Care Sheet: African Dwarf Frog
African Dwarf Frog
Other Common Names: ADF, Congo Frogs, Dwarf African Frog (DAF), Dwarf Clawed Frog, Zaire Dwarf Clawed Frog, Eastern Dwarf Clawed Frog, Gaboon Dwarf Clawed Frog, Western Dwarf Clawed Frog, Marble Frog
Scientific Name: Hymenochirus boettgeri
Other Similar Species: Hymenochirus curtipes
Native To: Africa, primarily the Congo region.
Temperatures: 22 -30 °C (71.6-86°F)
Humidity: N/A
pH: 6.8 - 7.8
Water Hardness: 5-12 °d
Life Span: 3-10 years, 5 years is average
Enclosure Size: These frogs require a minimum of 1 gallon per frog. Many keepers prefer to allow at least two or three gallons per frog. The minimum tank size is five gallons as it is very hard to accommodate the necessary equipment in anything smaller.
Larger enclosures are better, but make sure that the tank is not too deep. Very large tanks that are 24 inches deep are too deep for these frogs. They can manage, but it is difficult for them to reach the top to breath air. I do not recommend anything deeper then 18 inches.
A 10 Gallon (20"x 10"x 12"), 15 Gallon (24" x 12" x 12"), 20 Gallon Long (30" x 12" x 12"), 20 Gallon Classic (24" x 12" x 16"), and 30 Gallon (36" x 12" x 18"), tanks work very well for these frogs.
Substrate: Do not use aquarium pebbles, sand or fine grain gravel for these frogs. Whenever housing aquatic frogs, a bare bottom tank is normally best. Frogs are really sensitive to environmental contaminates and aquarium gravel can harbor lots of bacteria, poop, uneaten food that will pollute the water.
If you do not like the look of a bare bottom tank, you can always paint the OUTSIDE bottom of the tank, or attach an aquarium "background" to it.
Filter: A good quality filter is important to use with these frogs. Complete water changes should be done every week. Filters should be cleaned monthly.
If your enclosure does not contain a filter, then complete water changes should be done daily. Stagnant water does not filter, no matter what "Green Earth's Aqua Frog" care sheet tells you.
I have used the following filters without any problems:
Aqua Clear: 20/mini, 30/150, 50/200, 70/300
*If your frogs are juveniles, put a sponge over the intake of the AC 70 (previously the AC 300) just to be safe. I haven't had any issues with adult frogs and this filter. The AC 70 is my favorite of all the AquaClear filters.
Fluval: 105 Canister Filter
Water Conditioner: Dechlorinate water with amphibian safe products such as “Prime” by SeaChem, “Reptisafe” by ZooMed or “AmQuel” by Kordon.
Food: All foods should be live or frozen/thawed bug type foods, and should be CB.
- Never feed them "frog, newt and tadpole bites" or similar products.
- Never feed them fish foods (fish flakes, algae wafers, shrimp pellets, etc....)
- Never feed freeze dried foods (like freeze dried Bloodworms)
Good foods to feed are:
- Live Earth Worms: Red Wrigglers, European Night Crawlers, African Night Crawlers
- Live Crickets, less than 1/4" long
- Live Feeder Roach Nymphs (Dubia, Discoid, Red Runners, Lobster, etc...)
- Live or Frozen/Thawed Bloodworms
- Live or Frozen/Thawed Brine Shrimp
- Live Grindal Worms or White Worms
- Live Black Worms
- Frozen/Thawed Glassworms
- Flightless Fruit Flies, D.hydei (1/8") or D.melanogaster (1/16")
- Small Butterworms
- Small Waxworms
A Note About Bloodworms: *******Some people are really allergic to Bloodworms, even those that do not typically have allergies can experience allergic reactions to these products. You may experience hives, itchy sensations, difficulties breathing, etc... Just be cautious when using this product. Also, do not feed your ADF a staple diet of Bloodworms, some keepers have reported dietary issues from keeping them on this feeder only. Be sure to alternate with other feeders on the list from time to time, in order to have a happy and healthy pet.********
Social Structure: These frogs are communal, which means you can keep them with other African Dwarf Frogs. If you want to keep your frog singly that is perfectly ok to do as well. These do not need to be kept in pairs or groups.
Do not house these frogs with other species of amphibians, reptiles, fish or crustaceans (like shrimp, snails, crabs, or crayfish)
Breeding African Dwarf Frogs:
Sexing the Frogs: Sexing ADF are easy, provided you have adult frogs. The males will have a pimple like bump on each side next to the arm pit. Females do not have this bump.
Tadpoles require live feeders: African Dwarf Frog Tads are carnivorous, and fish flakes won't cut it for these little guys. You will want to invest in some different types of feeder cultures. Look into getting:
1) Microworms (a non parasitic nematode)
2) Vinegar Eels
3) Grindal Worms
4) White Worms
5) Brine Shrimp
6) Infusoria
ADF tads are really tiny (4mm), so you will need a few different types of small feeders as they grow. You will also need to know how to cultures them, so it's best to get your feeder colonies established first before you breed the frogs. The above live feeders are normally available from some feeder farms, fish breeders (check places that breed Bettas or Discus), and larger fish pet shops.
Stimulating breeding behavior: ADF and ACF can be put in the mood simply by doing a water change. The difference in temperature (slightly lower then the tank water) will help to get them in the mood to breed. Frogs will amplexus and swim together in a loop pattern.
You will also have to make sure that your frogs are well fed prior to getting them to breed. Make sure that you are feeding them good foods.
Once the eggs are laid, you will immediately have to either remove the adult frogs or the eggs from the tank. The parents will eat any eggs or tadpoles that they find.
The eggs will take up to six days to hatch.
Tadpoles will metamorphosis to be 14 mm long, six weeks after hatching.
Morphs: Up until recently, there were no morphs available for these frogs. These frogs are now available in the "Wild type" or "Common" variety and they are also available in the "Albino" sometimes called "Blonde" morph. I keep both the African Dwarf Frogs, and the African Clawed Frogs, I have Albinos of both species and Wild Types of both species as well.
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