Albino African Dwarf Frog

The albino African dwarf frog (Hymenochirus boettgeri) is a fully aquatic frog from the streams and pools of central Africa, here in a pale pink line with dark eyes. It never leaves the water, but it does have lungs rather than gills, so it makes regular trips to the surface for air and then drifts back down in a slow, splayed-limb sprawl. Groups spend the day picking through substrate and plants with their front feet, which is a good deal more entertaining than the size of the animal suggests.

Aquarium care

• Small: adults reach roughly 4 cm.
• Peaceful, but slow and poorly sighted, so it is easily beaten to food.
• Keep three or more; they are social and much more active in company.
• Carnivorous: frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and sinking carnivore pellets.
• Bottom-dweller that must be able to reach the surface to breathe.
• Needs a covered tank and a water level below the rim, as they can escape.

They do best in their own tank or with very calm, slow-feeding companions. Fast fish will strip the food before the frogs find it, and anything large enough to bite will. Do not confuse them with African clawed frogs, which grow far larger and will eat them.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See what else is in the assorted and interesting tanks.