African dwarf frogs (Hymenochirus genus) are active little amphibians known for their peaceful nature and unique behavior. They’re relatively undemanding aquarium inhabitants, but if you’re looking for a challenge, you might consider breeding them.
There’s nothing more rewarding than raising a clutch of tadpoles and watching them thrive. To be successful in breeding African dwarf frogs, however, you need to understand the basics of how do African dwarf frogs mate, what to expect during spawning, and how to care for the eggs and tadpoles afterward.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help you learn everything you need to know about breeding African dwarf frogs.
African Dwarf Frog Mating Process
Like most amphibians, African dwarf frogs are egg-layers. Similar to many fish, however, the eggs are externally fertilized by the male frog as they’re released by the female. Here’s a quick overview of how African dwarf frogs mate:
1. Preparing for mating: When both the male and female frog are ready to mate, the male will “sing” to attract the female. Male African dwarf frogs make a buzzing or humming sound and may perform a kind of dance that involves arching their back and kicking their legs.
2. Mating (amplexus): The mating process begins when the male grasps the female frog from behind, just in front of her back legs. This clasping is called amplexus, and it can go on for hours to days before spawning occurs.
3. Egg laying and fertilization: When the female is ready, she’ll swim to the surface (bringing the male along with her) to release her eggs. As the eggs are released, the male releases his sperm to fertilize them. Spawning generally happens in bursts, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
4. After spawning: Once spawning is complete, the male African dwarf frog will release his hold on the female. At this point, they’ll both resume normal behavior, though the female might rest on the bottom of the tank for a while.
Once your African dwarf frogs have finished spawning, you have a decision to make.
One option is to let nature run its course and expect some of the eggs and tadpoles to become prey to the parents or other tank inhabitants.
The second option is to remove the adult frogs from the breeding tank to raise the tadpoles.
Raising African Dwarf Frog Tadpoles
As long as conditions in the breeding tank are suitable, your African dwarf frog eggs should hatch after about 48-72 hours. The ideal breeding tank temperature is 78°F. Anything significantly warmer or cooler could impact the spawning and egg hatching process.
When the eggs hatch, the young will be in the form of tiny tadpoles. They’ll be able to swim to some degree and grow stronger (and larger) over the coming weeks.
Your tadpoles will feed primarily on infusoria when they first hatch, though you can supplement their diet with liquid fry food. As they get a little bigger, you can start feeding them powdered fry food, finely crushed flakes, and baby brine shrimp.
It takes about 6-8 weeks for African dwarf frog tadpoles to develop into froglets. As they grow, they’ll eventually develop legs and absorb their tails.
At this point, it’s a good idea to slightly lower the water level in the tank to give the froglets easy access to the surface for breathing while their swimming skills continue to develop. You can also start introducing larger foods in small amounts, as well as supplements or slow-sinking micro pellets, to support healthy growth as the froglets mature.
Additional Breeding Tips for African Dwarf Frogs
The key to successfully breeding African dwarf frogs is to condition your breeding stock well. You’ll need at least one male and one female frog, both having reached sexual maturity. Make sure your breeding tank conditions are stable, the water is clean, and your frogs are being fed a nutritious, varied diet.
Here are some tips for breeding African dwarf frogs:
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Set up a separate breeding tank. It’s generally best to raise the tadpoles in the tank they hatched in, so be sure to have a second tank ready to house the adult frogs when you remove them after spawning.
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Try to replicate rainy season conditions. If your African dwarf frogs aren’t readily mating, you can try simulating the rainy season in their natural habitat. Gradually reduce the water level in the tank over a few days, then refill it with slightly cooler water. From there, perform frequent small water changes to mimic rainfall.
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Keep the water temperature in the proper range. The best temperature range to stimulate breeding behavior in African dwarf frogs is between 78°F and 82°F. An aquarium heater and in-tank thermometer are key to helping you maintain the right temperature.
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Feed your frogs a nutritious diet. African dwarf frogs tend not to be picky, but it’s important to choose nutritious foods if you want them to be in good breeding condition. Proper feeding African dwarf frogs means focusing on high-protein live and frozen foods introduced a few weeks before you try to stimulate spawning. Good choices include brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.
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Watch for mating behavior. As you’re conditioning your African dwarf frogs and taking steps to simulate the rainy season, keep an eye out for courting behavior. You’ll know your frogs are ready to mate when the male initiates amplexus. This usually happens near the surface of the water, then the pair will drift down to the bottom for a time before spawning.
If you’re an African dwarf frog enthusiast looking for a fun new challenge, give breeding a try. In the right conditions, these little frogs breed fairly readily, and it’s a fascinating process to watch the eggs hatch and develop from tadpoles into froglets and then adult frogs.
Enjoying the Full Breeding Experience
Breeding African dwarf frogs isn’t just about the technical steps; it’s about enjoying the full journey, from the first signs of courtship to watching tadpoles grow into healthy froglets.
Now that you know how do African dwarf frogs mate, you can create the right environment and truly appreciate the process.
For everything else you need to maintain a thriving aquarium, from live aquarium plants to specialty foods and supplies, Shrimpy Business offers a wide selection trusted by aquarists. Explore our guides and products to make your breeding journey smoother and more rewarding.
If you have any questions or need help choosing the right supplies, contact us, and we’ll be glad to assist!