African Dwarf Frog: Info, Care Guide, Pictures, Varieties, Lifespan & Traits

The African dwarf frog is a totally aquatic amphibian that can live peacefully among a large selection of fish. As an avid, active swimmer, they can add pizzazz to any aquarium.

If you’re looking for new additions to your setup, these frogs might be a smart choice. They are social and interactive and can get along with almost all types of tank mates. So, let’s dig deeper into the traits of this amphibian so you can see if the African dwarf frog is the next pet for you.

Quick Facts About the African Dwarf Frog

African Dwarf Frog Overview

African dwarf frogs are completely aquatic amphibians that don’t spend any of their time on land. In their native African habitat, they dwell in rivers and streams. This interesting critter does have lungs and must surface the water to breathe.

These tropical frogs love warm water and pair well with many other aquatic pals that enjoy it too. They are inexpensive, easy to find, and relatively low maintenance.

Since they are so plentiful, you can replenish your supply as needed or add new frogs to another aquarium. They’re also relatively easy to breed in captivity.

How Much Do African Dwarf Frogs Cost?

You can find African dwarf frogs in just about any pet shop across the country. They are extremely popular because of their adaptability and peacefulness.

Another upside is that they are relatively cheap, especially in comparison to some other frog species. If you are shopping around, you’ll generally find that prices are between $3 and $10.

Since these frogs build relationships with each other, you can easily buy more than one. In fact, it’s best to opt for a pair or more to enhance their quality of life.

Typical Behavior & Temperament

African dwarf frogs are entertaining to watch. They actively swim around their enclosures among other frogs and fish, typically without issues, but they might occasionally mistake much smaller aquatic life for food.

When they aren’t zipping around their tank, they may take on a behavior called “burbling.” This is when they float in the water with all four limbs outstretched and remain completely still. This action is entirely normal.

African dwarf frogs can hang out in practically any area of the tank. They use the bottom for relaxation and the top for oxygen.

Appearance & Varieties

These tiny frogs can vary in color, but mostly from olive to brown, so there aren’t many vibrant colors to choose from. Both sexes have distinct black spots on their bodies. Still, you can tell them apart since males have post-axillary subdermal glands on the backs of their front legs, appearing as white dots. Both males and females only reach about 3 inches as adults.

How to Take Care of the African Dwarf Frog

For any aquatic creature, making sure the living conditions are ideal can be a bit tricky. However, these amphibians are quite simple to care for, especially if you already have experience with tropical freshwater pets.

For a perfect setup, here are some things to consider when you’re preparing.

Tank/Habitat

If you have an existing aquarium with aquatic life, you will need at least a 20-gallon enclosure if they live with other frogs or fish. However, if you only have one or two African dwarf frogs, one 10-gallon aquarium would suffice. As always, though, larger is better.

Substrate

Both sand and gravel substrates are excellent for African dwarf frogs. However, you can also have a bare bottom. Sometimes, if gravel is large enough, it can pose health risks if a frog were to eat it by accident, so get the correct pebble sizes when you purchase.

If you choose to have no substrate, keep in mind that you will have to clean more often.

Temperature

Since African dwarf frogs are tropical creatures, they love warm water. Your tank should be kept between 68 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use an aquarium heater to control the ideal temperature. Keep the tank away from drafty areas, such as near doors or windows.

Water

Clean, debris-free water is absolutely vital for your African dwarf frog’s well-being. The water quality has to be exact; you can’t toss them into a tub of tap water. You need an appropriate water filter to make sure the water cycles out any buildup.

They need appropriate aeration lines and filtration systems and the ideal pH. Water pH should stay between 6.5 and 7.5. Test the water beforehand, and use a pH adjuster if it isn’t in this range.

Lighting

African dwarf frogs are easy-peasy when it comes to lighting. They don’t require any particular heating or basking lights—no bells or whistles at all. They simply need natural daytime/nighttime light cycles to stay happy.

Do African Dwarf Frogs Get Along With Other Pets?

African dwarf frogs are adaptable and agreeable with other tank mates. They get along fantastic with their kind and don’t mind having fish around either. They can coexist with just about any critter that they can’t fit in their mouths.

However, you should avoid having fish in a tank that are much smaller than your frogs. They will view these fish as food if they get hungry enough.

What to Feed Your African Dwarf Frog

African dwarf frogs are omnivorous, meaning they eat plant and meat matter. In the wild, these frogs eat small fish and insect larvae. In captivity, however, they need high-protein diets that follow consistent feeding schedules. Your dwarf frog needs to eat one to two times a day. If your frog’s food is frozen, you will need to thaw it completely before serving.

Keeping Your African Dwarf Frog Healthy

Overcrowding is one of the primary causes of African dwarf frog stress and illness. Make sure all your aquatic critters have adequate space to swim around without restriction. As long as they have clean water and healthy diets, they are generally healthy little creatures. But they can be susceptible to certain illnesses and fungal or bacterial infections.

If you notice any odd signs, you must seek treatment right away. Your frog isn’t the only one that can get these illnesses, so it’s crucial to treat the entire tank.

Breeding

Breeding the African dwarf frog isn’t an extensive process. If you fluctuate the water temperature and lower the overall level a bit, it can entice breeding.

Feed your potential breeders a diet of brine shrimp and traditional fish flakes to keep up their metabolism. Once the conditions are right, males will start “practicing” by creating a grasping position with their arms. After a bit of this, they will latch on to any frog they see. If they’re a receptive female, the breeding process, known as amplexus, will occur.

During the mating process, the female deposits eggs each time they surface the water together. The entire process is finished within 7 hours. They might deposit up to 1,000 eggs at a time, so be mindful of the mess of frogs that this could create.

Floating eggs indicate that reproduction is successful. Typically, the eggs will hatch in a short window of 2 days or less.

Are African Dwarf Frogs Suitable for You?

So, does the African dwarf frog sound like a good fit for your aquarium? These critters are easy for beginners and novice aquarists alike, making agreeable, interactive tank mates that are tons of fun to watch in action.

These frogs are excellent additions to most tropical freshwater set-ups. However, they might eat smaller fish if they get too hungry. Always make sure to check compatibility with your existing fish.

See also:

• African Dwarf Frogs for Sale: Breeder List
• What Do African Dwarf Frogs Eat in the Wild and as Pets? Diet & Health Facts

Featured Image Credit: Charlie Tyack, Shutterstock