the chances of getting a pair.

Breeding: Nikita are very simple and easy to breed. Like most Dendrobates tinctorius, Nikita are best bred in pairs as adult females may fight with each other in the presence of a male. Generally, eggs are deposited on a smooth broad leaf, or on a petri dish under a cocohut. The eggs hatch into tadpoles, which then take 60-80 days to complete metamorphosis into miniature versions of the adults. For more information on breeding and raising poison dart frogs, please visit our How-To Guide on Breeding Poison Dart Frogs.

Natural Range: Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita', as present in the US frog hobby, is native to Suriname. Nikita tincs occur where Suriname, Brazil, and Frend Guiana meet. 

History in the Hobby: Nikitas became available in the US hobby in the mid to late 2000s, from imports from Suriname distributed by Marcus Breece of Simply Natural Dart Frogs. They were imported in relatively small numbers. Captive bred animals were reportedly male heavy, but that does not appear to be the case with froglets bred at Josh's Frogs.

Links of Interest:
Tinctorius Morphguide, with great information on all morphs of Dendrobates tinctorius.
IUCN Redlist article on Dendrobates tinctorius.

Still not sure if Dendrobates tinctorius 'Nikita' from Josh's Frogs is the right poison dart frog for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!