Take Care of an Aquatic Frog

Aquatic frogs make a fun pet provided you know how to set up their housing and care for them. Fortunately, these frogs are low-maintenance, making this delightful frog ideal for the person who doesn't have a lot of time on their hand but would still love to have a pet. As an added bonus, frogs fit into small places, ideal for the home with little space.

Steps

Choosing the housing

  1. Choose appropriate housing for your frog. It will need a tank of a size that allows it move around with ease.
  2. Add items to make the house more comfortable for the frog. You'll need some small rocks, gravel and some shells (shells are optional but look good). Algae killer will be needed to keep the housing safe; follow the package directions for use.
    • Frogs also like plants to use as hiding places.
  3. Fill the tank. Put room temperature, non-chlorinated water into the tank. Fill the tank until it is three quarters (3/4) full.
    • Each frog needs about a gallon of water.
    • Water temperature matters, especially if raising tadpoles. Tadpoles grow faster in warmer temperatures, around 62ºF-70ºF is suitable for tadpoles.
  4. Add the finishing touches. Place a bunch of shells, pebbles, etc in the bottom of the tank. Position them so that the frog has plenty of places to hide.

Feeding the frog

  1. Purchase frog pellets or sticks. One good food type is ReptoMin Floating Food Sticks. These are manufactured for aquatic turtles, newts and frogs. You can probably get it at most pet stores.
    • For average sized frogs 3-6 sticks a day, broken in half are fine. You need to break the stick in half though, to make it easier for them to swallow.
    • Sprinkle the food on top of the water.
  2. Feed other food types. Aquatic frogs will also eat, brine shrimp and fish food. Sometimes they eat leftover food from the bottom of the tank but it's a good idea to remove uneaten food before it creates a mess and becomes a hazard.

Keeping the frog's habitat clean

  1. Clean the tank every month for most aquatic frogs. However, be aware that some frogs like the water murky, such as African Water Frogs, so you won't have to clean it as often.
  2. To clean the tank, take a bucket and put about 5 inches/12.5cm of room temperature non-chlorinated water in it. Take a net and quickly scoop the frog into the bucket.
  3. Using a different bucket, scoop the old water out and throw it outside. Keep doing this until the tank is light enough to carry. Then carry it to your sink.
    • A vacuum tube made for cleaning tanks can make this easier.
  4. Dump the shells and pebbles into a pile. Use water and a scrub brush to scrub out any algae and slime.
  5. Rinse the tank. Put it back where it normally lives. Put fresh room temperature non-chlorinated water in it, again filling to 3/4 full. Add some non-harmful algae killer in with the water as you pour it in.
  6. Set the pebbles and shells back into the tank.
  7. Put the bucket of water with the frogs in it back into the tank. Do NOT pour the frogs back in because your pet frog may be harmed in the process. Done.



Tips

  • If you have tadpoles, break down pellets. Frogs should be able to eat pellets whole.
  • With some frogs, you can teach them to come for food by tickling the water with your finger.
  • Don't expect them to eat their food right away.
  • Consider feeding them boiled lettuce or even fish food.
  • If your frogs swell up, or have red eyes, take them out and separate that frog from the others.
  • Put tall plants in the tank it gives them an easier way to get air.

Warnings

  • Wash your hands after handling the frogs. That's just a reminder.
  • If the water smells, change it.
  • Try not to handle the frogs; they should be in water at all times.

Things You'll Need

  • Tank
  • Water
  • Algae killer
  • Net
  • ReptoMin floating food sticks, turtle food, or frog pellets
  • 2 buckets

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