Hyloxalus bocagei is a species of frog in the family Dendrobatidae. It is found on the northeastern side of the Andes in Ecuador (Sucumbíos, Orellana, and Napo Provinces) and in Colombia (Cordillera Oriental in the Caquetá Department). The specific name bocagei honors José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage, a Portuguese zoologist. Common name Bocage's rocket frog has been coined for this species.
Males measure 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) and females 24–30 mm (0.94–1.18 in) in snout–vent length. Dorsum is olive-brown with dark brown dorsal blotches and flanks with a dark brown stripe. There are oblique lateral stripes extending from anterior corner of the eye to the groin, with cream and golden traces, olive-tan anteriorly. Two small golden glands are at each side of the eye. Iris is golden with small black flecks. Tympanum is cream-coloured. Ventral surfaces are uniformly gray. Skin of dorsum, limbs, flanks and venter smooth, but some specimens have scattered tubercles posterior to the sacral region and on flanks.
Tadpoles have a ventrally located oral disc. They have brown, golden glittered dorsum and pinkish tail with brown and golden spots in the dorsoanterior portion. Ventrally they are translucent, with two very conspicuous silver marks at anterior portion. There is also a golden mark on dorsal fin, just behind its base. The total length ranges between 11.8 and 34 mm (0.46 and 1.34 in) (Gosner stages 25–36). Tail is about two thirds of the total length. Recently metamorphosed juvenile frogs measure 9.6–12.5 mm (0.38–0.49 in) in snout–vent length.
Call of male Hyloxalus bocagei is a long trill consisting of paired notes. Calling males have been observed in late morning. Eggs are deposited amidst leaf litter on the forest floor, and the male attends the eggs. Upon hatching, the tadpoles climb onto the back of the male, who transports them to water.
