Golden Sedge Frogs (Hyperolius Puncticulatus),

[StephenLS]

Hi All

I've got hold of some captive bred Golden Sedge Frogs (Hyperolius puncticulatus), 6 to be exact, and was wondering if anybody has experience with them and set up suggestions as the information I've found tends to be contradictory!

I was planning to set up an aquaterrarium with a couple of islands of land situated in a main body of filtered and heated water with tall reeds and plent of aquatic plants. The rear of the tank will be a textured background with a couple of plants grafted!

What do you think?

Ta

Steve

[John]

You mean this frog? : CalPhotos

A very beautiful Hyperolius species. I doubt you'll find anyone experienced with this exact species - I've never encountered them on importers' lists before. Terry or Darryn may be able to give more information on how they live though. I'll send this to them.

[Kurt]

I have never kept them, but I do keep plenty of treefrogs and your set-up seems fine as long as it has adequate ventilation.

[tgampper]

Hyperolius puncticulatis is listed as endangered and wild populations are decreasing.

IUCN: "It is not known whether or not it occurs in the international pet trade, as records of it in trade probably refer to Hyperolius substriatus. In any case, the level of such trade is not likely to be sufficient to constitute a threat to the species."

In Rodel's book, Herpetofauna of West Africa, mentions that H. puncticulatus is a synonym of H. picturatus (a frog found in western Africa).

According to the Journal of East African Natural History, two synonyms:
Hyperolius puncticulatis (Pfeffer, 1893) Broad striped sedge frog
Hyperolius substriatus (Ahl, 1931)

Photo of H. substriatus
Query results from the SysTax database

One problem with the positive identification of species within Hyperoliidae is all of the various color and pattern morphs. I don't know if this helps or makes it more confusing. If I find anything new, I'll post it.

[StephenLS]

That's the one John!

I know you guys in the states don't get that much from Africa, and Hyperolius identification is a bit hit and miss, but I couldn't resist the chance to get hold of some captive bred and consequently, very healthy specimens!

Some of them are quite young but it looks like I have at least 2 males!

I'm trying to replicate the pond type environment I've read they are most often found in and will be aiming to breed once they're old enough.

I'll post some pics of them and the set-up asap!

Thanks All


Steve

[tgampper]

Hi Steve:

They are beautiful frogs. I did find a description of these frogs in my Malawi frog field guide, it might help you in positively identifying your frogs:

"Color golden or brown; a broad light band, heavily outlined in black, bordering the upper margin of snout,often continuing over and behind eyes and along dorsolateral position. Behind eyes, line may be broken into spots. Black dots sometimes present on back and legs; heel often with light spot, but no light spots on outer surfaces of legs. Length 1.75 inches (43 mm)".

Evidently there is a great variation in color and patterns in this species. Females are larger.Males have a distinct yellow gular disc over the vocal sac. Length of disc is two-thirds its width and the margins are dotted with fine black pigment cells. Hope this helps!

[tgampper]

Sorry for the multiple threads. There is a web site you may be interested in about breeding Hyperolius puncticulatus Hyperolius puncticulatus