Caring For African Dwarf Frogs
African Dwarf Frogs have become a popular addition to aquariums. These little frogs are fully aquatic, so you don’t have to worry about a half aquatic and half terrain aquarium. African Dwarf Frogs will actually die outside of the water.
The bottom-scavenger frogs make a great choice for children and controlling your fry populations. To reduce the amount of fry guppies you have in your tank, get some African Dwarf Frogs. They’ll eat guppy eggs to help ease the situation. These frogs are more difficult to care for if they’re not being used to manage a guppy population.
African Dwarf Frogs are finicky eaters, but we have compiled a mini-guide on how to keep your aquatic buddies in top shape with full bellies. In this article, we will explore some feeding tips and characteristics of African Dwarf Frogs.
Feeding Dwarf Frogs
As mentioned above, African Dwarf Frogs are difficult to feed because they are finicky eaters but on top of that, they are slow eaters and cannot compete with fish. Aquarium owners must ensure that African Dwarf Frogs are able to remain in the water for longer periods of time without becoming disintegrated. As the dwarf frogs are slow eaters, they may choose to return to a food source at a later time to grab another bite.
Frozen bloodworms and live blackworms are the best options for African Dwarf Frogs. While frozen bloodworms may be the most well-known food source, they can also be a great choice for aquatic critters. Frozen bloodworms won’t disintegrate quickly, so your frogs are able to enjoy their favorite foods. Although freeze dried bloodworms are an option, they can also be used. However, dried bloodworms tend to float to the surface while frozen bloodworms fall to the bottom as soon as they defrost. Living black worms might be a better choice if you don’t have to feed them every day.
While blackworms may not be the most common food choice for African Dwarf Frogs they have their own unique set of benefits. You can usually purchase a portion of black worms from your local fish store. These worms will live in your tank and will burrow into the gravel. This makes them a more long-lasting food source. These worms can be kept inside the tank as they are able to provide food for hungry frogs.
African Dwarf Frogs eat worms by grasping and pulling them into their mouths with a jerking motion. The way the blackworms move will encourage your frogs to eat them and if you have any docile fish in the tank, they will enjoy a snack as well. Blackworms are also an excellent choice for your frog’s food source because they pack high levels of protein. Your frogs will be healthier and more fat-free if they have high levels of protein.
Both black and frozen bloodworms can be used as a food source of high quality. High-quality food will make your frogs happier and keep their tank cleaner. Many times these frogs will be sold at other locations than pet shops. The aquarium must be smaller than the space available for waste dispersal. Higher levels of waste mean less health and more work to clean the tank. By investing in a larger tank and high-quality food, your animals will live healthier and happier lives.
Food pellets are a food source that should be avoided. As mentioned, the African Dwarf Frogs are slow eaters and pellets dissolve in water rapidly. Your frogs will have less time to enjoy their meal before a pellet becomes to disintegrated to eat. Also, pellets that are disintegrated can cause more waste to your tank. However, if you do choose to feed your African Dwarf Frogs pellets, it is best to place the pellets in a petri dish inside the tank. This way if the pellets do disintegrate, they are less like to disperse throughout the tank or become lodged in the gravel.
African Dwarf frog behavior
It is important to note that African Dwarf Frogs are known for their common behavior. This often causes owners concern. Many people will express worry for their frogs when they see them hugging each other and not moving for up to a day and a half. This is a normal behavior for the frogs and indicates that they are mating. Female African Dwarf Frogs are wider, whereas the males are skinnier. There is no reason to be alarmed if you see a smaller one hugging a bigger one. The frogs are simply doing as nature calls.
If you are looking to help raise a few tadpoles, you should be sure you have the space to do so. As well, any fish that are in the tank with the frogs may pose a threat. While adult frogs may co-exist with docile fish easily, most fish will attempt to eat the frog eggs.
African Dwarf Frogs are a wonderful addition to any tank. If you are sure to feed them correctly, in no time you could have thriving and happy frogs living in your aquarium.