- Interesting lung breather
- Suitable for aquaterrarium
- Suitable for beginners
- Fascinating metamorphosis
Dwarf clawed frog - Hymenochirus curticeps
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- Item no: 7161
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from over 3,000 reviews "| Water values: | soft to medium hard |
| with dwarf crabs?: | No |
| Origin: | Africa |
| Final size: | 4-8 cm |
| with shrimps?: | with dwarf shrimps, offspring is eaten |
| with snails/shells?: | Yes |
| Planting possible?: | Yes |
| Difficulty: | 2 - Normal |
| Visual effect: | Swarm behavior |
| Breeding: | medium |
| Pelvic region: | Top |
| Aquarium size: | 54 l (approx. 60cm) |
| Diet: | carnivore - meat eater |
| Fish group: | Other |
| Temperature: | 20-25 °C |
The dwarf clawed frog, Hymenochirus curticeps, is becoming increasingly popular in aquaristics, especially among children, as it is a completely different aquarium animal than the usual finned frogs. The dwarf clawed frog is native to small, low-flow weedy jungle ponds and darker ponds in the Congo region, as well as Nigeria, Cameroon and Zaire and lives mostly under water, but also stays close to the shore.
Although the dwarf clawed frog is also related to the "normal" clawed frog, it remains much smaller and, in contrast, has webbed fingers between the front fingers. With a little luck, it can even be successfully bred in an aquarium, which makes it all the more attractive to those interested in natural history due to its mating behavior and the metamorphosis of the tadpole stage!
The rough skin of the dwarf clawed frog is olive gray to brown in color with spots and blotches on it. The belly is cream to white. A dark band extends from the narrow mouth to above and behind the eyes. The arms of this dwarf are quite narrow and have a kind of tiny hand with four small fingers. In contrast, it has five toes on its hind legs, which are connected with webbed feet. Although occasionally solitary, the dwarf clawed frog prefers the company of a group.
Unlike the males, the females have a sort of dent on their backs by which they can be distinguished, among other things. In general, the front arms already indicate the sex difference: Males have much stronger forelimbs than females, with which they clasp them tightly during mating. Males also have a postaxillary gland that swells during mating season.
Courtship is performed with clicking sounds, also the male begins to dance with pawing movements. During mating, he clasps the female in the groin with his forelegs and places his head in the dent of her back. After mating, which can sometimes look like a wrestling match, the frogs swim backwards to the surface of the water where eggs and sperm are released simultaneously and return to the bottom. They repeat this for several hours.
Thanks to the surface tension of the water, the eggs, some of which can number up to 1000, remain on the water surface, where they hatch as tadpoles after about 36-48 hours and only swim free after about 6 days. At this stage, despite having external gills, they already begin to breathe at the surface and should also be separated from their parents. The young feed on fine zooplankton. Their metamorphosis from gill-breathing tadpole to lung-breathing frog takes about 3-4 months, depending on their environment. They can be fed with Artemia nauplii and other small Live food can be fed to them.
Although dwarf clawed frogs can be socialized with peaceful fish, they will tend to breed poorly if at all in their company. Your aquarium should have at least 54 gallons with a fine sandy bottom for burrowing, as well as a lowered water level to allow them to use the surface as well (for example, roots that rise above the water surface). A cover prevents the animals from accidentally jumping out. Partially shaded, but also dense planting, which still allows enough swimming space, serves the well-being. Dwarf clawed frogs prefer rather soft water with a pH up to 7.8. Since they come from a warm area, the temperature should be between 23 and 25°C. According to their habitat, they do not like strong currents and like to retreat to darkened corners or between water plants during the day.
Dwarf clawed frogs are sociable animals, whose group size should be at least 6 animals with a clear surplus of females, as they maintain extensive physical contact and like to rest together. The function of its hearing organs are better developed than its eyes, with which it only perceives movements, also it communicates for territorial defense and during courtship. Its sense of smell is most pronounced, which it uses to detect food. In its natural habitat, it also feeds on dead animals and carrion. During the day it often rests on stones or even on water plants above the water level. Sometimes the dwarfs lie snuggled close together or on top of each other in groups.
Since the dwarf clawed frog is a good hunter, responding especially to wriggling movements, and it also feeds mainly on insects and crustaceans, socialization with invertebrates is impossible. Its feeding should therefore be Live food and Frozen food include, as well as special dwarf clawed frog food. Nothing stands in the way of socialization with small peaceful fish, however, he will then probably not mate. Since it tends to become active in the evening hours, it should be fed in the evening.
Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.
Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.
| Scientific name: | Hymneochirus curiceps |
| German Name: | Dwarf clawed frog |
| Difficulty level: | for beginners |
| Origin/Distribution: | Africa |
| Coloration: | gray-brown upper side with dots and spots, underside light colored, webbed between hind toes |
| Age expectancy | 10-15 |
| Water parameters: | GH 2-20, KH 6-15, pH 6.5-7.8, temperature 23-26°C |
| Tank size: | from 54 l |
| Food | Carnivorous |
| Breeding | medium |
| Behavior | peaceful |
| Group size | at least 6 animals |
| Further information | Ten typical aquarium fish for beginners and alternatives to them, Tips for acclimating fish to the aquarium, Feeding aquarium fish properly - cheap food and what it can do |
- Item no: 7161
- EAN No.: 7427061494969
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