 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
African Dwarf Frog Care Sheet
Posted by: Hypancistrus1 on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 08:17 PM
|
|
|
| |
A basic article on housing, feeding and maintaining African Dwarf Frogs as pets.
African Dwarf Frog Care Sheet
Species: Hymenochirus boettgeri
Similar Species: All species of genus Xenopus, including the African Clawed Frog Xenopus laevis
Distinguishing Features: The African Dwarf frog [ADF] is similar in appearance to young frogs from genus Xenopus. It is important that you identify the species correctly as care requirements are quite different. ADF’s have webbed “fingers” on their front limbs, and eyes placed on the sides of their heads. Xenopus frogs lack the finger webbing, giving them a clawed appearance, and their eyes sit directly on the top of their head.
Housing: Provide at least 2-3 gallons of water per frog. More room is always better, but in very large tanks, feeding can be difficult (see Feeding, below). ADF’s are entirely aquatic but do need access to the surface to breathe. If trapped underwater they will drown.
Décor: Provide your ADF’s with several aquarium safe hiding places. Examples include live or silk plants, brand new clay flower pots, driftwood, or standard aquarium decorations. Do not include rocks and other rough décor that might damage the sensitive skin of your ADF’s. If you plan to include gravel, either use gravel much too large to swallow (at least 0.5 inches across) or use sand which can be spit out if the frog takes a mouthful. Frogs that take in and attempt to swallow too small gravel can die from impaction or starvation.
Feeding: Most ADF’s will not eat enough pelleted food to sustain themselves. In order to maintain these frogs, provide a wide variety of frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, and other worms. ADF’s will eat live prey of suitable size such as worms (blackworms are readily available), chopped earth worms, or newborn livebearer fry. If you keep fish with your ADF’s, make sure the frogs get enough food by either hand feeding them or using a clear feeding tube to drop food directly to them.
Compatability: ADF’s are compatible with most small (2-3 inch), peaceful aquarium fish. Use caution when keeping ADF’s with fish smaller than 2 inches or larger than 3 inches. ADF’s are predatory and will consume any fish they can fit into their mouths. Larger or more aggressive fish may attempt to eat the ADF’s.
Maintenance: If filtered, maintain your frog tank just as you would a fish aquarium. Keep all filter intakes covered to prevent a leg or arm from getting trapped. Weekly or bi-weekly water changes of 25-50% are in order. Use aged and dechlorinated tap water. If your frogs are kept in an unfiltered tank or bowl, do a 100% water change at least 3-4 times per week. Frogs are messy feeders, and need good water quality to thrive.
Note: Published at FishGeeks with express permission from the author. This article can not be copied or reprinted, either physically or electronically without the permission of the author. Copyright Aquaria.Info.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Tropical Fish Items
