Four main parameters need to be considered.

SPACE: Although mantellas are small frogs, they need quite a large amount of room per each individual frog, since they are territorial. For example, I have 7 aurantiaca (4.3) in a tank that is 30 inches by 18 inches by 18 inches, and I would not recommend adding any more. In fact, in the spring, when they become more active, I may take at least one of the males out.

LIGHTING: In many species strong lighting seems to be required, of a type closely mirroring ‘full spectrum’ / ‘natural sun light’ quality. Certainly in species such as aurantiaca strong lighting seems to be required.

TEMPERATURE: It appears that adult mantellas (at least) are very tolerant of cold temperatures, but not so of hotter temperatures. Thus I aim to keep my mantellas between 18-25 Celsius during the day time, with a drop of a few degrees at night. Although I am keeping four different species, they all seem to be OK with the same temperature range.

HUMIDITY: Since mantellas are amphibians constantly high humidity is required. However, during the winter ‘rest’ period, lower humidity levels are acceptable. I fit my vivaria with mesh lids that allow good air circulation, and I maintain humidity by spraying the tank using a hand-held house plant sprayer usually once a day. Where water is obtained from is an important consideration: I used to get water from my Mum’s pond, since I reasoned that this would be well aged, free from chemicals, etc. However, after advice provided by the Zoological Society of London, I became wary of using pond water. This proved a potentially life-saving move given that our native frogs experienced mass mortality over the summer of 2002. (More details in the Conservation Portal – to be added soon.) Now, I use bottled mineral water (pH 7.4). I would assume that aged tap water would also be satisfactory, and I do use tap water on occasion.