African Dwarf Frogs

[Jonty]

Hi

I've just bought a 60l Tetra AquaArt tank and like the idea of keeping African Dwarf Frogs.

So, some questions that have popped into my head:

Do I need to cycle? - I've read frogs don't produce much waste

How many can I keep in a 60l aquarium - looks like this dimensions 57x30x35cm.

Would a just frog tank be good visually? Do they just keep to the bottom?

I've read that limbs can be caught in a filter - can I put some cheap materiel in front of the filter that wouldn't be bad for the frogs?

Does anyone have pics or can advise on a really good frog setup?

Is sand a good substrate for frogs?

What is the best way of feeding them?



Sorry for the overload of questions

Thanks, Jonty

 

[Jonty]

Anyone?

 

[kevinthecow]

I'll answer what I can


Do I need to cycle? - I've read frogs don't produce much waste
YES, all tank's deserve a cycle. It doesnt matter if they produce much or not, does it? 'cause you'll need to kill toxins, replacing 'em with better bacteria to live throughout your filter.

How many can I keep in a 60l aquarium - looks like this dimensions 57x30x35cm.
About 16 Gallons, right? In a 10g, you can fill up at least five frogs. In your tank, possibly a rough number of eight to six. (I'm not sure about this, rough estimate)

Would a just frog tank be good visually? Do they just keep to the bottom?
Frogs are great! Make sure there will be caves, and rocks. Frogs like tight spots, don't they? If you go to a lfs, you see them crouched between something, usually the containers. If you have a nice well planted tank, + frogs = win.

I've read that limbs can be caught in a filter - can I put some cheap materiel in front of the filter that wouldn't be bad for the frogs?
Really? Frogs don't like a strong current. And, if their limbs do get caught, first reaction is like a fish. They'll dart away as fast as possible though. What kind of filter are you using? Interal or external? What kind?

Does anyone have pics or can advise on a really good frog setup?
Can't help you with that, I have a community tank with two frogs. ): sorry.

Is sand a good substrate for frogs?
Absolutely, more likely they won't eat it. Sand is more softer than gravel and gentle. pretty sure it's good.

What is the best way of feeding them?
You can handfeed your frog! (Depends on your tank's height, remember, frogs = UNDER 12" HEIGHT of a tank, please.) Or, you can get frozen bloodworms (frogs love bloodworms the most! ) and the filter's current would push it down. Frog's will get anything on the surface of the gravel/sand. They won't go up to it and nibble. They'll strike at it, and back up.

 

[Jonty]

I'll answer what I can


Do I need to cycle? - I've read frogs don't produce much waste
YES, all tank's deserve a cycle. It doesnt matter if they produce much or not, does it? 'cause you'll need to kill toxins, replacing 'em with better bacteria to live throughout your filter.

How many can I keep in a 60l aquarium - looks like this dimensions 57x30x35cm.
About 16 Gallons, right? In a 10g, you can fill up at least five frogs. In your tank, possibly a rough number of eight to six. (I'm not sure about this, rough estimate)

Would a just frog tank be good visually? Do they just keep to the bottom?
Frogs are great! Make sure there will be caves, and rocks. Frogs like tight spots, don't they? If you go to a lfs, you see them crouched between something, usually the containers. If you have a nice well planted tank, + frogs = win.

I've read that limbs can be caught in a filter - can I put some cheap materiel in front of the filter that wouldn't be bad for the frogs?
Really? Frogs don't like a strong current. And, if their limbs do get caught, first reaction is like a fish. They'll dart away as fast as possible though. What kind of filter are you using? Interal or external? What kind?

Does anyone have pics or can advise on a really good frog setup?
Can't help you with that, I have a community tank with two frogs. ): sorry.

Is sand a good substrate for frogs?
Absolutely, more likely they won't eat it. Sand is more softer than gravel and gentle. pretty sure it's good.

What is the best way of feeding them?
You can handfeed your frog! (Depends on your tank's height, remember, frogs = UNDER 12" HEIGHT of a tank, please.) Or, you can get frozen bloodworms (frogs love bloodworms the most! ) and the filter's current would push it down. Frog's will get anything on the surface of the gravel/sand. They won't go up to it and nibble. They'll strike at it, and back up.

Thanks, that's really useful!

 

[raptorrex]

well i have mine in a community. i dont feed them, per se, i just add food to the tank as i always have. they seem happy and healthy.it may be worth keeping the water level to, around, 12 inches. not only are these guys, virtuall, blind. they dont swimm well either (especially vertically).

 

[PRW1988]

well i have mine in a community. i dont feed them, per se, i just add food to the tank as i always have. they seem happy and healthy.it may be worth keeping the water level to, around, 12 inches. not only are these guys, virtuall, blind. they dont swimm well either (especially vertically).

Couple things wrong there. Firstly frogs aren't virtually blind, if you put your hand or anything in the tank, they see it and swim away. Secondly frogs swim very well.

As said, the best staple food is frozen blood worms, myself ,when I had Dwarf frogs, I'd feed them Shrimp pellets. It took a while for them to get soft enough to eat, but once the pellets were soft they were eaten up.

 

[raptorrex]

well i have mine in a community. i dont feed them, per se, i just add food to the tank as i always have. they seem happy and healthy.it may be worth keeping the water level to, around, 12 inches. not only are these guys, virtuall, blind. they dont swimm well either (especially vertically).

Couple things wrong there. Firstly frogs aren't virtually blind, if you put your hand or anything in the tank, they see it and swim away. Secondly frogs swim very well.

As said, the best staple food is frozen blood worms, myself ,when I had Dwarf frogs, I'd feed them Shrimp pellets. It took a while for them to get soft enough to eat, but once the pellets were soft they were eaten up.

frogs are known to have bad eyesight, i am not the only one to say so. and if you watch a frog (dwarf) try to reach the surface of a tank, you will understand the bad swimmer comment. they walk everywhere, and are weak swimmers, i am far from the only one to say that too. these comments simply don't fit with your view. that is a very big difference from them being wrong.

 

[mychilly]

Jonty-Just wanted to let you know that I have 5 ADF and they are excellent swimmers. Mine do go to the top to lounge on the top of plants sometimes but they have never tried to get out. They must like their home. They do like to hide under things. I find them very enjoyable to watch. They make me laugh. I feed them the same as the other fish. They do like algae wafers. They are in a 75 gal. tank with other community fish. Everyone gets along great. I love my frogs!

 

[lillypadlou]

Hiya,
I've just started keeping frogs too.
I have a 30L tank with three frogs and use gravel as a substrate, they seem to be okay but I might consider using sand instead. I use a filter because the bloodworm and other foods can make the water cloudy. I was also worried about them getting caught in the filter but my frogs swim away from it and are far to interested swimming around the bottom.

About your frogs swimming, when I got mine yesterday they didnt seem to do much at all but today they have been swimming all over the place!!!! Maybe some are better than others or it might be laziness!!

Good luck with your frogs xx
Lou