Q&A for How to Play with Your African Dwarf Frog

This depends on your frog's attitude. If it is very comfortable or familiar with you, this shouldn't be a problem.

A male has a gland near its front arm and a female does not. Another way to tell is if your frog has a point in the middle of its back two legs, then it's a female. If it does not have a point, then it's a male.

Dwarf frogs are typically docile, so as long as your fish are docile as well, he should be fine. Make sure that the water temperature and pH are suitable for your frog before you put him in. Lastly, make sure that the tank is big enough for both the fish and the frog, as too small of a tank may result in territorial behavior.

Yes, but some bettas are aggressive, so watch them at first. Also, make sure the tank is big enough, or the betta will become territorial.

Yes! They can do this if the population of a certain gender is dwindling and another male/female is needed.

Their main food choices are live or frozen small fish (smaller then your frog) or bloodworms. The tank size should be no smaller then one gallon. Keep your frog's tank filtered and partially change it once a week. Make sure he has plenty of hiding spots; if you have any fake plants in his habitat, make sure they are silk, not plastic.

The boys have a white or pink gland behind each of their front legs, which looks sort of like a pimple. The females do not have this gland.

They most likely will. However, each frog and fish is different, so you must monitor them when you first put them together see if they get along well.

Make a trail of her favorite snack leading her to your hand and wait, she might come out. When she reaches your hand, make very slow movements and feed her a little more. Eventually, she may start to be less afraid of you. Or, perhaps, you could get another frog and hope the new frog's willingness to come play with you will rub off.

I use a basic fish net, cover the net with my hand, then plop him into a bowl of his tank water, and cover the top of the bowl (obviously leave room for air). Don't keep the bowl next to the sink, garbage disposal, trash can, etc., just in case your frog somehow manages to hop out.

Just set up a suitable habitat for the tadpoles and do whatever research you may need to.

Possibly, but since this type of frog has claws, he may use them to scratch you, so use caution when you're playing with him.

Mating season is during the winter time.

I woudn't do that because most African dwarf frogs will escape if they can. If this happens, they will dry out in about 20 minutes.

Try having a little plate or an area clear of gravel to put the food on. Use sinking frog pellets. You can also try dangling freeze-dried bloodworms in front of its nose. If your frog has no interest in the food even if it is in front of its nose, then that is a sign that it might be sick.

Normally, it will not hurt but it may catch you off guard and surprise you.

You should avoid handling a dwarf frog unless you absolutely have to. Wash your hands thoroughly and rinse your hands for a few minutes with water to ensure no soap will come into contact with your frog's skin.

African dwarf frogs are community animals, meaning they are actually prefer to have other ADFs (African Dwarf frogs) around them. (Even better, they like to make frog-piles on top of each other, which is funny.) I would recommend putting your frog with another ADF, but if that's not possible, then another small frog should be fine.

If the male does an action that looks like hugging the female, he is fertilizing her eggs, and they will soon have babies.

Yes, they spend almost all of their time in the water. In fact, you shouldn't take them out of the water for more than a few minutes or it can damage them.

Yes. They will dig in the gravel to eat their food.

It is very, very ill advised. These frogs carry Salmonella and shouldn't ever leave the water. If you must pick up your frog (such as to examine it for illness), wear gloves and hold it inside the tank.

I use a baster. African dwarf frogs are almost blind and probably will not see food if you just drop it at the surface, so if you feed it bloodworms or anything thin, just insert one end of the worm into the baster and hold the worm right in front of it. It takes a while, but at least your frog is happy.

Not if you prepare them properly! Wash your hands, and make sure that you do not have any perfumes or scented soaps on them. Keep your hands damp, and be gentle when touching your frog. Finally, wash your hands (for your protection) when you're finished handling the frog.

If your frog likes you it will start to jump and follow you through the tank.

Yes, it is completely fine, but make sure your frog gets food too, as the fish are faster and can take all the food.

No. Talk to the people who gave you the animal, and tell them what is going on.

At the pet store, they said to give the frogs very tiny pinches, about 5-6 pellets. Your feeding directions may be different. Also, if you have fish in the tank, it may eat the tropical fish flakes that sink to the bottom.

No, sometimes dwarf frogs are just lazy and like to spend as little energy as possible and will float at the top of the water. If you're worried about it, poke it with a stick to see if it reacts, and if you are concerned for its health, consider contacting a vet.

The two species have similar care requirements, so this isn't a problem.