Tips about keeping dwarf frogs?

Question

Hey i was think of using my 5 gallon tank as a dwarf frog/tetra community tank. I will get two dwarf frogs, but im unsure of the tetra's.

Here are my questions:

Tetra Questions:

- Should i put tetra's in with the frogs? If so how many?

- If i get tetra's do i need some sort of air block?

If i Dont get tetra's:

- If i only get the frogs, should i put a filter in?

- What food should i feed the frogs?

- Do i need an air block?

-Will a 5 gallon tank be suitable?

I would appreciate frog owners to answer this, not fish owners.

Answer 1

HEY! I have 2 african dwarf frogs, Bonnie and Clyde! lol! They are just the Cutest little things! Ok, they can go great with tetras! For that size tank I reccommend smaller tetras like neons, rummy nose, cardinals. But only 1 type. Those are just types I life! Not larger tetras like black skirt tetras or bleeding heart tetras (I know, awesome name!lol!) Tetras do not need some sort of air block. Make sure the filter intake is covered by a nylon stockin so the frogs legs don't get stuck in it and drown.=(

I say about 4-5 tetras with the 2 frogs, you can even have 3-4 frogs in there with the tetras!

Ok if you decide not to go with tetras, yes you still need a filter.Sponge filter works best or a reguler filter with a nylon stocking over the intake. African dwarf frogs eat frozen foods, frozen bloodworms should make up most of their diet. They enjoy the 2-3 times a week treat of frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, water fleas, or small peices of uncooked fish filets. Since they can not see very well i6 is best to reach your arm down and put the food right in front of there face. That is why smaller tanks are best, so you can find the frogs every day to feed them so they won't starve. No air block required for frog either! 5 gallon is a very good size for them! I actually have my 2 frogs in a 6 gallon with a dwarf gourami and kuholi loaches. Also, you may thing your frog is dead when you see it floating at the top of the water. This is called the "zen" position. I have noticed when a frog goes to froggy heaven they sink. They live about 5-10 years. It is so muc fun to watch their antics! They love a well planted tank with lots of hiding spots. I put in a small clay pot and the frogs love to hide in it, so cute! One last thing, telling the s*x of your frog is really easy. In the armpit area of the males, ther will be a very obviouse white lump. This is used in spawning. Mature females are also much larger than mature males. I have a male and a female, and plan to breed once the female is old enough.=)

Good luck with your frogs, and feel free to e-mail me with any questions!

Edit: I forgot to mention, DO NOT add the frogs untill after the tank is cycled...or they will croak, literally!=(

Answer 2

I keep 4 ADF's in a 10 gallon with fish and it works very well. However, a 5 gallon is a little small for keeping more than ADF's. You can keep a tetra or two with them, but tetras and most other community fish appreciate a school of at least 5, which would require an upgrade to at least a 10 gallon.

If you want to keep a fish or two with your frogs, you can add some tetras - black neons are the hardier of all of the ones I've kept, but for ADF's I use Rasboras - but limit it to 3 and consider getting a filter to something rated for  a 10 gallon or up. Healthy juvenile frogs won't get their legs caught in filters rated for 29 gallons tanks or under - that's what I use for my 10 gallon and the suction isn't strong enough to catch them. If you get small frogs (body is under 1/2 of an inch), you can use the end of a pantyhose leg to make sure, but in my experience it just means cleaning junk off of it.

The fish won't need anything more than a filter and a heater, if you don't already have one, and may benefit from a thickly planted tank. Use only silk or real plants, as the frogs may cut themselves on hard plastic ones.

You should get some test kits to measure ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, if you don't have them already, as 'overstocking' your tank can result in some ammonia swings that may harm your frogs - their skins are more sensitive to ammonia burns than fish scales.

Remember to cycle your tank, add fish (and frogs!) gradually and monitor your parameters (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate) carefully. Also, choosing a more natural substrate (sand, unpainted pebble gravel, carefully washed river rocks) that is either too big to fit in the frogs' mouths - large smooth rocks - or sand, which will often pass without harm, will make everyone happy!