Dwarf African Frog (Hymenochirus curtipes), Tank-Bred

The Dwarf African Frog is an extremely popular, fully aquatic species that is a classic in the aquarium hobby and it can be an excellent addition to the planted aquarium!

The Dwarf African Frog (Hymenochirus curtipes) is a fully aquatic species that is native to slow-moving and stagnant waterways of Sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike the related African Dwarf Frog (Xenopus laevis), it maintains a small size of less than 3 inches (7.5 cm) and can be an excellent member of many community aquarium setups. 

The Dwarf African Frog is a hardy species that is much less skittish than many other frogs and toads. While it is not too particular about water parameters, this species does require very clean water with very gentle flow. Regular maintenance is essential since it is a messy and voracious eater. It will thrive in an aquarium with some decor for cover. The Dwarf African Frog is not afraid to jump and climb, so a secure, tight-fitting lid is necessary to prevent it from escaping its enclosure.

While it is a generally peaceful species with other animals too large to be considered prey, the Dwarf African Frog is a predator that will eat anything that it can fit in its mouth, so it is not a good candidate to be housed with tiny fish and invertebrates such as dwarf shrimp. The Dwarf African Frog should never be kept with large or aggressive fish that might bully or prey upon it. It can live communally with its own species.

A scavenger by nature, the Dwarf African Frog is not a picky eater. In fact, care must be taken to ensure that it does not overeat. It will easily eat most high-quality live, frozen, and dry amphibian and fish foods, although it typically will not eat most flake foods. Variety without overfeeding is crucial in providing long-term, comprehensive nutrition to the Dwarf African Frog.

What We Like About This Animal:

• Extremely unique and entertaining
• Very hardy and adaptable
  
• Very active and outgoing
• Thrives in the planted aquarium
  
• Compatible with other species too large to be considered prey

RECOMMENDED TANK PARAMETERS: 

• Temperature:  72° - 78° F (22° - 26° C).
• pH:  6.5 - 7.8
• KH:  5 - 20 dKH
• Minimum tank size:  10 gallons for a small group

CARE GUIDELINES:

• Diet:  Scavenger. Requires a varied diet of live, frozen and dry foods
• Social behavior:  Peaceful with its own species and other non-prey species
• Origin:  Tank-bred, but indigenous to Sub-Saharan Africa
• Average adult size:  2 inches (5 cm), females are larger than males
• Average purchase size:  1 - 1.5 inches (2.5 - 3.8 cm)