Xenopus laevis

From The Aquarium Wiki

African Clawed Frog
Male Albino African Clawed Frog
Species	Xenopus laevis
Difficulty	Easy
Min. Tank Size	75.708 liters 75,708.236 mL 20 US Gallons (75.7L)
Size	20.32 cm 5-8 " (12.7-20.3cm)
pH	6.8 - 7.5
Temp.	288.15 K 59 °F 518.67 °R 299.15 K 78.8 °F 538.47 °R15 -26 °C (59-78.8°F)
Water Hardness	2-12
Stocking Ratio	1:2 M:F
Availability	Common
Diet	Carnivore Live Foods Other (See article)
Life Span	10-20 years

[edit] Alternative names

African Clawed Frog, ACF, Congo Frog, Aquatic Clawed Frog, Clawed African Frog, CAF, Common Plantanna, Golden Congo Frog

[edit] Sexing

Mature male has black markings on the inside of his hands and arms. Male sings. Female is larger but mostly mute. Cloaca is prominent on female.

[edit] Tank compatibility

Spends the majority of its time on the bottom, but will come to the surface to eat. Should only be kept with large fish, as anything that can fit inside its cavernous mouth will end up there.

[edit] Diet

Unlike the small Dwarf African Frog, the Clawed frog is a voracious predator, and will consume prey as large as small goldfish and crayfish. Frozen Lancefish, Tuna flesh and earthworms are best foods. Do not feed frozen bloodworms too often, as this food is not rich in protein and may even be bad for it. Like many aquarium inhabitants, it can be trained to take common foods such as pellets, however more uncommon foods (wafers, earthworms, grubs, small 'feeder' fish and invertebrates, et al.) will prove to be better for your frog.

[edit] Feed Regime

Feed only every other day. Otherwise it will just eat and eat. This frog is mainly a night predator and is often inactive during the day. It uses its sense of vibration to find its food. However, it can be trained to take food during the day.

[edit] Environment Specifics

It will uproot any plants in the aquarium, so potted plants are best. Likes the company of others. Large filter required. It needs to come to the surface to breath.

[edit] Behaviour

This frog, although normally inactive, can be extremely aggressive. Besides devouring fish, it has been known to injure larger fish with its claws. The male likes to sing when it is healthy. It sheds its skin once a month and eats it. It may escape from unsecure tanks

[edit] Identification

A small African clawed frog can be differentiated from a dwarf African frog by its front limbs. Whereas the dwarf frog has webbed fingers, the clawed frog has fingers without webbing. Be wary when buying this frog in a shop. Often they're sold as baby Dwarf African Frogs! Often sold in the albino form, the African Dwarf Frog does NOT occur in albino form.

[edit] Special note

It appears that this frog is often a carrier for the infectious Chytrid fungus and therefore the aquarium water can carry the fungus. Due to the high level of concern with this fungus destroying amphibians throughout the world, it is probably a responsible thing to add bleach to your waste water before discarding it to prevent this deadly fungus getting into your local water system.

Alternatively treat your Clawed frog with Benzalkonium chloride to ensure any possible presence of this fungus is killed.

[edit] Pictures

Male Albino, note black pads on hands

Classic pose of male

Rear view of male frog

[edit] Links

• Global Amphibian Assessment - Xenopus laevis
• AMPHIBIAWEB - Detailed history and Sounds of the ACF
• Gallery of ACF Photos
• PFK Article - Dwarf & Clawed Frogs