African Dwarf Frogs

[lilacamy931]

Hey peeps
So I have had two of these little guys before in a 10g with a betta and life was pretty good for a while but then my betta turned against them so they were rehomed to a local friend. Time has passed I have my 3 fairly large tanks with puffs in, but kind of pine for the frogs still. I have a 9g cube tank with glass lid that think would be great for say 3-4 of these chappies but need advice on setu and procedure. I want it to be filterless as one of my frogs last time caught his foot, Im thinking the usual rule is 1g per frog living space, but to allow 2-3g per frog will be adequate and say water changes twice a week (more watching parameters). How does this sound?

I also was thinking bare bottom tank though have some playsand that can be used with silk plants, moss balls, fish safe ceramic caves and pots. How does this sound? Last time my frogs diets were bloodworm rich, was this bad for them as they were so tiny unsure what else to try!

One last thing, the tank doesnt have a light but the position of the tank gains a lot of natural light sometimes turning the water a algae way, with frequent water changes this will keep the microbes down but is it harmful otherwise?

 

[Jenste]

9 gallon cube.... ok here goes


sand substrate, hiding places, toss in some moss balls and water wisteria (cheap and can be rooted/left floating and seems to require minimal if any care because it thrives in my tanks and I don't do a thing for it!)

3-4 frogs would work, I wouldn't have more than 4 due to a cube having less floor space, so less room for them to "frolic" so to speak.

bloodworms should not be a staple, but a treat because they are very fatty.
broken up reptomin pellets or frog/tadpole bites work very well for them and are much neater than bloodworms.


filter/no filter - your call. I usually do NOT have a filter in smaller tanks with my frogs. water changes 1-2X a week are simple enough, no worries about little legs getting stuck/broken, the live plants help with keeping the water stable. plus, this not having a filter leaves more for the plants to absorb from the water in my experience



lighting is irrelevant, considering that your room has light in it, this is fine for the frogs. don't stress about the lighting or angle. having less light is better for the frogs, they feel safer and less exposed.


edit: oh, and I would not worry about the lack of filter - -frogs are not as sensitive to water chemistry as some fish. this does not obviously mean you can neglect the tank, but once they have acclimated to your tank and routine, they are hardy little fellows

 

[lilacamy931]

Thanks so very much Jenste I was worried about lack of filtration but would feel better without. I was only thinking 2 maybe 2 max as footprint and also more leeway with water params. Thanks for all the tips especially on the plants, will google to see what that is exactly

Now help on this? The tank in question has been empty sat on the side and one of the cats decided to stand on one edge of the glass lid, breaking it in two clean parts. Any suggestions on mending or where to get a new one?

 

[Jenste]

what you could do, is get a piece of plastic mesh and cut it to size. it will keep the frogs from jumping out, and will let lots of fresh air in for the frogs

 

[lilacamy931]

One last thing (thanks so much for all the help!) how tropical are these, do they require heaters? I am reading round the net and have found a couple of mixed views. I suspect they are tropical (and at least my last pair were well in tropical) but wonder if heater essential or what temp optimum (plus I never really thought as guard protector last time but easily burnt?)

 

[Jenste]

They are tropical. in the summer they are fine with out a heater obviously, but during the colder months they DO need a heater to keep the water a stable 70-75* F. I always keep unprotected heaters in mine and I have never had a burned frog

 

[lilacamy931]

Brill! Many thanks Jenste I was worried about that, so now to start the process of setting up the tank me thinks

 

[Jenste]

no problem!!! I LOVE helping people have these little guys for pets - they are such a joy but often overlooked

Don't forget to show my pictures!

 

[lilacamy931]

Of course! Piccys shal come by when get them it may be a short while though to get the tank shorted. thanks so much again x

 

[lilacamy931]

Ok the stupidest of all questions, the whole lid thing isnt going so great and...I have never ever had a new tank and really really really want a pink one..only thing is they are pretty small how would these be for say 2 maybe pushing it 3 frogs..
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300387191378&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http/www.petsathome.com/shop/butterfly-aquarium-set-23-litre-by-pets-at-home-(available-in-store-only)-31847

ok this one is actually hideous but if it was bigger than the other two I totally would!

http/www.petsathome.com/shop/princess-castle-tank-by-pets-at-home-(available-in-store-only)-36891

Just seen this one closer to size now
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Small-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Tropical-33L-Bright-Colours-/400133148608?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&var=&hash=item9bff304295

OR

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fish-R-Fun-555-Aquarium-New-Pink-/300434551220?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item45f34b71b4

Any thoughts help! I am biased by pink but want to get the best one for them

 

[Jenste]

Ok the stupidest of all questions, the whole lid thing isnt going so great and...I have never ever had a new tank and really really really want a pink one..only thing is they are pretty small how would these be for say 2 maybe pushing it 3 frogs..
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300387191378&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http/www.petsathome.com/shop/butterfly-aquarium-set-23-litre-by-pets-at-home-(available-in-store-only)-31847

ok this one is actually hideous but if it was bigger than the other two I totally would!

http/www.petsathome.com/shop/princess-castle-tank-by-pets-at-home-(available-in-store-only)-36891

Just seen this one closer to size now
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Small-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Tropical-33L-Bright-Colours-/400133148608?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&var=&hash=item9bff304295

OR

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fish-R-Fun-555-Aquarium-New-Pink-/300434551220?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item45f34b71b4

Any thoughts help! I am biased by pink but want to get the best one for them

Ok the stupidest of all questions, the whole lid thing isnt going so great and...I have never ever had a new tank and really really really want a pink one..only thing is they are pretty small how would these be for say 2 maybe pushing it 3 frogs..
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300387191378&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http/www.petsathome.com/shop/butterfly-aquarium-set-23-litre-by-pets-at-home-(available-in-store-only)-31847

ok this one is actually hideous but if it was bigger than the other two I totally would!

http/www.petsathome.com/shop/princess-castle-tank-by-pets-at-home-(available-in-store-only)-36891

Just seen this one closer to size now
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Small-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Tropical-33L-Bright-Colours-/400133148608?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&var=&hash=item9bff304295

OR

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fish-R-Fun-555-Aquarium-New-Pink-/300434551220?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item45f34b71b4

Any thoughts help! I am biased by pink but want to get the best one for them

To be honest.....I would not recommend anything smaller than 20 liters for the frogs comfort. ....have you considered maybe doing pink sand and pink silk plants?

 

[lilacamy931]

Oh sensible Jenste thank you! And bonus just rung the store where we got the tank from with broken lid and I now need to speak to ED as they may have a replacement, bonuses all round and keeping a good sized tank Right better get ready for my expedition.

 

[Jenste]

No problem!

I myself am fond of blues....I may use that color scheme on my next rescape! Hope you can get that lid!

 

[lilacamy931]

Aw good to know I am not alone with colour theme Well they got it wrong and didnt have a lid and had only tiny 2-4g or 30g+ tanks, plus no coloured sand all sold out and werent very well stocked, to say the least I was a little sulky as had spent an hour on a bus with screaming children to get there

Enquiring to other tanks in the area but not looking good, one last avenue have been looking at critter keepers but the huge ones (almost 10g) here are examples

OK this one states 21 litres, though using the dimensions 9 gallons..anything 5g up (though particular one saw larger)
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pet-Keeper-Aquarium-Fish-Lizard-Snake-Box-Tank-X-Large-/180520207870?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&hash=item2a07d7c5fe

One thing I was going to ask also saw today these
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150423174726&_trksid=p2759.l1259
Very long though narrow, I was wondering as long as these are 5g plus (going to go back and measure) could this work? I know not too deep for frogs but how about shallowness?

Looking at a nice 33l aquastart it is justing waiting to see if person replies...

Funnily enough the second best option is this
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/butterfly-aquarium-set-23-litre-by-pets-at-home-(available-in-store-only)-31847
As pretty decent price and 23 litres..

Sorry Im such a pain, hope dont mind me bouncing thoughts!


EDITL: Last thing, frogs last time both sand and gravel and were fine, would they be ok on gravel? Either way is fine

 

[Jenste]

considering they spend MOST of their time scooting around the bottom, just going to the surface for a breath of air before flying back down....the most important thing is surface area for the bottom - - as long as the water is about 4 inches or so you should be fine....but the bigger the all around area for the bottom, the better.....thing for a shallow tank to consider - - finding a heater for the winter!!! shallow water looses heat faster than deeper water