Albino African Frog Care

The African clawed frog is generally olive brown to gray in color but, for the purposes of the pet trade, can also be albino. These albino frogs would likely not live long in the wild but, as a pet, are slightly more unique than commonly colored frogs and are no more difficult to care for. An albino African clawed frog has exactly the same requirements as frogs of common colors.

  1. Housing

    • The albino African frog needs a long, glass aquarium as it is an active species. The frog grows to around 5 inches in length and tends to never leave the water, although it may try to escape the tank, so it needs a tight, secure lid. The bottom of the aquarium should have a layer of large gravel as the frog may swallow finer substrate. No metal decorations should be used in the aquarium as this can make the water toxic for the frog. The tank needs decorations of some kind so the frog has places to hide and explore, and the layout should be changed regularly.

    Conditions

    • The frog is sensitive to water conditions and vibrations, so only a weak water filter can be used, if at all. If a suitable filter cannot be found, the water will have to be changed daily to keep it clean. The frog should have areas of the tank where it can stand on the bottom but have its head above the water, so depth should be between 7 inches to 12 inches. Water needs to be either dechlorinated or bottled spring water as chlorine is harmful to the frog.The water temperature needs to be between 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Feeding

    • An albino African frog needs to be fed three to four times a week with as much food as it can eat within 10 minutes. Excess food will only cause the water to become dirty quicker, so never overfeed. Earthworms, wax worms or small fish are all suitable foods as is commercial turtle pellet food. The food has to be a manageable size as the frog has no tongue or any teeth and has to push the food into its mouth with its hands.

    Handling

    • Like aquarium fish, the African frog is not really a pet you should handle. It has a very slippery skin, so it is hard to hold and dropping is a real risk. If the frog has to be moved for tank cleaning, do not use a fish net as this can damage the frog's delicate legs and feet. Make sure the grip is firm but gentle with hands that are clean and wet. Have the temporary holding area for the frog nearby so that it is not held for too long.