Dart frog tadpoles can be left for rearing by their parents. This is worth doing because the natural behavior of the frogs is so interesting. After the eggs are laid one of the parents will guard them until the eggs have developed in to fully formed tadpoles. When these tadpoles are ready to hatch the adult will place it's vent against the eggs with the frogs back legs wrapped around the jelly mass. The frog presses its legs together slightly while curving it's back to form a hallow. The tads wriggle out of the gel and on to the frog. The frog twitches every few seconds causing the tadpoles to move around until they are situated correctly on the frog's back.The parent will carry the tadpoles on its back for a day or two, until it finds a suitable body of water to drop them off. The adult frog then submerses partly in the water and the tadpoles slowly wriggle away. Often the pared will drop only one or two tadpoles off per pool.

In some cases it is desirable to raise tadpoles in an artificial setting or in such a way to maximize survival rates. Information, bellow, is given to help with either of these needs or give a background on the frogs preferences.

Leave Tadpoles in Tank

The eggs of the true "Egg Feeders", such as pumilio and lamhanii, should be left with their parents. The tadpoles of these frogs, so far, do not take well to artificial foods or rearing. In their parents care they will grow quickly on the eggs supplied by their mother. Make sure the parents receive a varied diet and a lot of food as the females will be putting significant amounts of energy in to feeding their young.

Rearing Tadpoles Separately

Some tadpoles are cannibalistic and so if they are forced to share the same pool the weaker animals will be consumed by the stronger. In many cases the tadpole is nibbled on but not killed and consumed. Other tadpoles are allelopathic, producing chemicals that hinder the growth of other tadpoles.Connected to these factors the parents only drop off one tadpole per pool and these tadpoles grow well with one tadpole per volume of water.

Rearing Tadpoles Together

If food is readily available it is an evolutionary positive for tadpoles not to be cannibalistic toward you siblings. This way more froglest with the genes of the parents can be produced. Tadpoles of this type can grow well while sharing the same pool with clutch mates, (or tadpoles from other clutches but of similar age).