The word frog conjures images of enormous, verdant amphibians with bulging eyes leaping through the grass. Before we started keeping African dwarf frogs, that’s what we thought frogs looked like. Despite being a popular pet item for 40 years, these unusual and interesting amphibians are still not as well-known as toads, bullfrogs, or treefrogs. Anyone thinking about adopting an african dwarf frog and wanting to make sure it has all it needs to live a long, healthy life will find some useful information here.

African Dwarf Frogs: Where They Came From

The African dwarf frog was first found in Central African rivers, streams, puddles, and shallow ponds in the late 19th century. It is a member of the Hymenochirus genus of aquatic frogs and looks very similar to the African clawed frogs, which are also in its group. However, beginner amphibian keepers should be aware that these two species, although closely related, have distinct physical and behavioral characteristics.

The Art of Male and Female African dwarf frog Identification

You can tell a male African dwarf frog from a female by looking for a few telltale signs. Upon maturation, male African dwarf frogs tend to shrink in stature, acquire tiny glands known as post-axillary subdermal glands, have a diminutive tail, and emit a raucous “buzz” when agitated or attempting to woo a potential mate. Compared to males, females grow bigger, take on a pear form, get longer tails, and don’t buzz. Nighttime is usually when you’ll hear the most buzzing from the males. Little frogs of Africa are active at night. Living in nature, they sleep during the day and search for food at night.

Selecting the Appropriate Aquarium

The number of african dwarf frog you intend to keep as pets dictates the optimal size of aquarium for their care. One African dwarf frog needs a 2.5-gallon aquarium since they are so tiny—they can only reach a maximum size of 3 inches. Two fish should be housed in a 5-gallon aquarium, and any number of fish beyond that should be placed in a 10- to 20-gallon aquarium. Despite spending all their time in the water, African dwarf frogs must sometimes surface to breathe air since they have lungs. They have trouble swimming in deep water due of their webbed feet. If your aquarium is deeper than 12 inches, you should not put them in it. They risk drowning if their tank is too deep and they can’t get to the top to breathe.

Setting Up Your African Dwarf Frog Aquarium

As with all herps, maintaining a proper living environment for your African dwarf frog is key to preventing stress, disease and a shortened life. For optimal living space setup and maintenance, the following suggestions are recommended:

• Maintain water temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal environment for an African dwarf frog would be water with temperatures comparable to those on its continent. A submersible heater and digital thermometer are needed to maintain these temperatures.

• Maintain PH levels between 6.5 and 7.8. These levels can be monitored regularly using PH testing kits.

• Use large aquarium gravel to cover the bottom of the tank. Gravel comes in different sizes and colors. If the grains are too small, the frogs can accidentally consume it and have difficulty digesting it. This could lead to impaction and can be fatal. Sand is another option for substrate. It is recommended that a substrate be used in any aquarium, but some African dwarf frog keepers opt out of using substrate in fear of their frogs consuming it. Although it’s a matter of taste, substrates facilitate anchoring real and fake plant ornaments in aquariums.

• Keep the aquarium covered at all times. Dwarf frogs from Africa can only stay submerged for around fifteen to twenty minutes, as they spend their entire lives in water. Their only chance of survival is to flee before their skin dries up. Remember that African dwarf frogs thrive in environments with surface oxygen, so a screen lid is your best bet. Keep the top slightly ajar so your frog can still breathe even if you’re using a solid lid.

• Big filters should not be used. Because they lack ears, African dwarf frogs are extremely noise sensitive. The lateral lines on their body serve as a feeling of vibration for these creatures. Large filters can bring on stress and illness. Additionally, these frogs like calm water, so avoid having strong water currents created by the aquarium’s filtration. We advise using an under-gravel filter. Feel free to consult an aquarium expert, online or in-store, whenever you have any doubts. It is not necessary to have an aquarium for African dwarf frogs if the tank is small and well-maintained.

• Keep the aquarium lit for at least 10 to 12 hours per day. Being nocturnal, African dwarf frogs need a consistent pattern of light and darkness. Unlike many amphibian and reptile species, they do not require ultraviolet B lighting. A simple LED hood light will do the trick. Keep the aquarium away from any room that doesn’t have windows. It will also function adequately in rooms that receive natural sunshine.

• Keep your aquarium watered with purified water. All aquatic life is at risk from the dangerous compounds in raw water, including chloramine and fluoride. Before returning the African dwarf frog to its native pond, supplement the tap water with antibacterial vitamins and add water conditioners. Don’t use soap when cleaning the tanks. Soap residue in the tank can be harmful to the frogs.

• Change the water every two weeks. Ten to twenty-five percent of the water should be replaced every two to four weeks. If you don’t have a filter, you should change the water in your aquarium once a week. Not only can frogs shed, but they also tend to be somewhat messy eaters. Stay away from doing complete water changes. African dwarf frogs may experience stress and even shock, which can be lethal.

• Do not use any sharp or poisonous ornaments in your aquarium. Due of their vulnerability to predators in the environment, African dwarf frogs need hiding spots like caves or logs. Real or fake plants are fine for African dwarf frogs, but be careful around plants with sharp edges, as they might rip the frog’s skin. Toxins included in some wood decorations can raise water pH levels. When in doubt, consult an aquatic specialist—either online or in-store—for advice on the best decorations to employ.

Diet Recommended Foods

Specialized aquatic frog sinking pellets, freeze-dried bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, and live blackworms are all part of a healthy diet for an African dwarf frog. Dwarf frogs in Africa depend on their other senses—smell and touch—to find food because they can’t see well. They need their food broken up into little pieces and given in small portions because they don’t have teeth or tongues to aid with chewing.

Inside the aquarium, on a ceramic terra cotta dish, or with a pair of tweezers, you can feed them. They should have their food dropped in front of them so they may utilize their sense of smell and touch to discover it more quickly because their vision is so bad. In their natural environments, they forage for food in the evening, so that’s when you should feed them. Because of their small stomachs, it is important to feed them once or twice daily to ensure proper digestion. As quickly as possible, remove any remaining food from the aquarium so that the water does not become contaminated. Stress, illness, and an overabundance of waste in the water could result from overfeeding.

Be careful to check the nutrition facts labels before buying food. Not only should it contain 40-50 percent protein, but it should also be specifically designed for aquatic frogs.

Health Indicators for African Dwarf Frogs

Knowing whether an African dwarf frog is healthy or sick is essential when shopping for one and caring for it in an aquarium. When an African dwarf frog is in good health, you should see:

• Vigorously swimming in and out of the aquarium
• Frequently taking refuge in their aquarium hiding spots
• Healthy skin and eyes
• Communicative with their keepers and other swimming fish
• Routinely and swiftly devouring their meals
• They spend the most of their time submerged beneath the water’s surface.

When an African dwarf frog is sick, it shows symptoms like:

• Lack of hunger
• Hazy or swollen eyes
• Symptoms include an excess of gas, a lack of reaction to their owners or tankmates, reddish-pink patches on their legs, white fuzzy patches or spots on their skin, an inability to settle into a comfortable swimming position, and a noticeable decrease in body weight.

African dwarf frogs, when given the right environment and care, have a lifespan of five to ten years. A few live for ten to fifteen years.

Shedding           

The average African dwarf frog sheds its skin 2-4 times monthly. Their bodies will seem white before they molt. There are several reasons why African dwarf frogs expel their skin. The primary cause is associated with the way they naturally mature. What happens is that they eat their waste, which is a sign that they are making up for the nutrients they lost when they shed. You can safely leave the shed in the aquarium because it is normal. Fungal infections, bad water quality, or extreme changes to water parameters are some unhealthy reasons they could shed. Keep this in mind whenever you change the water, feed the frog, or put in new decorations or substrates for the tank.

An issue with the water’s quality may be at play if they shed more frequently than once every few days. A white, nearly intact shedding is an indicator of a healthy shed. It will be discolored and come off in small flakes if your shedding is unhealthy. Getting the unhealthy shed off might be a challenge for frogs at times. The inability of the frog’s skin to revert to its original dark hue after shedding is another indicator of unhealthy shedding. Your sick frog will still have a white appearance all over its body.

Conclusion

The experience of keeping african dwarf frog is one of a kind and educational for those who love the water. With the right conditions, food, and friends, you can keep these fascinating amphibians (like turtles) in your home aquarium and enjoy their vivacious antics and peaceful presence. With the excitement and intrigue that comes from caring for these charming critters, aquarists that embrace the care of African Dwarf Frogs will appreciate them as cherished additions to any aquatic environment.

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Pet N Plants, a passionate group of authors who are devoted pet and nature enthusiasts. With over 15 years of experience in pet and plant care, our authors bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep love for all things flora and fauna. Each member of our team is dedicated to sharing insightful tips, detailed care guides, and the latest trends to help you nurture your beloved pets and plants. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a pet parent, our experts are here to support your journey in creating a thriving, vibrant home environment for all your living companions.

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