Amphibians
Surinam toad care guide
Pipa pipa
A flat, fully aquatic toad famous for carrying its eggs embedded in the female's back until froglets emerge. It needs warm, soft, clean water.
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first
Surinam toad enclosure size
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first. An adult surinam toad should live in at least 36" L × 18" W × 16" H; we build toward 48" L × 18" W × 20" H (4 × 1.5 × 1.7 ft, roughly 6 sq ft of floor and about a 75-gallon glass equivalent).
Plan on 40+ gallons for an adult pair.
- Hatchling / baby
- 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 20" L × 10" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 36" L × 18" W × 16" H recommended · min 30" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 48" L × 18" W × 20" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 16" H
Temperature and heating
Guarded aquarium heater on a thermostat.
- Basking / warm surface
- None
- Warm side (ambient)
- Water 75–82°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- Water 72–75°F
- Night
- Same as day
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Not required; dim light and floating plants. 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. Soft, slightly acidic water (pH 6–7); ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 20 ppm.
Substrate and depth
Fine sand with leaf litter. Depth: 1–2 in.
Water and filtration
- Water depth
- 12–18 in
- Filtration
- Cycled low-flow filter
- Basking dock
- None needed
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Leaf litter
- Driftwood
- Floating plants
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.
Surinam toad FAQ
How big should an adult Surinam toad enclosure be?
At least 36" L × 18" W × 16" H, and we recommend building to 48" L × 18" W × 20" H — about 4 × 1.5 × 1.7 ft, or a 75-gallon glass equivalent. Aquatic — water volume and floor area first.
What temperatures does a Surinam toad need?
Basking or warm surface None, warm side Water 75–82°F, cool side Water 72–75°F, night Same as day. Guarded aquarium heater on a thermostat.
Does a Surinam toad need UVB?
Not required; dim light and floating plants. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Surinam toad need?
Fully aquatic. Soft, slightly acidic water (pH 6–7); ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate under 20 ppm.
What substrate is best for a Surinam toad?
Fine sand with leaf litter, at a depth of 1–2 in.
How big does a Surinam toad 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 a Surinam toad?
Easily stressed by strong current and bright light. Avoid handling.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own surinam toad record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.