← All species · Frogs

Surinam Toad

Pipa pipa

AdvancedFamily Pipidae

A bizarre, flattened aquatic frog famous for raising young in the skin of its back.

✅ We have a full, fact-checked care sheet for the Surinam Toad.

Open the Surinam Toad care sheet →

📋 At a glance

Tank
Fully aquatic 40 gal+ (1–2), warm and filtered
Temp
Warm mid-70s to low-80s°F (a heater)
Water
Dechlorinated, sand or bare bottom — no gravel
Food
Worms, fish, sinking foods — target-fed
Lifespan
7–15 years

✅ Utterly bizarre and hardy in warm, clean water — a true conversation piece for the aquatic keeper.

🛒 Before you buy

  • A large, warm, filtered aquarium (they reach ~6–8 in)
  • Sand or a bare bottom (never gravel)
  • A tight lid + strong filtration
  • Target-feeding worms/fish (poor eyesight — it hunts by touch)

A healthy one: Flat, angular, leaf-like body · well-fleshed · using its star-tipped fingers to find food · clear skin.

🚨 See a vet / act now if…

  • Not eating / weight loss
  • Bloating or floating oddly
  • Red or raw skin (water quality)
  • Fungus

⛔ Never

  • Gravel substrate
  • Cold or poor-quality water
  • Small tankmates it will inhale

Common surinam toad questions

How hard are Surinam Toads to keep — are they good for beginners?

Advanced. A bizarre, flattened, fully-aquatic frog — famous for raising young in its back. A specialist.

What do Surinam Toads eat?

Worms, fish, sinking foods — target-fed

What size tank do Surinam Toads need?

Fully aquatic 40 gal+ (1–2), warm and filtered

What temperature do Surinam Toads need?

Warm mid-70s to low-80s°F (a heater)

What water setup do Surinam Toads need?

Dechlorinated, sand or bare bottom — no gravel

How long do Surinam Toads live?

7–15 years

What are the signs Surinam Toads are sick?

See an exotics vet if you notice: Not eating / weight loss; Bloating or floating oddly; Red or raw skin (water quality); Fungus.

Free tools for the surinam toad

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

🎓 Ready to go deeper?

Past the basics — genetics & morphs, responsible breeding, tankmates, and advanced setups. Same plain voice, no ceiling:

Keep up with Surinam Toad care

You're reading the full, fact-checked surinam toad guide — free. Join the burrow for honest care emails, aesthetic freebies and conservation news whenever we publish. Free sheets and tools always stay open. No spam, no gatekeeping.

Free amphibian care cheat-sheet when you join. No spam — pinky-promise. Unsubscribe anytime.