Frogfather Advice and News

Welcome to the Frogfather blog — your UK guide to dart frog care, mossy frog setups, bioactive vivariums, and rare isopods. Discover expert tips, breeding advice, and naturalistic enclosure inspiration for exotic amphibian keepers.

Very dark-coloured dart frog resting on leaf, illustrating natural pigmentation variation in dart frogs

Black Dart Frogs: Do “Pure Black” Poison Dart Frogs Exist, and What Causes the Dark Colour?

“Black dart frog” is one of those search phrases that

Comparison showing a typical brightly coloured dart frog alongside a melanistic dart frog, illustrating natural genetic variation rather than selective line breeding

Melanistic Dart Frogs, Morphs, and Selective Breeding: Ethics, Genetics, and the Reality of Nature

Melanistic Dart Frogs & Morphs: Ethics, Genetics & Natural Variation

Different dart frog species shown in a planted UK bioactive vivarium to illustrate price differences

Dart Frog Prices in the UK: Why Some Frogs Cost £60 and Others £200+

If you’re new to dart frogs, pricing can feel… random.

Loud and quiet dart frogs shown side by side in a planted UK bioactive vivarium

Loud vs Quiet Dart Frogs: What You Need to Know Before Buying

This is one of those topics people don’t always think

Visible dart frogs shown confidently in a planted UK bioactive vivarium

Dart Frogs You’ll Actually See (Not Shy!)

Let’s be brutally honest for a second. One of the

Best beginner dart frogs in the UK shown in a planted bioactive vivarium

Best Dart Frogs for Beginners (UK Guide)

Right. If you’re new to dart frogs, you’ve probably already

Moody rainforest background with bold white text reading: Bioactive on a Budget – A Realistic Setup That Work

Bioactive on a Budget: A Realistic Setup That Works

Want a bioactive vivarium that actually works without rinsing your bank account? We’ve pulled together the UK keeper’s guide to doing it right — with filter foam, local plants, and a bit of frog logic. 🪴🐸💷

#bioactivevivarium #dartfrogs #ukfrogs #frogkeepersofinstagram #vivariumsetup #cheapvivarium #terrariumlife #isopods #springtails #microfauna #reptileenclosure #frogroomgoals

Dart frog tadpole growth stages illustrated with UK-relevant species

The Secret Lives of Tadpoles: From Swamp Soup to Froglet

There’s something properly magical about peering into a leaf-filled water bowl and spotting a tiny comma-shaped creature wiggling around. Tadpoles

Sunday Update from Frogfather HQ

It’s been a busy but exciting week here at Frogfather HQ, with plenty happening across our frog room, workshop, and

UK winter dart frog vivarium infographic: insulation, heating methods, humidity tips, and placement advic

Setting Up a Dart Frog Vivarium in a Cold UK House

Welcome to the UK: land of damp socks, draughty windows, and radiators that somehow make the air colder. If you’re

UK dart frog vivarium lighting infographic: LED vs UVB, photoperiods, placement, and plant needs.

Best Vivarium Lighting for Dart Frogs in the UK

Lighting in dart frog vivariums is one of those subjects that confuses new UK keepers—and to be fair, the internet

Infographic for UK keepers explaining springtails and isopods: species, care, and bioactive role in vivariums

Isopods & Springtails: The Clean-Up Crew for Bioactive Vivariums

Focus Keyword: bioactive clean up crew UK Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes Why Microfauna Matter in Dart Frog Setups Bioactive

Fruit fly culture infographic for UK dart frog keepers: melanogaster vs hydei, media setup, mould tips, and feeding advice

Fruit Fly Cultures 101: Keeping Your UK Dart Frogs Fed

Let’s be honest: if you’re keeping dart frogs in the UK, you’re basically running a tiny fly farm. Whether you

Golden dart frog beside clutch of eggs in a UK vivarium

Breeding Poison Dart Frogs in the UK: From Eggs to Froglets

So you’ve nailed your dart frog husbandry, your frogs are eating well, calling daily, and now you’re thinking: what’s next?

UK dart frog vivarium with cork, foam and moss backgrounds

Vivarium Backgrounds: Cork, Foam & Living Walls Compared

If you’re staring at the back of your empty viv wondering what to do with it – welcome. Whether you’re

Closeup of bioactive substrate layers in a UK dart frog vivarium

Building a Bioactive Substrate Layer (UK Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’re serious about dart frogs, you’ll need to get your bioactive substrate sorted. It’s not just dirt. It’s the