Why Does My Dwarf Frog Have a Red Eye?

The African dwarf frog is an aquatic frog that is perfect for beginners and a joy to keep.
There are a number of reasons why a pet frog may have one or two red eyes. In the case of the African dwarf frog, this species does not normally have red eyes, and something may be wrong if you notice that your dwarf frog has one or two red eyes.

  1. Albinism

    • Albinism is a genetic mutation where the afflicted animal has no black pigment in its skin or eyes. In this case, the dwarf frog is an albino and will appear to be all white with bright red or pink eyes. Albinism is not a disease, and there is nothing wrong with the frog. If the frog is not an albino, red eyes are either disease- or injury-related.

    Bacteria and Fungus

    • Bacteria, dirty water and temperatures that are higher than normal can cause the frog to develop blood clots in one or both eyes. These blood clots will make the frog's eyes appear red and bulgy. Fungal infections can also affect the eyes, causing the same appearance. If the cause is fungus-related, other areas of the frog may be affected and will be white and fuzzy-looking in appearance.

    Injury

    • If a frog bumps up against something with enough force, it may develop a cut or lesion. If these lesions become infected, they can appear red. The eyes or the area surrounding the eye can also appear red if the lesion or injury is in that area.

    Treatment

    • The first step when dealing with any bacterial or fungal infection is to clean the tank thoroughly to eliminate the bacterial and fungus in the water. If possible, put your frog in a clean quarantine tank and change its water completely. Because dwarf frogs are aquatic, some aquatic fish medications can be used to treat bacterial and fungal infections. MarOxy is a drug available in pet stores to cure fungal and bacterial infections and can be used for this purpose.

      In the case of injuries, dwarf frogs may be able to heal on their own. However, if the lesion has become infected, the cleaning step should still be taken.

    Prevention

    • Keeping a clean environment for the frog is the best way to prevent illness caused by bacteria and fungus. Preventing cross-contimination when introducing another frog or animal into the tank as well as performing regular water changes can help keep the frog's habitat clean.

      Injuries can be prevented by ensuring that there is nothing in the frog's habitat that is sharp or unstable that may cut or fall on the frog.