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African Dwarf Frog

Hymenochirus boettgeri

BeginnerFamily Pipidae

A tiny fully-aquatic frog for the planted community tank — endearing and easy to over-look.

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✅ We have a full, fact-checked care sheet for the African Dwarf Frog.

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📋 At a glance

Tank
5 gal+ per frog, fully aquatic, with hides + surface plants
Temp
72–78°F, stable (usually needs a gentle heater)
Water
Low flow, ~12 in max depth, dechlorinated · 10–20% weekly change
Food
Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms / brine shrimp — target-fed
Lifespan
~5 years (up to ~10 with great care)

✅ Peaceful and fully aquatic — happy in a gentle planted tank, as long as it can reach the surface to breathe.

🛒 Before you buy

  • A cycled, filtered aquarium (5 gal+ per frog) with a lid
  • A GENTLE filter (they hate current) + décor/plants to reach the surface
  • A heater to hold a steady 72–78°F
  • A target-feeding plan (they are slow, and fish out-compete them)

A healthy one: Plump and active · surfacing to breathe · clear eyes · all four webbed feet · not skeletal.

🚨 See a vet / act now if…

  • Bloating or "dropsy" (a pinecone, puffed-up look)
  • Red legs or skin (bacterial — a water-quality alarm)
  • Not eating, or wasting away
  • Cottony white fungus patches

⛔ Never

  • Confusing them with African CLAWED frogs (much bigger, predatory)
  • An uncycled or unfiltered tank
  • Strong current, or letting fish steal all the food

Common african dwarf frog questions

How hard are African Dwarf Frogs to keep — are they good for beginners?

Beginner. Easy — IF you treat it as a fully-aquatic pet with real water quality, not a throwaway.

What do African Dwarf Frogs eat?

Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms / brine shrimp — target-fed

What size tank do African Dwarf Frogs need?

5 gal+ per frog, fully aquatic, with hides + surface plants

What temperature do African Dwarf Frogs need?

72–78°F, stable (usually needs a gentle heater)

What water setup do African Dwarf Frogs need?

Low flow, ~12 in max depth, dechlorinated · 10–20% weekly change

How long do African Dwarf Frogs live?

~5 years (up to ~10 with great care)

What are the signs African Dwarf Frogs are sick?

See an exotics vet if you notice: Bloating or "dropsy" (a pinecone, puffed-up look); Red legs or skin (bacterial — a water-quality alarm); Not eating, or wasting away; Cottony white fungus patches.

Free tools for the african dwarf frog

Calm, honest help — each one knows when to say "see a vet."

Symptom checkerTriage a worrying sign and know when to see a vet.Aquatic setup plannerTank, water, filtration & drowning-prevention.Water interpreterMake sense of your water-test numbers.Common questionsReal questions keepers ask — answered straight.

📚 More frogs guides

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