Small american dwarf frog

[Mariah]

Hi,
Can you guys tell me everything I need to know about a "small american dwarf frog" please?
I just bought 2 of them at the lfs and would like to put one of them in a 2 gallon tank with one of my bettas and keep the other in my 10 gallon community tank.
Is this ok to do?
Thanks!

Edited to add - There currently in my 10 gallon community tank and are hiding in the crombia... Is this normal?

 

[Kiarra]

It sounds like they are AFRICAN Dwarf Frogs.

They generally reach 1 - 1 1/2 inches through the body, not including legs. They are generally peaceful, and love the company of their own kind. They will probably not eat flakes or pellets (mine don't!), but should be fed live blackworms and/or live or frozen bloodworms, but not every day. It should be suitable to feed them every other day, or even every 3rd day. They are not particularly bright when it comes to food, and, usually, before they realize that there is food in the tank, the fish have eaten it all. It is for that reason that they are often kept alone, or fed specifically by using a turkey baster and dropping the food right in front of them.

They can be kept with Bettas, as long as the Betta is mild in temperament and does not mind them. Any nipping, and they should be separated. The frogs, however, may latch onto the Betta's fins in their quest for food. This is often mistaken for aggression; however, it rarely is, and the frog will almost invariably let go when he realizes the fin is not a food source.

They escape from tanks very easily, and, once out there, they dry up and die very quickly. So please cover your tank, and leave no holes where they can sneak out.

It would be better if you kept them together.

Do not use salt or chemicals in the water other than dechlor when you have frogs present. It is very toxic to them, and they absorb it readily through their skin. It may not result in immediate death, but long-term damage is done.

 

[Mariah]

Kiarra, your just a book of knowledge!

So its ok if I keep them in my 10 gallon together? Also they are hiding, Is that normal? I will buy some frog food for them and feed them that. But how exactly do I feed them so I know they got fed?

Also would you advice against putting 1 frog (ill go out and get another) in with one of my bettas who is in a 2 gallon tank?

I guess they were labelled wrong at the lfs.. Because they were labelled "american" Is there no such thing?

Thanks

 

[Kiarra]

As far as I know, there is no such thing as an American Dwarf Frog, least of all one that's fully aquatic.

They are nocturnal, so it's normal and reasonable for them to hide during the day. This also lends itself to you making sure to feed them in the evening, when they're conscious.

To feed them, suck up some blackworms or bloodworms with a turkey baster and a little bit of tank water. Then put the turkey baster in the water and squeeze the food right out in front of the frog. It's best to also distract the fish before you feed the frogs...give the fish some food on the opposite side of the tank from where the frogs are.

You can go get another one for your Betta tank. They do prefer to be in groups, though, which you can do, if you get two and just change the water in the Betta tank a little more often.

And, yes, it's fine if you want to keep them in the 10 gallon. Just make sure that all potential exit points are covered, as it'd be only a matter of time before they found a way to escape.

One note about them...if you keep them in your bedroom, the males DO call during the spring and probably the summer, too. It sounds like an electronic hum, rather like a constantly running and slightly defective remote control car. This is done starting in the late evening and extending through much of the night.

 

[Mariah]

Hmm, I just got a close look at one of my frogs and hes missing half his little foot! Just the webbed part of the foot.. The toe part... Is that ok?
Can these guys spread disease to my fish if hes missing part of his foot? Sorry if that sounds stupid... Is there a way to grow his foot back? .....

So you say they make a "call" How loud is this call?

Also is it ok to feed the food thats marked "frog food"?

Thanks again

 

[Kiarra]

I specifically got some frog pellets for mine. They're essentially formulated the same as Betta pellets, except they're softer. The frogs, naturally, won't touch them. So now those pellets are Betta food.

I'd really recommend getting some live or frozen food, like blackworms or bloodworms. It's better for them, and they'll probably actually eat it. But you're welcome to try other foods if it so pleases you.

I'm certain it's not GOOD that he's missing his toes. It's probably quite painful. But I doubt it can harm the fish at all, and it also doubt he's diseased. More likely, something bit them off. Just keep the water extra clean to make sure it doesn't get infected, and he should be all right.

The call is fairly loud, especially in a quiet room where people are trying to sleep. Mine are in my bedroom, and I have very much gotten used to it and learned to sleep through it.

I should also mention, and nearly forgot to mention, that they do quite regularly shed their skin. It looks quite odd when they do. It looks rather like they are shedding a slime coat, and they jerk and twitch and bite at themselves when they are shedding. But it is perfectly normal. The frogs will also occasionally eat the skin they have shed. All perfectly normal and perfectly natural.

 

[Mariah]

The reason I ask if hes could be diseased is because the part of his foot that is missing - around that part its a white color...

Im going to try the frog pellets but if he dosent eat that I will feed the bloodworms which I have at home.

How big of tank should a tank be if im going to put 1 in a tank? I "may" put one frog in the 2 gallon with my betta... What about a 1 gallon with a betta? How often would the water have to be changed?

Are frogs dirty animals?

And Kiarra, thats really good to know about the sheeding of the skin... I would of freaked if I saw that happening!!

 

[Kiarra]

I'd say 2 gallons is pretty safe for a minimum tank size. It gives them room to roam. They do prefer longer tanks over taller ones.

I don't know of a frog disease that would cause him to lose his toes. But it is my great suspicion that it was bit off more than anything else.

Frogs aren't really dirty, per se. But they do release a little bit more than their fair share of waste. Usually, this isn't a problem. Just do one or two more water changes than you would usually do in a week, and they should be fine. If you notice the water is getting dirtier than you'd like, change it even sooner.