The African dwarf frogs in our paludarium are adorable — we have two named after us, Barrett and Christian Jr.

They love to spend time sleeping under and cuddling the Marimo moss ball in our tank — an algae growth that comes in large balls and provide us endless entertainment. African dwarf frogs come originally from the equatorial region of Africa from countries like Nigeria and Cameroon and have little claws on their webbed feet.

We keep a submersible filter in our twenty-gallon tank, two African dwarf frogs, three guppies, two cory catfish, snails, and lots of plants.

5 Care Sheet Quick Points

  • Heating & Light — 70-78° Fahrenheit water temperature and 8-12 hours of daily, overhead light.
  • Tank Size — Two gallons of water per frog.
  • Feeding — Feed frog/amphibian pellets that sink twice daily, as much as your frogs can eat within two minutes. Give krill and bloodworms as occasional snacks, and thaw frozen food before feeding.
  • Cleaning — If you don’t have an in-tank filter, although a filter is recommended, you should change your aquarium water more often and give 20% water changes weekly if you have a filter. Make sure to wear gloves when cleaning your aquarium to best avoid Salmonella contamination and sickness.
  • Housing & Environment — African dwarf frogs love places to hide and rest, so be sure to give them plants, rocks, gravel (or similar substrate), and driftwood.

Do African dwarf frogs need land?

African dwarf frogs live in water only throughout their lives but need to come to the surface for air periodically. For this reason, make sure to keep your African dwarf frogs in a tank that isn’t more than two feet deep.

Your African dwarf frogs will be slightly shy, so watch out for signs of ill health like extreme laziness, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

Can African dwarf frogs live with fish?

Yes! African dwarf frogs can live with community-dwelling fish.

If fish are small enough, African dwarf frogs can potentially eat them — so be sure to keep your frogs well fed. Conversely, your frogs will get hungrier if they have to compete for their food, so make sure your fish are well fed and not eating your frog’s food before they can get to it.

How many African dwarf frogs should I get?

African dwarf frogs are communal, so it’s best to keep a minimum of two.

For the best health, you should provide at least two gallons of water per African dwarf frog. Keeping enough water per frog will enhance water quality. Once full-grown, it’s possible for African dwarf frogs to reach three inches in length.

Can you touch African dwarf frogs?

You shouldn’t handle African dwarf frogs or the aquarium water they live in, as you should always assume they’re contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause extreme sickness, especially in young children, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals. Consider their possible introduction of Salmonella into the home before purchasing, adding to the overall health risk of keeping African dwarf frogs.

Additionally, remember that African dwarf frogs live at least five years (and up to 20), so be sure you’re willing to commit to their full lifespan before adding one to your life.