If you are looking for a lively, low maintenance addition to your fish tank, consider the Dwarf African Frog. This particular frog spends its entire life underwater, only rising to the surface when it needs to take a breath. They are an excellent companion for fish, but be careful as they may be eaten by larger fish. Though they are quite active, they often miss out at meal times to faster fish.
Dwarf African Frogs for Aquariums:
Though they are a fully aquatic species of frog, don’t be fooled; the Dwarf African frog still needs to be able to access the surface in order to breathe. They are quite small, only two inches when fully outstretched, and are an olive green with small black spots. They have an average life span of 5 years; however some have been known to live up to 20 years! Tongueless and toothless, they use their front feet to shove food into their mouths and down their throat while their back legs are used to tear food apart before being ingested. When you first receive your Dwarf African Frog it may have small claws on its back legs, but it will lose them on the pebbles of your substrate. While normally quite active, it is not uncommon to come upon your Dwarf African frog hanging motionless in the water, with one foot touching the sand or floating motionless at the top of your tank.
Care:
Do NOT keep these frogs in tanks that are more than 20 inches in height. Long but shallow is best. Additionally, they are not great swimmers so they should not be in a tank with a strong current. Make sure to provide a tight lid for your aquarium so they don’t hop out. Water temperatures should be between 75-82˚F with a pH between 6.5-7.5. Lots of plants, driftwood and rock are recommended so your frog has places to hide and play.
Diet:
While Dwarf African frogs are happy to eat some debris, they are carnivores and require meat in their diets. Because they are slow feeders it is important to ensure that they are receive adequate nutrition and if you are concerned, consider squirting the food directly to the bottom of the tank via a turkey baster. Dwarf African frogs enjoy blood worms, brine shrimp, frozen beefheart, and small earthworms.
Size: 2 Inches
Freshwater/ Saltwater: Freshwater
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Compatibility: NA
Tank Mate Compatibility: 7
Lifespan: Up to 20 Years
