African Dwarf Frog Care

The African dwarf frog or Hymenochirus Curtipes, as known scientifically, is an aquatic creature which thrives entirely under water. However, it has to come up to the surface to get some air into its lungs. As the name suggests, this species is found all over the African continent and the bulk of its population comes from the Congo area. This frog is often confused with the African clawed frog which is larger and more aggressive by nature. The African dwarf frog is small-sized and does not weigh more than a few ounces. It is mostly earth toned and bears a life expectancy of about 5-15 years.

How To Care for African Dwarf Frogs

Home
One gallon of clean and de-chlorinated water per frog is the required quantity to fill up a tank, which should have a temperature not below 70ºF. Very high or deep tanks are not recommended for an African dwarf frog. The frog is not an impressive swimmer and so it would get on its nerves to swim so high and get a gush of air! The aquarium must contain a lid and avoid overcrowding as it causes stress among the frogs. Keep in mind not to have holes in the aquarium top, except a few air silts. Why? Well, dogs bark and frogs jump!

Food
The African dwarf frog enjoys gulping on live guppy fry, dried bloodworms, glassworms, tadpole bites, reptomin, gammarus, dried krill, baby shrimp, frozen beefheart, earthworms, nightcrawlers choped into small bite sized pieces. Drop the foods near the pet, it makes it easy to find them. Also remember to place the food in the same place every time.

Environment
Plants form a major part of the African dwarf frog habitat. They make the frog feel secure and at home. You can decide on any kind of living plants for your pet. The most preferable is the anubias nana which has broad thick leaves and thus, offers a great hiding places for the frog. You can also grow a bamboo plant in the aquarium. Apart from setting up a suitable environment for the frog, it would provide nutrients, as well.

Diseases
Caring for an African dwarf frog also demands for keeping a close watch on different illnesses which may affect the creature. Look for symptoms such as cloudy eyes and poor or lack of appetite. You would also have to maintain the pH level of the water of the aquarium. For this species, a pH of 7.2 - 7.6 is good enough!

Some Quick Facts

One fact about African dwarf frogs which make them great pets is their sedentary-less behavior. You will hardly find your pet sitting idle and doing nothing. Instead you can watch them frolicking in the water for hours.

The African dwarf frog habitat in the wild consists of shallow rivers, creeks and ponds. These creature prefer eating and playing near the bottom where they can be safe from predators and hide while they sleep.

When mating season is on the call, male African dwarf frogs generally make a low humming noise in order to attract the females. It is known, mostly in the wild and rarely in an aquarium, that during the African dwarf frog breeding season, the male bears on a darker complexion and develops enlarged inner arms.

The African dwarf frogs have the reputation of being very socialized creatures; they love to mingle with other frogs! It is hard to find any one of these species to remain secluded by itself out in the wild.

And this would do it for the facts! By now you must have had a good idea on the requirements for keeping an African dwarf frog as a pet. So, get some of these 'froggies' home and remember what Cameron Diaz once quoted, "I'd kiss a frog even if there was no promise of a Prince Charming popping out of it. I love frogs."