African dwarf frogs are one of the famous pets among the amphibian lovers. For a long time, they have been part of almost all the home aquariums. These dwarf frogs live totally in water so you only need an aquatic aquarium for them. They are very easy to take care of with very little maintenance and you will enjoy years of companionship with the frogs. Here in this blog, we will explore the world of African dwarf frogs their needs, and complete details about them.
African Dwarf Frog Origin
In the 19th century, these frogs were first seen in streams, rivers, shallow ponds, and puddles in different areas of Central Africa. They are aquatic frogs and belong to the Hymenochirus genus, which is why they are often confused with another member of the species African clawed frogs. Although both of these amphibians look similar and belong to the Pipidae family they have different behavioral traits and physical traits. It is important to understand the difference between both of these frogs before the adoption process.
In the Natural Habitat
These small frogs are found in Nigeria, the Congo River basin, and Cameroon. Mostly these frogs live in slow-moving rivers and shallow ponds. These frogs are different from others as they spend most of their lives underwater and only come to the surface for air.
Appearance
As these frogs spend most of their lives in the bottom of ponds and rivers it's important that their color match with plants and mud. African dwarf frogs have a brown-green color with small black spots. This body color helps them blend in with the environment. Their belly has a lighter color and sometimes even look like silver.
Females are bigger than males and they have pear-shaped bodies rather than square shaped. You will see glands behind the front legs of male dwarf frogs, but females don’t have this. These glands help in determining the sex of your frog. African dwarf frogs grow only about three inches from the nose to the end of feet.
Choosing The Right Dwarf Frog Terrarium
When you are choosing the size of the aquarium there are different things that you need to consider like how many frogs you want to raise in it. These frogs are small in size, if you are planning to raise a single African dwarf frog then a 2.5-gallon aquarium is recommended, similarly a 5-gallon tank for two and 10 for 3 or more.
African dwarf frogs are completely aquatic but they have lungs so they will still frequently need to come to the surface for air. They have web feet so don’t put them in deep water because it will be difficult for them to swim in there. Don’t place them in a bigger aquarium that is deeper than 12 inches, otherwise, they will struggle to get air from the top.
One important thing to keep in mind when choosing the African dwarf frog terrarium is to secure it with a lid. They spend most of their life underwater and will not be able to spend 15 to 20 minutes on land because their skin will dry out. As you know African dwarf frogs get oxygen from the surface, so the best option is to use a screen.
Substrate
Sand and gravel can be used as substrates in the frog terrarium. Gravel is available in different colors and sizes, always put large aquarium gravel in the bottom because if the grains are very small the frog can eat them accidentally and suffer from digestive problems that can be fatal. It is always recommended to add the substrate in the frog terrarium but some frog keepers don’t add it because of the fear of their frogs consuming it. It is entirely up to you but substrate makes it easy to secure artificial and live plant decoration in the aquarium.
Filtration
For starters, a tank should be set up must be completely functional, and should run for two weeks before you put the frog in it. Substrate should be thick and the piece of gravel should not fit in the frog’s mouth. Frogs don’t like strong currents so a gentle submersible filter will work great. Keep in mind that under gravel bio wheels and filters can be dangerous as they can trap and kill your frog. Add a water conditioner in the tank that deactivates chloramine and chlorine. Monthly clean or change the water filter cartridge as necessary for the maintenance of the tank.
Always add filtered water in the frog terrarium because raw water is full of chemicals like chlorine and fluorides that can be toxic to frogs and plants. If you are using tap water remember to treat it with water conditioner and supplements before putting an African dwarf frog in it. Never use soap to wash the aquarium as it will leave residues in the tank that can make a frog sick.
Change the water every week and it's best to change at least 10-20% water after 3 to 4 weeks. If you are not using the filter then it's best to change the water on a weekly basis. Frogs are messy eaters and they shed regularly so water change is important. Avoid doing full water change as it can be fatal and shock the African dwarf frog.
Decoration
Different decorations can be used in the frog terrarium. Live plants can be used as they can keep the aquarium healthy and aerated. Frogs like good plant cover because they provide spots to hang out. One of the best and most inexpensive choices is the Antichrist. If the tank has a plant then there is no need for aerating devices.
Don’t use decorations that have sharp edges and are toxic to frogs. In the wild African dwarf frogs use different hiding places like logs or caves to protect themselves from hunting. African dwarf frogs are equally like real or artificial plants but if the plant has sharp edges it can tear the frog skin. Some wood decorations can alter the PH level of the water so avoid using them. Always consult an aquarium specialist before using any decoration.
Lighting
African dwarf frogs need 10-12 hours of light daily. They are nocturnal so a day and night cycle of light is needed. There is no need for UVB light like you use for other amphibian species. A regular LED light is sufficient for them, try putting the aquarium in the room with a window as natural sunlight is good for them.
Temperature
Keep the temperature around 72-78 Fahrenheit. The temperature should be similar to the habitat in the wild. A submersible thermometer and eater are essential for maintaining the temperature.
Feeding
African Dwarf Frogs are not easy to feed because they are not only slow but also picky eaters and they cannot compete with fish. Another problem that appears while feeding them is that they need a food source that can stay in the water for a long time without disintegration. As the dwarf frogs like to eat slowly, they may return to their food at another time to grab a bite.
One of the nutritious options for dwarf frogs is to feed them live black worms or frozen blood worms. The most common choice of food source for them is the frozen blood worms. The frozen worms take time to disintegrate so your frog has time to take a bite when wants another time. You can also feed them frozen dried blood worms but the issue with frozen dried worms is that they will float on the surface while blood worms will move down to the bottom when they defrost. The choice depends on you if you are a busy person and can’t feed them every day then live black worms are a good choice.
Black worms are not a common food option for dwarf frogs but they have their benefits. You can easily purchase black worms from a local fish store. Black worms are a longer-lasting food option because they are alive and will bury themselves in the gravel. This way they will live inside the tank and become a constant food source for African dwarf frogs. Black worms are also a great source of protein, so a high level of protein means your frog will be fat and healthy.
It is important to feed your frog high-quality food sources both black worms and blood worms are high-quality food. These food sources mean cleaner tanks and happier frogs. A food source that is not good for your frog is the food pellet. As you know African dwarf frogs eat very slowly and pellets dissolve in water very quickly so your pet will have less time to eat their meal before it disintegrates. More disintegrated food means more waste for your tank. If you want to feed pellets to your African dwarf frogs then it's best to put pellets in a petri dish in the tank, this way there are fewer chances of dispersal or lodging in the gravel.
African Dwarf Frog Behavior
These dwarf frogs can live in small groups and are very sociable. They are also very social with fish of the same size but you should choose their tank mates carefully as adult frogs will eat fry and small fish. A common behavior of African dwarf frogs that most owners are very concerned about is the frogs hugging each other and not leaving for up to a day or more. This behavior is normal as it indicates the mating progress. Usually, males are skinnier and females are wider so if there a large and small frogs hugging each other there is no need to be concerned.
Lifespan
African Dwarf Frogs are different from other amphibians but with proper diet and care they can live a long life. They can live up to 4 to 5 years in good condition. Their long-term health also depends on the condition at the time you purchase them.
Tank Mates
African Dwarf Frogs are very social and they can live peacefully with other tank mates. They also add fun to any kind of fish aquarium. There are many great tank mates like corydoras, peaceful tetras, and guppies. You can also add snails, and freshwater shrimps in the frog tank. However, you should keep in mind that any tank mate you add should be large enough so that they cannot be eaten by hungry frogs.
FAQS
Can African Dwarf Frogs Live In Small Tanks?
You will often see these frogs in places like mall kiosks, and pet stores, and they advertise them as good in living in very small aquariums. If the aquarium is too small there will be less space for waste to dissolve. If there is a high concentration of waste in the tank it means the animals will be less healthy and more time is spent on the tank cleaning. By investing in good tanks and better food the frog will be happier and healthier.
Can African Dwarf Frogs Live On Land?
African dwarf frogs spend most of their life in water. They have to come to the surface for air because they have no gills. If they come on land their skin will dry out and die.
How Many Times Should You Feed African Dwarf Frogs?
These frogs are fed once daily and allowed to eat them as much as they can in a few minutes.
How Many Dwarf Frogs You Can Keep In One Tank?
It depends on the size of the tank in 5 gallon tank you can keep 2 frogs and in 20 gallons tank 4 to 8 frogs.
How You Will Know That Your African Dwarf Frog Is Happy?
There are a few things that will help you know that your African dwarf frog is happy in the tank:
- You can find them actively swimming in the tank.
- Their skin and eyes will be clear.
- They are social with their tank mates.
- Eating the food regularly and quickly.
Conclusion
African dwarf frogs are good aquarium pets and a great addition to any tank. They are social, easy to maintain and if you provide them good food you will have a happy and healthy frog in the tank.