African Dwarf Frog — Fact Sheet

Hymenochirus boettgeri · African Dwarf Frog

📋 At a glance

🏠 Enclosure

• Species-only cycled aquarium preferred.
• Minimum for a small group: 60 x 30 x 30 cm.
• Secure lid with no cable gaps.
• Smooth sand, bare bottom, or stones too large to swallow.
• Avoid sharp decor, strong current, copper medication, and rough gravel.

🪨 Enclosure furniture

• Soft live or silk plants.
• Open hides and shaded bottom cover.
• Resting leaves near the surface.
• Clear feeding area or dish.
• Filter intake covered with sponge.

💡 Lighting

• Standard planted-aquarium LED is enough.
• UVB not required for routine care.
• Keep shaded retreats.
• Photoperiod: 10-12 h.
• No colored night light.

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking spot: not used

• Warm zone: 22-26 °C

• Cool zone: 21-23 °C

• Night: 20-24 °C

• Keep water stable; avoid >27-28°C.

• Use a digital aquarium thermometer.

• Guard heaters and avoid strong local hot spots.

💧 Humidity & water

• Fully aquatic: water quality is the humidity issue.
• Targets: ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate preferably below 20-40 mg/l.
• Dechlorinate all water.
• Gentle mature filtration.
• Never release frogs, eggs, plants, or tank water outdoors.

🪱 Diet

Feed regularly:

• Aquatic frog pellets, chopped earthworm, frozen bloodworm, daphnia, mysis

In moderation:

• Blackworms from safe sources, brine shrimp, enriched frozen foods

Avoid:

• Feeder fish, large hard prey, mammal meat, uneaten food left overnight

Supplements:

• Use a complete diet; do not add calcium or vitamins directly to aquarium water

🩺 Health — warning signs

• Refusal to eat → fish competition, stress, low temperature, or disease
• Red skin or excess shedding → water quality, toxins, or infection
• Floating or poor buoyancy → bloat, gas, infection, or water stress
• Weight loss → underfeeding, parasites, or food access problem
• Escape attempt → poor cover, water quality, or uncovered tank

Consult an amphibian-experienced veterinarian for swelling, sores, abnormal breathing, sudden weakness, or prolonged refusal to eat.