Trachycephalus resinifictrix — Fact Sheet
Trachycephalus resinifictrix · Trachycephalus resinifictrix · Amazon milk frog
📋 At a glance
| Adult size | 8-12 cm |
| Lifespan | 8-15 years |
| Subspecies | No captive-care subspecies split |
| Origin | Amazon Basin forests of northern South America, where it uses tree holes and water-filled |
| Activity | Nocturnal |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Legal | CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply |
🏠 Enclosure
- Aquarium, paludarium, or terrarium matched to aquatic, semi-aquatic, terrestrial, or arboreal lifestyle
- Adult size must allow normal movement, stable water/soil conditions, and multiple hides
- Substrate: safe aquatic sand/bare bottom for aquatic species, drainage and leaf litter for terrestrial frogs
- Avoid sharp decor, contaminated water, soap residue, and mixed-species setups
🪨 Enclosure furniture
- Hides, plants, leaf litter, cork, water area, and climbing/resting surfaces as appropriate
- Easy access between land and water for semi-aquatic species
- No rough decor that damages delicate skin
💡 Lighting
- Strong lighting is usually unnecessary; planted setups may use moderate LEDs
- Low-level UVB can be useful for some species but must be paired with shade
- Keep a stable day-night rhythm
- Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no constant night light
🌡️ Temperature
Basking spot: not used
Warm zone: 20-24 °C
Cool zone: 18-22 °C
Night: 16-20 °C
Clear gradient required; the animal must be able to move between warm, cool, and hidden zones
Measure basking surfaces with an infrared thermometer and ambient zones with digital probes
Avoid heat rocks and unguarded heat sources
💧 Humidity & water
- Stable clean water or high humidity according to species
- Dechlorinate all water and monitor aquarium parameters for aquatic amphibians
- Ventilation must prevent stagnant moldy air
- Avoid sudden temperature, pH, or moisture changes
🪳 Diet
Feed regularly:
- Earthworms, roaches, crickets, fruit flies, or aquatic foods sized to the species
In moderation:
- Waxworms, mealworms, and rich foods
Avoid:
- Wild-caught insects, oversized prey, hard sharp prey, feeder fish
Supplements:
- Gut-load feeders; use calcium/vitamins carefully for terrestrial frogs and none in aquarium water
🩺 Health — warning signs
- Red or inflamed skin → water quality, infection, or toxin issue
- Curled gills or surface gulping → water quality/flow/temperature problem
- Refusal to eat → temperature, stress, or disease
- Bloating → serious illness or water-balance issue
- Shedding problems → humidity, water quality, or skin disease
Consult a reptile- or exotic-animal veterinarian for severe weakness, injury, breathing signs, swelling, or prolonged refusal to eat.