Amphibians
African clawed frog care guide
Xenopus laevis
A fully aquatic, long-lived and very hardy frog that never leaves the water. It is a strong eater and needs a secure lid.
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first
African clawed frog enclosure size
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first. An adult african clawed frog should live in at least 24" L × 12" W × 12" H; we build toward 30" L × 12" W × 12" H (2.5 × 1 × 1 ft, roughly 2.5 sq ft of floor and about a 19-gallon glass equivalent).
About 10 gallons per adult frog.
- Hatchling / baby
- 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 20" L × 10" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 30" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 30" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
Room temperature usually works; use a guarded heater on a thermostat if needed.
- Basking / warm surface
- None
- Warm side (ambient)
- Water 68–75°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- Water 65–68°F
- Night
- Same as day
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Not required. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target Fully aquatic. Clean, dechlorinated water: ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 40 ppm, pH 6.5–8.
Substrate and depth
Bare bottom or large smooth stones (no gravel — swallowing risk). Depth: 0–1 in.
Water and filtration
- Water depth
- 10–12 in
- Filtration
- Cycled low-flow filter
- Basking dock
- None needed
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Caves / hides
- Sturdy plants
- Tight-fitting lid
Build list
- Liquid water test kit — Log ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH weekly.
- Sponge filter — Gentle flow that won't batter small aquatic amphibians.
- Water conditioner / RO water — Chlorine and chloramine burn permeable skin.
African clawed frog FAQ
How big should an adult African clawed frog enclosure be?
At least 24" L × 12" W × 12" H, and we recommend building to 30" L × 12" W × 12" H — about 2.5 × 1 × 1 ft, or a 19-gallon glass equivalent. Aquatic — water volume and floor area first.
What temperatures does an African clawed frog need?
Basking or warm surface None, warm side Water 68–75°F, cool side Water 65–68°F, night Same as day. Room temperature usually works; use a guarded heater on a thermostat if needed.
Does an African clawed frog need UVB?
Not required. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does an African clawed frog need?
Fully aquatic. Clean, dechlorinated water: ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 40 ppm, pH 6.5–8.
What substrate is best for an African clawed frog?
Bare bottom or large smooth stones (no gravel — swallowing risk), at a depth of 0–1 in.
How big does an African clawed frog enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 20" L × 10" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Is there anything to be careful about when keeping an African clawed frog?
Illegal to own in some US states (for example California and Washington) — check local laws. Never release into the wild.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own african clawed frog record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.