Tank Lighting for the African Dwarf Frog

African dwarf frogs originated in the Congo region of Africa, where they may have become extinct in the wild due to ecosystem disruption. Aquatic frogs sold at amphibian and reptile stores are not taken from the wild, but are bred specifically for life as aquarium pets. Before deciding to keep and raise African dwarf frogs, be sure you are able to meet their food, water, lighting, filtration and cleanliness needs.

  1. About African Dwarf Frogs

    • African dwarf frogs are very small aquatic frogs with webbed front feet. They prefer a roomy tank, although they grow to only about one and a half inches in length, with females being slightly larger than males. Their average lifespan is five years. Aquatic frogs are freshwater creatures, and their tanks should contain plain, clean, unchlorinated tap water. Choose a shallow two- to three-foot fish tank because dwarf frogs are not strong swimmers, and deep water can make it hard for them to surface for air. African dwarf frogs are subtropical, so the water temperature should stay at about 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Natural Lighting

    • The subject of lighting elicits some debate among herpetologists and knowledgeable frog owners, according to AllAboutFrogs.org. Unlike many reptiles and amphibians, aquatic frogs do not require full-spectrum lighting to be healthy. While full-spectrum lighting helps animals produce Vitamin D3, dwarf frogs acquire this vitamin through their diet. These nocturnal frogs might benefit from daily exposure to low levels of ultraviolet (UV) light, but they do not need artificial light. Aquatic dwarf frogs need natural daylight or regular room lights during the day, and natural darkness at night. For night viewing, get a special nocturnal bulb so you can watch the frogs̵7; nighttime activities without disturbing them.

    Sunlight and Bright Lights

    • Do not locate aquariums in direct sunlight, as this alters the temperature and pH of the tank and may endanger your frogs. It also encourages unwanted algae to flourish and increases the time you must spend cleaning the tank. Overly bright lights can damage your frogs' vision, and cause them to spend much of their time hiding. If you need to use artificial lighting, the preferable type for most frogs is fluorescent, because fluorescent lights are not as bright as incandescent bulbs and do not overheat water in the tank.

    Darkness

    • African dwarf frogs are nocturnal, and they swim more actively and search for food in darkness. If you house your frogs with fish that are faster and have better vision, you should occasionally give the frogs a feeding advantage by turning the lights off. Aquatic frogs depend on their sense of smell, not sight, so darkness does not impede them from finding enough food. They are also finely attuned to motion and will snap at and catch live food when it moves. African dwarf frogs are social creatures, and some owners believe their tiny amphibians are safer and happier in a tank with only other aquatic dwarf frogs.

    Cycles

    • Try to simulate natural day-and-night cycles by providing your frogs with eight to 12 hours of light and at least 12 hours of darkness. Otherwise they are at risk of losing some instinctive behaviors, adding stress to their lives and reducing their resistance to diseases. Light-and-dark cycles affect hunting, eating, swimming and even breathing. Although African dwarf frogs are completely aquatic and never need to leave the water, they cannot live unless they breathe air. Dwarf frogs swim slowly, and if their rhythm is off or their aquarium is too deep and they cannot reach the top of the tank in time to breathe, they will drown.

    Plant Lighting

    • Aquarium plants are attractive to aquatic frogs as well as those observing them.

      Artificial lighting is optional for these aquatic frogs, but if you want their habitat to contain live plants you will need artificial lighting to facilitate plant growth, according to Drs. Race Foster and Marty Smith. Floating plants provide welcome resting places close to the surface where aquatic frogs can bask and breathe. Dwarf frogs like to hide behind and in aquatic plants, which are also a source of water filtration. Because African dwarf frogs have delicate skin that can be easily damaged, choose ferns and other soft aquarium plants and smooth, nonabrasive rocks, sand and hiding places.