The African Dwarf Frog (African Dwarf Frog) is a mini-sized, only about 7.5 cm. This reptile spends most of its time in the water, but occasionally has to come to the surface to breathe because it has lungs, not gills. African pygmy frogs have an average life expectancy of 5 years, but some can reach 20 years! If you are interested in raising African pygmy toads, this article contains information on how to care for them.
Step
Step 1. First, prepare an aquarium for the frogs
African pygmy toads can live peacefully with several types of fish and snails that live in the water.
Step 2. If you want to place the frogs in an aquarium without a filtration system, such as a goldfish bowl, you will need about 4-8 liters of water per frog so you won't need to change the water for several days
Otherwise, you'll need to install a filtration system to avoid the toxic concentration of ammonia waste that builds up in frog droppings. African pygmy toads don't need a lot of space. In nature, these frogs live and thrive in very shallow swampy water bodies in the rainforest. This frog does not live in groups like fish. It prefers a safe and quiet environment, without predators and providing plenty of hiding places at the base. As long as you have an effective filtration system in place, it doesn't matter what size aquarium you use. Make sure there are no gaps at the top as the frogs can escape from the tank and die.
Step 3. Install the filter
In nature, the African pygmy toad lives in water less than 20 cm deep. Deeper water will create dwarf frogs that live at the bottom, but must swim to the surface to breathe. While African pygmy toads can coexist with tropical fish, you should still adapt your aquarium to the needs of the fish, not the toads. African pygmy toads can tolerate water conditions that can be fatal to fish.
Step 4. Use gravel or sand as a substrate
A thickness of 2.5 cm is sufficient. You should be able to feel the bottom of the tank if you press on it with your finger.
If using stones or gravel, choose a stone that is not too large. African pygmy toads can easily get trapped under large rocks and suffocate. It is recommended to create some structures at the bottom of the aquarium to hide the frogs. The African pygmy toad is very sensitive to vibration and movement so it often hides in closed places following its instinct to avoid predators. You have to make sure the frogs don't get caught in it. On the other hand, make sure the pebbles are not too small as the toads could accidentally swallow them and die
Step 5. Provide fresh or frozen foods, such as bloodworms and brine shrimp
You can also feed him commercial food products in pellet form. A healthy diet is a varied diet. Do not give frozen dry food as it can cause bloating. Make sure you clean up any uneaten food after 10 minutes. You can give them sink pellets if you have no other choice, but put them on a plate so you can find them easily.
Step 6. Clean the aquarium once a week to ensure that the frogs are healthy
Perform weekly partial water changes to stabilize pH and remove nitrite/nitrate. Remove about 20% of the water and add the chlorinated tap water.
Step 7. Prepare some hiding places, for example small terracotta pots, logs, plants and moss
Cups/mugs can also be good hiding places for frogs.
Step 8. Place live or artificial plants in the aquarium
Choose artificial plants made of silk, not plastic. The tough plastic can scratch and injure the toad's delicate skin. If you choose real plants, make sure they have the same criteria.
Step 9. Make sure the water temperature should be in the range of 21-24 °C
Use a mini water heater if necessary. Watch the temperature carefully if you install this kind of equipment.
Step 10. Young African pygmy toads like to flock
Adult toads prefer solitary conditions, except during the breeding season. Male frogs placed in the same tank will not attack each other. However, male and female toads will breed. Female toads are more dominant, more aggressive and hungrier during the breeding season.
Step 11. The African pygmy toad (ADF) is often mistaken for the African clawed frog (ACF), but they are very different
The ACF can reach much larger sizes than the ADF. Adult ACF can reach the size of a softball. ACF eats almost any type of fish (or frog) that fits the size of its mouth. So, never put ACF and ADF in one aquarium. ACF can carry deadly disease to the ADF. The ACF has no membranes between its forelegs so it has long claws. If you see small black claws on the ADF's hind legs, don't worry, it's normal. ACF can also make good pets, but make sure you do your research first to find out what their needs are and keep them separate in a different tank from fish and ADF.
Tips
- Keep two African pygmy toads with each other (not mandatory, but recommended).
- Make sure the aquarium for the frogs is not too deep or the frogs cannot swim to the surface to breathe and they may drown.
- African pygmy toads love bloodworms.
- Make sure there is at least 5 cm of space between the aquarium cover and the water surface. Dwarf toads do not breathe oxygen dissolved in water. These reptiles suck oxygen in the air just like us!
- Try to keep the water depth to a maximum of 20 cm. Keep the surface calm. A turbulent surface is needed for oxygen, but the air bubbles produce too much vibration for the toad. Use soft decorations and substrates. Sand is perfect because the food that accumulates on the surface makes it easier for frogs to find it. Don't make the space too narrow for the frogs to trap in it. Provide small hiding places for frogs. Use a mechanical filter system and a large surface area. Use as much as possible. Frogs can tolerate dirty water than most fish, but it would be better if you change the water about 15% every week or 30% every two weeks. Use tap water in areas with mineral water, as dwarf toads love it. Make sure you process the water to remove chlorine and heavy metals. The ratio of 10 hours light to 14 hours dark should be good enough. Don't keep toads near windows unless you have thick curtains to block UV rays and prevent algae growth. Avoid radiators or speakers from the stereo or TV. Frogs love bloodworms as well as frozen tropical fish. Vary food for a healthy diet. Give small amounts of food in a short time. Toads can coexist with 2 adult Amano shrimp that clean up food debris.
- If the frogs are kept in a fish bowl (which is not recommended) add a small plate to cover.
- Do not allow other types of small fish to swim to the bottom of the tank. Toads can be aggressive and both will be stressed.
Warning
- Keep in mind that African pygmy toad species can carry salmonella. So, never handle it outside the aquarium with your bare hands.
- The African pygmy toad can live peacefully with many other animals, but there are some that can cause problems, such as crayfish, cichlids (fish such as the crayfish or surfperch, turtles, and in rare cases, goldfish. Most animals others shouldn't be a problem for African pygmy toads, but some types of animals can be very cruel or too large and may try to eat them. Remember that in the wild African pygmy toads are food for fish, birds, snakes, and most other larger animals. Instinctively, the African pygmy toad will perceive a larger animal as a threat, and a smaller animal as potential food.
