How Much to Feed a Dart Frog (UK Guide): Feeding Schedule, Supplements & Species Needs
One of the biggest questions new (and even experienced) keepers ask: how much do I feed my dart frogs? Too little, and your frogs lose condition. Too much, and your viv turns into a bug-infested mess.
This long-form guide dives deep into everything UK frogkeepers need to know: portion size, feeding schedules, species-specific needs, vitamin dusting routines, UVB supplementation, hunting behaviours, and more. Whether you’re raising froglets or maintaining a mature group, this is your full nutrition strategy.
“`🍴 How Often Should You Feed Dart Frogs?
In general, dart frogs should be fed once a day when young or 3–5 times per week as adults. Froglets (under 6 months) may benefit from twice-daily micro-feeds for faster growth.
- Froglets (under 6 months): daily, even twice a day if under 1cm
- Juveniles (6–12 months): 5–6 days a week
- Adults: 3–5 days a week depending on species and weight
- Breeding adults: daily during active spawning/courtship cycles
📏 How Much to Feed
A good rule of thumb: as many prey items as your frogs will actively hunt and eat in 15–20 minutes. Don’t leave uneaten flies crawling overnight — especially in humid tanks.
- 1 adult frog: ~30–50 melanogaster flies per feed
- Group of 3–4: 100–150 flies
- Froglets: springtails, pinheads, or microworms — scatter lightly across leaf litter
🦟 What to Feed: A Varied Diet
Dart frogs in the wild consume a huge variety of small invertebrates. In captivity, we rely heavily on fruit flies, but variety is still key to long-term health.
- Melanogaster Fruit Flies: staple feeder for most species
- Hydei Fruit Flies: larger, good for tinctorius, auratus, and phyllobates
- Springtails: especially for froglets or clean-up crew bonus
- Isopods (dwarf whites): occasional snack in vivarium
- Pinhead Crickets: variety option — only for species that can handle slightly larger prey
- Microworms: froglets only
🌿 Vitamin Dusting: What, When & How
Dusting feeder insects is essential — especially in bioactive tanks where nutrients get diluted over time.
UK Dart Frog Supplement Schedule:
- Calcium + D3: 2x weekly
- Multivitamin (e.g. Repashy Calcium Plus or Arcadia EarthPro): 1x weekly
- Plain calcium: on any non-D3/non-multi day (optional)
Only dust what you’ll use that day — flies lose their dusting fast.
☀️ Do Dart Frogs Need UVB?
Short answer: not strictly — but small amounts may help with D3 synthesis, especially in large vivs or for frogs not eating well.
- UVB 2.0–5.0 T5 strips can be added to canopy for daytime cycle (8–10 hrs)
- Only install if your tank has shaded zones and lots of plant cover
- Helps stimulate natural behaviours and support calcium metabolism
🐸 Species Focus: How Diet Needs Vary
D. tinctorius
Big-bodied, bold feeders. Thrive on hydei flies, occasional pinheads. Don’t overfeed — they’ll balloon.
D. auratus
Shy eaters. Prefer low light, quiet feeds. Melanogaster and springtails work best. May skip meals under stress.
Ranitomeya species
Micro-prey specialists. Require small melanogaster and springtails daily when young. Quick to fade if underfed. More sensitive to vitamin balance.
Phyllobates terribilis
Large and aggressive feeders. Need high calcium and consistent vitamin dusting. Benefit most from UVB if available.
⏱️ When Should You Feed Dart Frogs?
Best time = early morning or late evening, when humidity is rising. That’s when they naturally forage in the wild.
- Morning (7–9am): encourages active hunting
- Evening (6–8pm): can help shy frogs or those in cooler rooms
- Never feed just before lights out: uneaten feeders = mould, mites, and stress
🧼 Clean-Up After Feeding
Don’t let feeders linger. Remove uneaten flies, especially in smaller or humid tanks. Excess protein + moisture = bacterial bloom and isopod explosions.
