Caring for African Dwarf Frogs
African Dwarf Frogs have become a popular addition to aquariums. These little frogs are fully aquatic, so you don’t have to worry about a half aquatic and half terrain aquarium. African Dwarf Frogs are able to survive outside of water.
Frogs are great for controlling your fry population and bottom scavengers. To reduce the amount of fry guppies you have in your tank, get some African Dwarf Frogs. They’ll eat guppy eggs to help ease the situation. But, if you aren’t using them to control a guppy population, these frogs can be more difficult to feed.
We have created a mini-guide to help you keep your African Dwarf Frog friends happy and healthy. In this article, we will explore some feeding tips and characteristics of African Dwarf Frogs.
Feeding dwarf frogs
As mentioned above, African Dwarf Frogs are difficult to feed because they are finicky eaters but on top of that, they are slow eaters and cannot compete with fish. Aquarium owners must ensure that African Dwarf Frogs are able to remain in the water for longer periods of time without becoming disintegrated. Dwarf frogs can be slow eaters and may return to their food source later to get another bite.
Frozen or live black worms are the best food choices for African Dwarf Frogs. Although frozen bloodworms are the most common food source, they are also an excellent option for feeding aquatic creatures. Frozen bloodworms will not disintegrate in a short time span, ensuring that your frogs can feast at their leisure. However, frozen bloodworms can be used as an alternative. They tend to float on top of the water while frozen bloodworms sink to the bottom when they defrost. If you don’t want to have to provide food every day, live black worms may be the better choice.
While blackworms may not be the most common food choice for African Dwarf Frogs they have their own unique set of benefits. You can usually purchase a portion of black worms from your local fish store. These worms will live in your tank and will burrow into the gravel. This makes them a more long-lasting food source. This gives them the ability to live inside your tank and be a constant food source for your hungry frogs.
African Dwarf Frogs feed by grabbing and pulling the worms into their mouth with a jerking motion. The way the blackworms move will encourage your frogs to eat them and if you have any docile fish in the tank, they will enjoy a snack as well. High levels of protein make blackworms a good food choice for frogs. Higher levels of protein are better for keeping your frogs healthy and fat.
Both black and frozen bloodworms can be used as a food source of high quality. It is best to give your frogs high-quality food because it will keep them happier and the tank cleaner. Often these frogs will be sold in other places outside of pet stores, like mall kiosks, where they are advertised as living in a small aquarium. The smaller the aquarium is, the less space there is for waste to disperse. Higher levels of waste mean less health and more work to clean the tank. Your animals will live longer and healthier lives if you give them a bigger tank and better food.
One food source that isn’t recommended is food pellets. As mentioned, the African Dwarf Frogs are slow eaters and pellets dissolve in water rapidly. Frogs will take less time to enjoy their food before the pellet becomes too disintegrated. As well, disintegrating pellets means more unnecessary waste for your tank. However, if you do choose to feed your African Dwarf Frogs pellets, it is best to place the pellets in a petri dish inside the tank. This way if the pellets do disintegrate, they are less like to disperse throughout the tank or become lodged in the gravel.
African Dwarf Frog Behavior
It is important to note that African Dwarf Frogs are known for their common behavior. This often causes owners concern. People will often express concern for their frogs if they are seen hugging and not moving for more than a day. This behavior is normal for frogs, and it indicates they are mating. The African Dwarf Frogs’ females are larger and the males have a thinner body. If you see a smaller frog hugging a larger frog, there is no need to panic. Frogs simply do what nature commands.
If you are looking to help raise a few tadpoles, you should be sure you have the space to do so. As well, any fish that are in the tank with the frogs may pose a threat. While adult frogs may co-exist with docile fish easily, most fish will attempt to eat the frog eggs.
African Dwarf Frogs can be a great addition to your tank. If you are sure to feed them correctly, in no time you could have thriving and happy frogs living in your aquarium.