Newbie Questions - Getting an ACF

[Geoff]

1. My local independent pet shop sells froglets around the size of a quarter of both Albino ACF and what seems to be a natural, wild, color. Is there any difference between the two other than aesthetic?

No, they're both likely to be Xenopus laevis, which has several different colour forms.

2. Filter: I have a Whisper filter from a previous tank with adjustable flow that was marketed as "30-60 gallon". Given that the flow is adjustable would this be too powerful for a frog in a 20 gallon?

It's hard to say. The frogs have sensory organs that detect movement in the water so it's best to restrict water turbulence to a minimum to limit the risk of causing them distress. One way of achieving that is by connecting a spray bar that discharges water upwards against the back or side of the tank.

3. Substrate: I have narrowed my ideas down to either river rock or sand with interspersed rocks to simulate a river bed. I have read conflicting opinions on sand as far as being bad for the filter. If I were to use said filter above would that be detrimental or should I put something over the intake so the sand doesn't get in?

It's probably worth reading through these old threads where the topic was discussed in detail. Conflicting opinions on many husbandry aspects are quite common because there's very rarely only one right way to do things. What works for one person may not work for another.

• http://www.frogforum.net/showthread....Sand-Questions
• http://www.frogforum.net/showthread....-aquarium-deco
• http://www.frogforum.net/showthread....to-sand-a-pain

4. Natural rocks: - I live in an area with a lot of natural bodies of water where shale is plentiful. I have used this for previous fish tanks but I am curious if it is safe for frogs as sometimes it can have rough edges. Also this is a great area to get natural rock for substrate assuming it is a safe kind of rock (I've read something about testing with vinegar?)

I doubt there's much risk of the frogs injuring themselves on rocks unless they're suddenly spooked and start panicking. The vinegar test you've read about probably refers to testing the calcium content of the rocks, which is important for some fish in terms of pH and water hardness. It's not relevant for the frogs.

5. Sex - How old does the froglet need to be before we can visibly tell if it is male or female?

Around 10 to 12 months usually.

6. Noise - I have narrowed down two places in our apartment to place a tank. Would it be better to place a frog in the parlor with a lot of traffic and our parrot (who can be noisy) or in the bedroom where we sleep and watch TV and tends to be more quiet. Also, how much noise do they tend to make at night (human sleeping hours) as far as splashing around is concerned? That would be the only concern with the bedroom placement.

It would be best to locate the tank in a low traffic area to minimise the risk of the frogs getting stressed. Be sure to provide them with shelters for refuge. The only noise likely to disturb you is if and when they start vocalising. They sound like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHOBFbgjMKI

7. Last but not least - Are they social animals? If we have one frog in a 20 gallon will it be "lonely" or "depressed"?

They do interact with each other but I wouldn't describe them as social animals or bestow them with anthropomorphic traits. A solitary frog will not suffer but you'll probably find it more interesting to have two, which your tank should accommodate comfortably.

Finally, they do not need a heater if the tank's at room temperature.