*African Clawed Frogs (ACFs), aka Xenopus, are 100% aquatic and should never be out of water. Adult ACFs require at least 15-20 gallons of water per frog…they need room to swim!

*Add 10 drops each of the water conditioners, AmQuel and NovAqua, for every gallon of tap water (or one teaspoon of each per 10 gallons water) to remove toxic chlorine, chloramines, ammonia and heavy metals.

*ACFs are most active in the evenings, while resting throughout the day.

*Females grow to about 5" snout to vent (nose to butt) length and the males to about 3.5"-4". Both get very pudgy when fully grown.

*ACFs have webbing between the toes of their large back flippers but have no webbing of their front flippers, hence the term “clawed” frogs. Adult males develop “dirty hands”, called “nuptial pads”, and their palms and part of their arms become dark, almost black when mature and they may start "hugging" (amplexsus) with other frogs in an effort to reproduce. Mature females develop a small “tail” between their legs, called the cloacal extension, through which they expel their eggs while mating.

*They are very social frogs and do best with at least one other ACF as a tankmate, but the two need to be close in size or the bigger one will try to eat the smaller one. ACFs don't make good tankmates for fish or anything they can and will stuff into their mouths for a meal.

*ACFs are great escape artists, so you’ll need a lid on your tank. They breathe air from the water’s surface, so be sure to leave space for air between the lid & water’s surface. A tank with an adjustable-flow filter works best for ACFs, in the event that the water current needs to be slowed down.

*ACFs like to hide, so an aquarium-safe cave is ideal. Make sure that it’s big enough for an adult ACF, so they don’t get stuck. They should always be able to leave their “hidey” place, while moving forward because turning around and moving in reverse is very difficult for them.

*Keep the water temperature ideally for Xenopus laevis at 64-72*F (18-22*C) and for Xenopus tropicalis at 74 -82*F (23-27.5*C). Never set them in direct sunlight or on anything that heats up (e.g. PC/TV). Use a stick-on-the-outside (liquid crystal) thermometer to monitor the water’s temperature.

*The substrate (bottom of the tank) used in an ACF tank needs to be smooth for an ACF’s sensitive skin and smooth and small enough to pass through an ACF’s digestive system in case it is swallowed. If gravel/rock is used, it must be very small, that is, small enough to pass or too big for an ACF to swallow in the first place. Sand is a very good substrate to use because if an ACF swallows the sand while eating, it will be able to pass it with ease. A soft sand that is suitable for freshwater stingrays and catfish is perfect for ACFs. Stay away from any kind of rough feeling sand such as coral sand because not only will it be uncomfortable for the frogs, but coral sand will also alter the pH.

*Plants in an ACF’s tank need to have roots or be potted securely because ACFs like to play with the plants and will constantly pull them out of the substrate, destroying them.

*Feed a varied diet, but no freeze-dried or dry pelleted foods, which can cause intestinal blockage and death. ACFs are meat eaters and they should not be fed a diet of fish flakes. Frozen (but thawed) bloodworms, brine shrimp, beef-heart (on occasion), krill, squid and reptile sticks (e.g. Reptomin) provide a good variety of foods. A frog's tummy will bulge slightly when fed enough. Overfeeding can lead to health problems. It will not harm an ACF to go for a day or two on occasion without being fed. Some keepers will feed their ACFs “feeder” fish on occasion, such as goldfish, guppies, or rosies, but the conditions under which feeder fish are typically raised in pet stores, brings into question the health of such fish. Your frog will be healthy without ever being fed a live fish.

*For more information about these wonderful aquatic frogs, check out the Flippers ‘n’ Fins’ African Clawed Frog forum and ask any questions and share your experiences as well on-line. Come visit us & join in the fun at www.flippersandfins.net!