African Dwarf Frogs!

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I've got a 4-gallon BioOrb aquarium (awesome tank!) as entertainment for my kittehs that I kept a betta, Rafael, in until he passed on a couple of months ago. I was at the pet store about 3 weeks ago to buy a goldfish. The clerks were very busy, so I was hanging around the tank waiting, watching the fish to make sure he/she seemed healthy. He/she was the only fish in the tank, which can be a good thing. I was watching the fish swim, when all of a sudden, I saw something dart to the top & down again. It was a dinky African Dwarf Frog! I looked closer and there were about 5 or 6 of them in the tank. When I finally got waited on, I did an impulse buy (something I NEVER do with living creatures!) and got 2 frogs too.

I've got to say, those two little frogs are the most charming creatures I've ever had in an aquarium! The kittehs like the goldfish better, because he's a very fast swimmer and they love that. We originally named the goldfish Kramer, but now call him "Crackhead". Anyway, the two frogs, Jake & Elwood, are a riot to watch. They're a non-descript color, but they have loads of personality and are very energetic. I discovered that Jake (the larger, rounder of the two) is probably a female. I can watch them for hours. They get into these "Zen" positions that are absolutely hilarious. I feed them reconstituted, freeze-dried bloodworms, and they (and Crackhead) just love them.

Well, I just wanted to recommend them to anyone with an aquarium to consider African Dwarf Frogs. They are absolute treasures! :hug:

Diane

Anishnabe in MI

[haele]

1. You need to make sure that they have easy access to the top of the aquarium

Something similar to a ledge that would be no less than about an inch below the water, or some sort of floating pad that they can rest near and still be able to breath - they are shallow water air breathers like bettas, but unlike bettas, they "jump" to get their required twice an hour or so breath of air, and can tire out if there aren't various levels to hang out at over the course of a day. A full sized 20 gallon tank is usually too deep for them if there aren't levels where they can rest and not have to expend all their energy jumping.
We bought a pair from PetSmart a few years ago, and even though I thought we had asked all the right questions, we hadn't, and they died within two months. The kidlet was heartbroken, and forbade any future frogs unless she could have a turtle aquarium that would be shallow enough to support both turtles and frogs.
Our local aquarium/fish specialist store sells them and informed us about the levels and ledge; he had frogs that were about five years old in a shallow 50 gallon tank.
They are cute buggers, and they have personality, just as bettas do.
(BTW, I've heard bettas described as "the knuckleheads of the fish world")

Haele

[catbyte]

2. I think I'm ok there...

The aquarium is only about 1.5 ft. high and I've got it heavily "planted" with silk plants of all shapes & sizes. The froggies love to perch on the fake Anubias lanceolota about 1.5" from the top of the tank, then dart upwards. They have about 3" of clearance/air before they get to the light. They are also partial to the silk Giant Baby Tears near the bottom and another plant that looks like an alien --sort of lily pads on stems. (I forgot what it is.) I don't have any plastic plants because I read they could scratch their delicate little feet. I have those 1/2 marble things on the bottom along with the lavarock medium that came with the aquarium and they seem to like it. I've been changing at least 30% of water every week and the water is as clear as a bell. I hope I'm meeting their needs because they are cute little guys.

Thanks so much for the input! :hi:

Diane

Anishnabe in MI

Screw Columbus

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3. BTW, I love your fur family

My DH and I are owned by 8 felines: Junior, Rufus, Sophie, Ziggy, Taz, Leo, Spot & Nigel. They range in age from 21 to 11. Our 21 year-old Tuxedo cat, Junior, just passed his physical with flying colors. Our vet is amazed--she's never seen a cat as old as him in such good shape. She said that he looks like a 10 year-old and has the system of a 10 year-old. He's awesome, but so are all our other cats. All of them are rescues or strays.

Well, thanks again!

Diane

Anishnabe in MI

[InvisibleTouch]

4. They are cool, but delicate.

The larger species of African clawed frog (Xenopus) is just about unkillable, but the little guys (Hymenochirus) are difficult. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but don't be too surprised if they do fine for you for a few weeks, and then suddenly die without warning. That, at least, has been my experience with this species. I have one remaining female who is doing just great after over a year, but all the others I have tried, have made it at most to 6 weeks. I've tried every kind of water: conditioned tap water, rainwater, aged aquarium water. Doesn't seem to make a difference. It could be just something in my area (Midwest) in the water that's causing the problem, and you will have better luck - I certainly hope so!

Go easy on the live blackworms when you feed them. They can and will eat too much if you let them. They also like small earthworms and mosquito larvae in season. They're not really jumpers, but if given an easy opportunity they will climb out of the tank and dry up, so be sure you have a cover on the top, or enough space between the water surface and the top rim.

Look for a small white patch just behind the armpit in the males. Females are lacking this.

Good luck!

[catbyte]

5. Thanks for the advice!

I've had them almost a month now and so far, so good. I've been using mostly bottled spring water, not drinking water or distilled water because of the heavy metals that may be present. Two weeks ago I also used tap water aged overnight then treated with that bottled water conditioner stuff. They were ok. Actually, one or both are shedding their skin now. I've managed to scoop a little of it out of the water--weird, but apparently natural for them.

I have noticed that both froggies and the goldfish are pigs, but I limit their intake. My cats have begun to really watch the frogs now.

Well, thanks again for the advice. I HOPE it's not the midwest water!!!!!

Diane


Anishnabe in MI