African Bullfrog Care - Pyxicephalus Adspersus Care or Pixie Frog Care or Pyxie Frog Care
African Bullfrog - Pyxicephalus adspersus Also known as Pixie Frog or Pyxie Frog
The idea for any reptile or amphibian that resides in an enclosed environment is to replicate its natural habitat as closely as possible. As for African Bullfrogs, they spend a great deal of time in and around water during the wet season and brumate during the dry season, awaiting the return of the wet season.
African Bullfrog / Pixie frog care -
Enclosure Size, Water Depth & Substrate Depth -
In captivity, their setup should resemble the wet season, not the dry season, offering a large body of water about 5 inches deep, or as deep as the frog is tall when it sits. heated and heavily filtered, as well as a warm/heated land area with deep soil about 5-10 inches deep or more, 12 hours of day and night light cycle. A 40-gallon breeder aquarium,18x36x17, is the minimum for most males but keep in mind some males can even outgrow that and need a 75 gallon,18x48x21, and sometimes larger. Yet its perfect for females for life. I don't recommend you upgrade as the frog grows, cause they grow faster than you can keep up with. You should get the minimum requirement for an adult or 40 gallon breeder,18x36x17 and save yourself the headache. 0-8 inches of growth in as little as 7 months is typical for males but not females.
Lighting -
T5 UVB fluorescent bulb (not the compact version, as they don't work well, if at all. Adding a full-spectrum light provides a more natural light spectrum.
Ambient Temperature -
80-85 degrees - Overhead heat is best and most natural; a deep heat projector bulb is the first choice, followed by a ceramic heat bulb or another reptile heat bulb. You should not use a heating pad as these frogs will move around in the soil and can get burned when pressed against the glass where the heating pad is. They also burrow to escape high heat; with a heating pad under the soil, they burrow down into the heat instead. Heating pads are designed for shallow substrates anyway. A heating pad on the side above the substrate doesn't work nearly as well as a bulb. Always use a dimmer switch in combination with a thermometer to regulate temperature. (For best heat control results and safety, use a reptile thermostat.
Ambient Temperatures between 85-88 is okay but not really the frogs sweet spot or comfortable zone.
Water temperature and type of heater -
80-85 degrees - A heater or a heater with a protective casing is needed to protect both the heater and the frog, with the ability to adjust the temperature. Using a heater designed to heat more water than you have helps the heater work less to keep the water at the temperature set and, in turn, extends the heater's life. For example, the Fluval E 100 or Aquael Ultra Aquarium Heater.
Water temperature set at 82 is the frog's sweet spot or comfortable zone.
Temperature Tip -
The ambient temperature should be at least 3 degrees higher than the water temperature. 85 degrees ambient temperature minus 3 degrees is 82 degrees water temperature. This seems to be the African Bullfrog's sweet spot. The soil is their cool retreat, so keep your temperature below the surface closer to room temperature or about 75 degrees.
Humidity -
Between 55 and 80%. Humidity originates from the evaporation of water, both from heated water and from damp soil.
Humidity Tip -
To trap humidity, you can cover or uncover the aquarium with plexiglass or aluminum foil, for example, by adjusting it in small increments to help maintain optimal levels as needed.
Filtration and water maintenance -
For best results, use an external canister filter. For example, a Fluval canister filter from the 07 Series is a great choice. Of course, it depends on the amount of water, but always use a larger filter, as these frogs are messy. You will need to spot clean and remove the frog's Stool and food debris as you see it. Feeding the frog in a separate container is recommended to help maintain cleanliness. Water changes are a must regardless of water clarity, a small percentage daily or a few times a week yields the best results, but 50% weekly is a must as well as, as needed, due to large amounts of stool.
Water maintenance note -
I recommend Learning about an aquarium's biological system or biofilter. It's beneficial for understanding how your aquarium's water quality is maintained.
Diet -
A wide variety of insects, earthworms are best, frozen-thawed silverside fish, pre-killed or frozen-thawed mice, and small birds should be fed as treats only, if at all. All food should be supplemented/dusted with calcium and vitamin D3. Foods like Mazuri amphibian and carnivorous reptile gel offer a complete diet. Mazuri aquatic turtle food is an excellent second choice, but you will need to add supplements if you choose that.
Feeding schedule -
You should feed young African bullfrogs daily to keep up with their growth spurt. You should feed sub-adults every 2-3 days. Sadly, obesity in adults in captivity is common due to poor diet, overfeeding, and even purposely being overfed to have the largest frog on the block, as well as inadequate care. (As always, watching the animal's weight is the best way to know if you are feeding too much or too little.
Written by Christopher Thomas Stanowski.