How to Care for Albino African Black Clawed Frogs

The Albino African Black Clawed Frog is a fully aquatic species of frog originating from the west coast of Africa. It makes for a fascinating pet. Both albinos and regular Black Clawed Frogs can be readily found in pet stores specializing in reptiles and amphibians, as their care needs are exactly the same. But even persons who've kept frogs as pets before may have trouble with this particular species, as their needs are different from the norm. Learn how to properly care for this type of frog.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 5 Gallon Tank
• Low Flow Filtration System
• Non-chlorinated Water
• Sand or Earth
• Fish Tank Decorations
• Frog Food

1. Prepare a fish tank for the frog to live in. This species spends one hundred percent of its time in the water so you will need to set up a tank of water as if you were keeping fish. For one or two frogs, a five gallon tank is the absolute minimum. The females can get to be about six-inches-long, the males being slightly smaller. This species is very active and likes to have plenty of room to move around.

2. Use clean sand or earth to line the bottom of the tank. These frogs will actively attempt to eat pebbles or gravel if it’s small enough to fit in their mouths. In other words, regular fish gravel is not appropriate. Along with the gravel, you should also include foliage, fake or real, good sized branches, and other decorations that give the frogs plenty of places to swim around and hide under.

3. Install a low-flow filtration system to keep the frogs' waste from polluting the water. African Black Clawed Frogs, either albino or normal, prefer water with little to no current. Any system particularly loud or powerful is not recommended. The amount of ammonia from the frogs' waste can become toxic very quickly. For this reason, the tank's water should be completely replaced weekly. Also, the tank's water should be completely chlorine free; any chlorine in the water will sicken and kill the frogs within a matter of hours--if not minutes.

4. Install a thermostat. This species is particularly hardy and has been known to survive temperatures below freezing point, but they can sicken if the temperature of their environment is off for prolonged periods. Water temperature should stay in the low 70 degrees F range year-round.

5. Feed the frogs roughly three times a week, but don't stint on the portions. These frogs subsist mainly on live food and have very strong hunting instinct. They can and will eat anything they can fit in their sizable mouths, though it can often be the death of them. Don't give them tetras or feeder goldfish as they contain an indigestible enzyme which can give your frog serious trouble. Instead give them blood worms, mosquito larvae, earthworms, tubifex worms, live ghost shrimp, beefheart brine shrimp, shrimp pellets and live guppies. They will readily stuff themselves, but don't worry about feeding them too much; they have enough sense to stop before they harm themselves.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the males separate from the females if at all possible. Albino African Black Clawed Frogs mate frequently and their tadpoles require care distinctly different from that of other species of frog hatchlings.
• This species of frog lacks a tongue to grab food with; instead it will scoop food into its mouth with its front legs/flippers.
• These frogs are voracious eaters and will readily attack other species of animal or smaller frogs they come across, because of this do not put other animals or fish in the same tanks As African Black Clawed Frogs.
• Before purchasing these frogs, ensure that you have both the time and money to adequately care for them. This species of frog can live for over fifteen years and represents a sizable investment.

Resources

• Breeding Habits of the Albino African Black Clawed Frog

[jackal8788]

on 10/25/2009 TO CARAG :::::::i feed my frog everyday..mayby he was hungry....im not sure about the feeding routine...but my frog eats everything anyway...includign small fish...so mayby you should feed him at least small food once a day..

[jackal8788]

on 10/25/2009 i have an albino african claw frog...and yesterday under his legs, had turned black, and close to his paws.......i have no idea what to do for him...can anyone give me insite on what to do to help him?? i havent found any sites that specializes in frogs, and allows you to ask questions...any help would be appreciated thanks...

[buddydog1]

on 10/9/2009 WE HAVE A 55 GAL FROG TERRARIUM WITH LARGE ROCK AND A POND IN THE MIDDLE PROB ABOUT 6IN DEEP WITH FILTRATION, THE REST IS DRY GROUND FOR OUR OTHER FROGS.
MY TWO AFRICAN ALBION'S HAVE BEEN GETTING OUT OF THE WATER, I HAVE READ THAT THEY ARE FULLY AQUACTIC. WHAT TO DO? WILL THEY BE OK? THEY GET BACK IN THE WATER BUT WE HAVE NEVER SEEN THEM OUT OF THE WATER THIS LONG...THEY ARE HANGING OUT WITH OUR WHITE'S TREE FROG, BULLFROG AND SALAMANDER....
CAN ANYONE HELP?

[raylemon]

on 9/8/2009 As for temperature, being in Singapore, the temperature is suitable for most tropical aquaria, so the article above doesn't really apply to me. The country's climate must be taken into account too.
Hope i have helped :)

[raylemon]

on 9/8/2009 Hi all, I have worked in two different aquariums before, and am a aquarium hobbyist myself. What i have observed is that different specimens of the same species might behave differently in terms of temperament and feeding habits. this applies to most pets. Keep in mind that predatory fish might be territorial. Having a bigger tank would mean that each specimen will have more of their own space and won't bother the others. As for feeding, a few factors must be considered too. eg.what did the shop owner feed it before u bought it.
It is true that some can be trained to eat certain foods but from my experience some would rather die than get used to eating something haha.
Also, water quality might affect how the animals feed too.
As for temperature, being in Singapore, the temperature is suitable for most tropical aquaria, so for the article above it doesn't really apply to me. The coun...