[1][7] Although it has been classified as a Least Concern species by the IUCN as of 2016, due to its relatively wide distribution, population trends are technically unknown, and it may be threatened by several sources of habitat loss.

[1] Though only 28–32 mm in length at maturity, this species is one of the largest in the 16-species genus,[8] dwarfed only by some individuals of Mantella viridis.

[7][8] However, a wide variety of phenotypes exist, which manifest in front limb colors ranging from light greens to vibrant oranges and yellows, and are sometimes mistaken or imported into the international marketplace as Mantella cowanii.

[10] Male M. baroni emit "intense sequences of short, single-click notes during the day"[7] in order to assert their territory or attract females for mating.

Females can lay up to 130 unpigmented eggs in a single clutch, and almost always do so near a source of water, into which the resulting tadpoles get washed by rainwater.

[7][10] Its diet consists mainly of ants,[7][10] while also consuming a number of other types of arthropods like beetles, spiders, and mites.

[8] Human activity may influence the level of Mantella toxicity by polluting the environment, killing its sources of food and limiting an otherwise diversified diet, so remote populations may be more potent.