Adult: Species description based on Savage (2002). A tiny rocket frog (male to 20 mm, females to 23 mm). Males have a swollen middle finger. Dorsal: The dorsal surface is dark brown; the coloration becomes black along the sides. The brown and black portions are separated by a thin cream-colored line that extends from the groin forward to the eye. A second light line extending from the upper lip to the groin borders the black sides below; this line is more evident in males because the throat and chest are black. The upper surface of the thigh is mottled brown. Ventral: The ventral surface is pale yellow, except in males. Concealed surfaces: Some red-orange coloration is apparent where mottling is not extensive.
Breeding season: Breeding takes place year-round (Savage 2002). Males call during the early morning and late afternoon from territories on the forest floor (Savage 2002). Tadpole: The body of the tadpole is oval-shaped, with a long tai, and very low tail fins (Savage 2002). Tadpoles are brown above, pale below (Savage 2002). Some darker pigmentation is generally present (Savage 2002).
Habitat: Lowland and premontane forest to 860 m. Ecology: Silverstoneia nubicola is a diurnal inhabitant of leaf litter (Savage 2002). Call: A rapid series of "peets" (Ibanez and Smith 1995) Behavior and communication: Females deposit their eggs in leaf litter in the territories of males (Savage 2002). Males carry hatchlings to streams to continue development (Savage 2002). Type locality: rain forest above Boquete on the trail to Chiriquà Grande, 4500 feet [1372 m] (Panama)