Appearing very similar in body structure and pattern to Mantella expectata is a frog whose current taxonomic status is unclear. It differs in several ways. First, the yellow or greenish color on the dorsum is replaced with orange or tan, brightening to a fiery red posteriorly. This same red color is often speckled or blotched on the limbs as well, much in the same way yellow is present on the limbs of certain M. expectata. The limbs themselves are grayish or slightly blue. They do not appear to grow as large as M. expectata, but have the same, stout, robust body structure of that species.
This species of Mantella has been made available in recent years, being sold under a handful of names. Most often, they seem to be imported to the United States as M. expectata, and are sometimes sold as that species, or are called “red-backed” M. expectata. Two common names frequently used by dealers and hobbyists are “blushing mantella” and “sunrise mantella”. Some hobbyists have put forward that this frog is a hybrid between M. ebenaui and M. expectata, but there is no evidence to support this claim.
In captivity, blushing mantellas seem to do well under the same care as M. expectata, being kept warm and with low humidity levels for much of the year. They have bred in captivity on a number of occasions.
Mantella sp. Photo Gallery
Submit additional photographs to devin@amphibiancare.com
References
(Photo by Corey Wickliffe) 
