🐸 General Info

Fire Belly Toads (Bombina orientalis), also called Oriental Fire Bellies, are small, hardy, semi-aquatic amphibians found across China, Korea, and parts of Russia. They are named for their vibrant red or orange bellies, which serve as a warning to predators. Their dorsal coloration is bright green with black mottling, making them highly attractive display animals.

They are active, bold, and very easy to keep, making them excellent amphibians for beginners and experienced keepers alike. Adults typically reach 1.5–2.5 inches, and their semi-aquatic nature requires both land and water in the enclosure.

Fire belly toads are diurnal, extremely active, and social—thriving best in groups of 3–6. With proper care, they can live 10–15+ years in captivity.

1. Enclosure

Size

Fire belly toads need a horizontal setup with both land and water.

  • Small Groups (2–3): 10–15 gallons

  • 4–6 Toads: 20 gallons minimum

  • Ideal: Wide, shallow semi-aquatic setups

They thrive in aquatic-terrestrial paludarium-style enclosures.

Material

  • Glass aquariums

  • Front-opening terrariums

  • Semi-aquatic paludariums

They require:

  • Excellent ventilation

  • A secure escape-proof lid

Substrate

For the land area, use:

  • Coconut fiber

  • Eco Earth

  • Sphagnum moss

  • Soil mixes (no fertilizers or chemicals)

For the water section, include:

  • Smooth river stones

  • Aquarium-safe gravel

  • Live or artificial aquatic plants

A gentle land slope or divider should create distinct land and water zones.

Décor

  • Cork bark platforms

  • Floating logs

  • Aquatic plants (Anubias, Java fern, pothos)

  • Sturdy land plants

  • Hides on both land and water edges

They enjoy shallow water and numerous places to perch.

2. Temperature & Lighting

Temperature

Fire belly toads prefer cooler environments.

  • Daytime ambient: 72–76°F

  • Night: 65–70°F

  • Avoid temps above 78°F, as they can stress or overheat.

Lighting

They are diurnal and benefit from a regular light cycle.

  • 12-hour day/night cycle

  • Low-intensity UVB is optional but beneficial

    • Recommended: 2.0–5.0 UVB

Heating

Most keepers do not need supplemental heating unless room temps drop too low.

  • If needed, use a low-wattage heat source

  • Avoid strong heat bulbs or high-output lamps

Do not use hot rocks.

3. Humidity & Water

Humidity

Maintain 50–70% humidity.

They thrive with:

  • A large water section

  • Regular misting

  • Live plants

  • Partially covered lid if needed

Water

Because they are semi-aquatic, water quality is critical.

Provide:

  • At least 50% of the enclosure as water

  • Shallow, filtered water

  • Smooth ramps and exits to prevent drowning

  • Clean, dechlorinated water ONLY

  • Weekly full water changes or a gentle filtration system

Fire belly toads often spend much of their time floating or swimming.

4. Diet

Fire belly toads are insectivores with strong feeding responses.

Staple Foods

  • Crickets

  • Small dubia roaches

  • Earthworms

  • Black soldier fly larvae

  • Flightless fruit flies (for juveniles)

  • Small hornworms

  • Waxworms (occasional treat)

Feeding Schedule

  • Juveniles: 4–6 times weekly

  • Adults: 2–4 times weekly

Feed prey items that are appropriately sized—generally no larger than the width of their head.

Supplements

  • Calcium: 2–3x per week

  • Multivitamin: 1x per week

Avoid feeding wild-caught insects due to pesticide risks.

5. Behavior & Handling

Temperament

Fire belly toads are:

  • Bold

  • Active

  • Social

  • Vocal

  • Excellent display animals

They do not like handling due to their sensitive skin and toxin-secreting ability.

Handling

Avoid handling unless absolutely necessary.

If you must:

  • Wash hands before and after

  • Use clean, wet hands

  • Handle minimally and briefly

Their skin absorbs chemicals, and they secrete mild toxins when stressed.

Enrichment

  • Aquatic plants

  • Floating platforms

  • Land foliage

  • Rocks and hides

  • Varied perches

  • Complex semi-aquatic habitat

They thrive in interactive, enriched enclosures.

6. Health & Lifespan

Lifespan

10–15+ years with proper care.

Common Health Issues

  • Red leg syndrome (bacterial infections)

  • Skin infections from dirty water or poor hygiene

  • Toxin buildup from unfiltered or unclean water

  • Nutritional deficiencies without supplements

  • Parasites, especially in wild-caught specimens

Signs of Illness

  • Lethargy

  • Abnormal floating

  • Poor appetite

  • Swollen limbs

  • Redness or lesions on skin

  • Difficulty swimming

  • Weight loss or bloating

Vet Care

Seek an amphibian-experienced veterinarian at the first signs of illness.

Final Notes

Fire belly toads are colorful, hardy, semi-aquatic amphibians that thrive in well-maintained paludariums with clean water, stable temps, and plenty of enrichment. Their bold green pattern, bright warning bellies, and active behavior make them outstanding display animals. With proper care, they are long-lived, entertaining, and ideal for both beginners and seasoned amphibian keepers.