Description

Raise something rather special with these captive-bred Ranitomeya variabilis “Borja Ridge” tadpoles. This established line of Ranitomeya variabilis is particularly striking, with adults typically developing bright yellow to orange head markings contrasting with an intricate dark and blue-green to turquoise reticulated body pattern.

Captive bred in the UK, these tadpoles offer the opportunity to observe the complete transformation from aquatic tadpole through metamorphosis and into one of the smaller thumbnail dart frogs.

🐸 Species & Line Information

• Scientific name: Ranitomeya variabilis
• Line / form: “Borja Ridge”
• Family: Dendrobatidae
• Common name: Variable Poison Frog / Variable Dart Frog
• Stage: Tadpole
• Price: £30.00 each
• Breeding origin: Captive bred in the UK
• Adult size: A small thumbnail dart frog, typically around 2 cm

Important taxonomy note: Ranitomeya variabilis is the scientific species name. “Borja Ridge” is the established designation used to distinguish this particular captive/locality line and should not be confused with a separate species or subspecies.

Where animals are maintained as an established line, we recommend keeping their provenance intact and avoiding intentional crosses with other Ranitomeya variabilis lines.

🌿 What Makes Borja Ridge Special?

Adult Ranitomeya variabilis “Borja Ridge” are known in the hobby for their distinctive appearance. Individuals can show yellow through to orange markings around the head, contrasting with an intricate reticulated pattern across the body in shades that may appear turquoise, blue-green or green against a dark background.

As with any living animal, colour, pattern and behaviour vary between individuals. The photographs on this listing should therefore be treated as representative of the line rather than a guarantee that every individual will develop identical markings.

Ranitomeya variabilis are small thumbnail dart frogs that make extensive use of structurally complex, planted environments. Once established, individuals may be active and visible, although behaviour varies between animals and between enclosures.

🥚 Tadpole Care

These animals are supplied at the tadpole stage and require appropriate aquatic care until metamorphosis.

• Housing: Raising tadpoles individually is a sensible approach and avoids potential problems associated with keeping multiple tadpoles together.
• Water: Use clean, appropriately conditioned water and maintain good water quality. Avoid sudden, large changes in water chemistry or temperature.
• Feeding: Offer an appropriate tadpole diet in small quantities, taking care not to allow uneaten food to accumulate and degrade water quality.
• Temperature: Stable, moderate temperatures are preferable. Avoid prolonged overheating and rapid temperature swings.
• Metamorphosis: As the front legs emerge and the tail begins to be absorbed, provide safe, easy access out of the water and prepare an appropriately humid, escape-resistant froglet enclosure.

Newly metamorphosed Ranitomeya are extremely small. Appropriate live foods such as springtails and suitably sized fruit flies should therefore be established and available before metamorphosis is complete.

🌱 Adult Husbandry

Once mature, Ranitomeya variabilis should be maintained in a secure, mature and well-planted bioactive vivarium with plenty of structural complexity, climbing opportunities, leaf litter, planting and suitable retreats.

These are very small frogs, so particular attention should be paid to escape routes, ventilation openings and gaps around doors or cable entries. A gap that appears insignificant with a larger Dendrobates can be substantial to a thumbnail frog.

Group keeping is practised successfully with this line, but it should never be assumed that every group will remain socially compatible. Behaviour should be monitored as animals mature, and keepers should be prepared to separate individuals if persistent aggression, exclusion from resources or other problems develop.

👤 Who Are These Tadpoles Suitable For?

• Keepers interested in raising thumbnail dart frogs from the tadpole stage
• Established dart frog keepers looking to maintain the “Borja Ridge” line
• Keepers with access to appropriately sized live foods for very small froglets
• Bioactive vivarium enthusiasts interested in smaller Ranitomeya species

Because newly metamorphosed thumbnail frogs are extremely small and require appropriately sized live food, we recommend researching their post-metamorphosis requirements before purchasing tadpoles.

🧬 Maintaining Line Integrity

“Borja Ridge” identifies an established Ranitomeya variabilis line. We recommend maintaining identifiable lines separately and keeping accurate records of provenance wherever possible.

We do not recommend deliberately crossing Borja Ridge animals with other named Ranitomeya variabilis lines. Keeping lines identifiable helps preserve useful provenance information for future keepers and breeders.

📦 Availability & Live Animal Policy

Tadpoles are sold individually. Availability varies according to successful captive breeding and development.

Live-animal courier delivery is currently subject to our current delivery arrangements. Please check the Live Animal Policy before ordering rather than relying on older delivery information elsewhere on the internet.

Evidence & Further Reading

• Amphibian Species of the World – Ranitomeya variabilis
• St Claire et al. – The husbandry and care of dendrobatid frogs
• Pough – Amphibian Biology and Husbandry