How to Care for Baby Red Eyed Tree Frogs

Prized by amphibian enthusiasts, red eyed tree frogs add color and personality to your vivarium. These excellent jumpers begin life as tiny tadpoles that need little more than watery home. About seven to nine weeks after the tadpoles hatch, you will have happy hopping frogs.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-gallon aquarium
  • Aquarium gravel
  • Aquatic plants
  • Dechlorinated water
  • Mechanical filter
  • Air pump
  • Aquarium thermometer
  • Reptile screen
  • Newspaper
  • Tadpole food
  • 2 large aquarium stones
  • Pinhead crickets, fruit flies and aphids
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a 20-gallon aquarium to house your tadpoles. Include 1 inch of aquarium gravel and several aquatic plants. Fill the tank about three-quarters full with dechlorinated water. Attach a filter and air pump to keep the water clean and aerated.

    • 2

      Place thermometer inside the tank in the water. Keep the water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a pH of 6.8 to 7.2.

    • 3

      Transfer the tadpoles to the tank three days after they hatch. Feed them a small amount of commercial tadpole food each day.

    • 4

      Place a reptile screen over the tank. Lay newspaper saturated with distilled water on the screen. Put the top on the tank to keep the humidity level high.

    • 5

      Begin to lower the water level as the tadpoles begin to grow legs. Add a couple of large, smooth aquarium stones for the froglets to climb on after their legs become functional.

    • 6

      Feed the froglets pinhead crickets, fruit flies and aphids. Froglets frequently eat very little while they are reabsorbing their tails.