New Albino African Clawed momma :)

[mpmistr]

Hello everyone! I just joined this page and very happy I found it!

I have a lot of questions any help would be great! I looked on line and it seems as though every page says different things.

I just recently purchased 4 albino baby ACF. I currently have a 20 long (they are super small right now nickel size) and I am searching for a new tank that can hold them all and not have to upgrade. I need help on what I need I was looking into a 55gal put would rather have a 40L gal since its the same lenght I didnt really want the height of the 55 but if that is better for them I will go with that. Their current set up is large river rocks on the bottom, reptile moss, and a decent size tree cave thing. No filter yet wonder what is the best for them. I have been keeping the water very clean!

40 gallon long is fine for four adult xenopus. May want to skip the reptile moss though, I don't believe it will work in an aquatic setup. For filtration use whatever suits you, I personally use a canister filter (2217 Eheim) for my frogs, I keep them in a 40 gallon breeder tank (36x18x17). I personally would use two Whisper 40i for four adult frogs if you choose a HOB filter.

What chemicals would I need with the filter? I am just using dechlorinator right now. I read you need amonnia strips? Would like to keep the tank maintances as simple as possible with providing a good home for them. Also wanting to put sand on the bottom of the new tank.

Chemicals are bad, don't get in the habit of using them. They usually cause more harm than good. All you need is a water conditioner to remove chlorine and heavy metals that are present in tap water. I would suggest a product called "Prime", I swear by it.

Weekly maintenance should include partial water changes of about 25% replaced with water treated with Prime or a similar product. I would not bother with test strips -- these are wildly inaccurate, aside from a scientific grade water test kit I would pick up an API Freshwater Master Kit, this is a liquid test kit and this is the best bang for the buck. I would test the water weekly to assure there is no Ammonia or Nitrite in your water and the Nitrates are under 20ppm. I would also test the pH of your water to make sure it is at least neutral (7), Xenopus prefer water on the alkaline side (7-8) but 6.5 to 7.5 is fine, a stable pH is best.

They are currently on betta pellets which they seem to be eating well!

Good that they are eating but betta pellets are probably not nutritionally complete, I would replace it with Reptomin or another high protein aquatic turtle/frog/newt pellet.

One of my poor froglets has injured his front are (I think) He is swimming in crazy circles. He is still eating though and has recently been staying on the limb of the tree where his nose sticks out of the water so he doesnt have to really move. He seems like a fighter hoping he will survive ... any tips on that? On a cute side note one of the frogs keeps going to him and staying by him almost as though he is tending to him. Do they do that?

May be best to isolate this frog and keep him in a very clean, calm, quiet, and dark atmosphere to reduce stress. I'd put a small cave so he can hide and some floating plants so he can rest in them. Perhaps you could pick up a cheap 10 gallon tank at Walmart and separate him and do daily water changes until he recovers? They do seem to heal fast, I hope he recovers.

I am wanting them to be tame and hand feed eventually so any tips that worked for you would be apperciated!

I know a lot of questions just want to make sure they are well taken care of

Thanks

Doesn't take long these guys will associate you with food fairly quickly. My frogs will literally start swimming to the top of the water and lunging out of the water in anticipation of me feeding them sometimes, spoiled creatures indeed.

[Sammy]

Awesome thank you! I will be looking for all this stuff today! I have found with craigslist and ebay you can spend a fourth of what you would at local pet stores!

[mpmistr]

Awesome thank you! I will be looking for all this stuff today! I have found with craigslist and ebay you can spend a fourth of what you would at local pet stores!

All my tanks are second hand though pet smart does run some sweet dollar per gallon sales on tanks up to 40 gallons. I would suggest a 40 gallon breeder, good dimensions for your frogs lots of space to swim.