Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions that people ask me about African Dwarf Frogs. If you have that is not answered here (or elsewhere on the website) please don't hesitate to ask me!
"How long do ADFs live?"
These frogs typically live between 2-5 years in captivity, though 6-7 is not unheard of. Many claim that these frogs can live up to 20 years, however it is my assumption that those making such claims are confusing the African Dwarf Frog with the African Clawed Frog, who have an average lifespan of 16-20 years.
"Can you keep a single ADF on its own?"
While you can keep a single ADF, I strongly advise against this, as do most ADF keepers. These frogs prefer to live in large groups as they do in the wild, this is part of what keeps them happy and healthy. Considering the fact that it doesn't take much more effort/space to house 2 than it does 1, keeping an ADF alone doesn't make much sense.
"How big of a tank do you need to keep these frogs?"
The general rule among ADF enthusiasts is 2.5 gallons per frog, so the smallest set-up one should have would be a 5 gallon tank containing 2 frogs. However, I think that a 10 gallon tank is the smallest that one should house these frogs in. A 10 gallon can comfortably house 4 of these frogs, and you could even add a tank-mate or two of another species, still providing enough room for everyone to live happily.
"What kind of tank-mates can you keep with these frogs?"
When it comes to choosing other aquatic life to house with your ADFs, there is a large variety to choose from, but one must be very careful in deciding which is right for their aquarium. The larger the tank you have, the more like an ecosystem it becomes, it is up to you to figure out which species will fit best in your ecosystem. To read more about the specifics of this, visit the Choosing Tank-Mates page.
"Do I have an African Dwarf Frog or an African Clawed Frog?"
Many people confuse ADF & ACF because they are both commonly called "aquatic frogs" in a general sense. There are many ways to tell the difference between ADF, to find out how to tell these frogs apart. Please visit the General Description page and scroll down to the bottom where it explains the differences between the ADF and the ACF.
