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Overview:

A fully aquatic frog with a voracious appetite, this amphibian is a hardy and fascinating pet suitable for a frog-only tank.

Listed tank sizes are the minimum
Size:	Up to 6” body length (without legs) in large females, smaller in males
Tank:	20” minimum for a single frog, long tanks much better than tall.
Strata:	Bottom.
PH:	Not critical, acidic preferred
Hardness:	Soft to medium. dH range: 5-12
Temperature:	68ºF-78ºF (20º- 26ºC) Low to middle 70’s ideal

Classification:

Class:	Lissamphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Pipidae
Genera:	Xenopus
Species:	laevis, borealis (most common)

Common name:

African clawed frog

Additional species photographs

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Distribution:

Sub-Saharan African (cooler regions). Introduced/feral in North America and Europe.

African clawed frogs are naturally a mottled green-grey with a lighter, cream-colored underside. The albino version is a pinkish white, and is also readily available from retailers.

Pete, the authors frog

15+ years in captivity.

Weekly water changes with gravel vacuum should be performed without fail. Décor should be upturned and vacuumed under often, as uneaten food may collect under these objects.

The African clawed frog will accept an astonishing variety of foods. They are voracious eaters that will eat almost anything that either smells appetizing, or moves like prey. For this reason, African clawed frogs should NEVER be kept with fish, African dwarf frogs, or other clawed frogs that will fit into their mouths! Even keepers attempting to house them with large goldfish report seeing the frogs latched onto the fish’s tail.
Appropriate foods include:
• Bloodworms (frozen and freeze-dried)
• Tubifex worms
• Mosquito larvae
• Earthworms
• Shrimp pellets (for bottom feeding fish)
• Cooked pieces of shrimp (unseasoned/unsalted)
• Beefheart Brine shrimp
• Tetra Reptomin Floating Food Sticks (for turtles)
• Live ghost shrimp
• Live guppies/livebearer fry

Feed 2-3 days a week in adult frogs, more frequently in froglets or growing animals. You will see your frog “scoop” food towards its mouth with its front feet, because these frogs actually lack tongues with which to grab food. Important: Never feed rosy red minnows or feeder goldfish. The majority of African clawed frogs are unable to process an enzyme they contain, and can become sick.

African clawed frog shed their skin every few weeks. They will eat the skin. Excessive skin shedding can indicate pollutants or irritants in the water.

Bare, sand, or very large gravel/small stones. Any gravel/stone used must be too large for them to scoop and/or swallow. Sand is fine enough to pass easily if swallowed.

Multiple hiding places (driftwood, caves, etc.) with subdued lighting. Plant should be artificial or very hardy, as these frogs tend to be “big kickers” that rocket around their tanks and tear up live plants. Anubias plants do well with clawed frogs.
These frogs are escape artists! The aquarium must be completely covered, or they will find their way onto the floor, where they desiccate quickly.
Emergency Care for Desiccated Frogs
If a frog escapes and is found dried up, do not assume it is dead. They have amazing powers of revival. Place the frog in a shallow bowl of tank water with its nostrils above the water to allow it to breathe. Let the frog rest in the water and watch carefully for movement of the nostrils. It can take several hours for the frog the rehydrate. Once the frogs is able to swim a bit, keep it in a bucket with a few inches of water (or lower the water level of the tank) so it can reach the surface easily for air while it regains strength. Be patient, and do not attempt to feed the frog until it is fully recovered.

Quiet, low-flow filtration is best. Clawed frogs do not appreciate strong current or noisy filtration.

Stagnant pools and backwaters with a substrate of deep mud.

These frogs breed readily under good conditions. The male sings to female, and clasps her around the stomach, fertilizing the eggs as she lays them. Eggs and adult frogs should be separated immediately, as parents will eat the eggs/tadpoles. Tadpoles are filter feeders and should be fed finely powdered foods.

Keepers should provide 10 gallons of water per frog. However, in tanks that are long rather than tall, this rule can be bent slightly if the caretaker is attentive to water conditions. For example, while only two clawed frogs should ever be kept in a 20 gallon “tall” tank (dimensions approx. 24”l x 12”w x 16”h), three can be kept in a 20 gallon “long” tank (dimensions approx. 30”l x 12”w x 12”h). Long tanks are also more appropriate because the frogs need to reach the surface frequently to breathe. The popular Grow-a-Frog® kit contains an African clawed frog tadpole.

 

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From: Alison Date:03/19/08 I own two of these frogs and they are very voracious eaters. My oldest, Pepper, is a reticulated frogger (brown) and is 1 1/2 inches long. My youngest, Salt, is albino and under an inch. These frogs are very social and mine were going crazy, literally, when they were in their own cages. When the got together, there was some nipping, but the two are now best friends and almost inseparable. They are best in groups of two or more because they are more active and lovable in groups. They share a 10 gallon that I will upgrade for a much bigger tank when I have the money to upgrade. However, they are quite happy together and I don't plan to separate the two cuties any time soon. Oh, and they're both girls so I don't get the opportunity to hear them sing. From: Sarah Date:9/09/07 I own three of these little pigs. My eldest is a male, Jetta, who is about 5 years old. He is 4 inches long without his legs. My next to oldest is Nicks. Nicks is 1 and a half years old. She is nearly 3 inches and is growing fast. She's going to be a big girl. She and Jetta live in a 20 gallon long tank with 2 large apple snails. I use a Whisper filter, which does not seem to bother them. I vacuum the bottom twice a week or more because they tend to be messy. I do not have a bottom substrate, nor do I plan to. If I ever have one it will probably be sand. I do have caves for them, though. I've had my youngest for around 8 months or so. He is about an inch and a half long. I'm afraid he is the result of inbreeding as he has no eyes. I found him in a department store in a tiny dirty cup with barely any water. It took some patience but I got him to start eating. He's really growing fast now. His front paws recently turned black and I have heard him singing. He keeps me awake at night he's so loud. He is in his own 15 gallon long tank with a bare bottom. He's got plenty of hiding places, but he is never in them. He loves attention. I leave it about half full and I have a small underwater filter. All of my frogs are fed a variety of krill, brine shrimp, shrimp pellets, food sticks and what ever else they can get their grubby little paws on. I named my eyeless one Stevie Ray after Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles (typical, I know. But they are two if my favorite artists). Stevie is hand fed, but he is getting better at finding food. He's actually my most dramatic eater. He's so funny. I love feeding him. I haven't tried keeping another frog with him yet, but when he gets bigger I'll see how he does with Jetta and Nicks.

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