Xenopus laevis
African Clawed Frog
The African clawed frog is a fully aquatic, long-lived frog that never leaves the water. It needs a secure lid, gentle filtration and minimal handling, and is restricted in some regions.
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At a glance
- Scientific name
- Xenopus laevis
- Family
- Pipidae
- Origin
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years, sometimes over 20
- Adult size
- 10–13 cm
- Weight
- 60–200 g
- Temperament
- Fully aquatic, hardy and greedy; more active and personable than many amphibians.
- Activity level
- Moderate; active swimmer, especially at feeding time.
- Social needs
- Can live alone or in same-species groups; will eat smaller tank mates.
- Intelligence
- Modest; learns feeding routines quickly.
- Noise
- Males hum quietly at night.
Housing and environment
- Housing
- Minimum 40 litres per frog with gentle filtration and a tight lid; they escape.
- Space requirement
- Aquarium-only; no land area needed.
- Temperature
- 18–24 °C; no heater usually needed.
- Humidity
- Fully aquatic.
- Exercise
- Swims actively in the water column.
- Grooming
- Sheds skin periodically and eats it — normal behaviour.
Life stages and changing needs
Expanded care guidance · Updated 7 October 2026 · Not professionally reviewed
Young animals and settling in
Larvae and adults may have very different feeding and habitat needs. Establish which stage you are adopting and obtain a species-specific plan before arrival. Some species retain aquatic larval traits throughout life, while others undergo metamorphosis. Do not assume that care for a tadpole, an axolotl and an adult newt is interchangeable.
Adult care and reproductive changes
Adults need an established, escape-proof aquatic system with easy access to the surface when required. Size differences can create predation and biting risks even among the same species. Do not casually combine frogs, newts, fish or shrimp. Breeding and egg care require separate planning, and unwanted offspring must never be released into local water.
Later life and changing needs
In later life, keep the environment stable and make food and resting areas accessible without changing the animal into a shallower or warmer setup arbitrarily. Document body condition and feeding response. Reduced movement may signal unsuitable water or illness, not simply age. A veterinarian experienced with amphibians can distinguish a care problem from disease.
Diet and feeding
Carnivorous: sinking amphibian pellets, earthworms and frozen foods.
Use foods appropriate to the exact amphibian and its size, such as suitable complete amphibian diets and responsibly sourced invertebrates. A varied diet is different from random leftovers. Do not assume fish flakes provide a complete ration, and avoid wild-caught prey that may carry pesticides or parasites. Ask about supplementation rather than dosing by guesswork.
Observe feeding directly because an animal can appear active yet miss every meal. Offer food where it can find it, keep fingers away from its mouth, and remove leftovers without chasing the animal. Feeding schedules change with size and water temperature. Swelling, weight loss or persistent refusal needs assessment rather than progressively larger meals.
Daily care and ongoing checks
Every day
Check water temperature, filter flow, access routes and the animal itself each day. Use appropriately treated water and measure ammonia and nitrite in a cycled system. Strong current can be stressful for species adapted to still water. Amphibian skin is vulnerable to chemicals; keep aerosols, soaps and residues well away from the enclosure.
Regular maintenance and prevention
Base water changes on measured quality and avoid sudden changes in temperature or chemistry. Minimise handling, preferably using a suitable container for transfers. When contact is unavoidable, follow veterinary advice on appropriate gloves and hygiene. Quarantine new amphibians separately; equipment can transmit serious infections between enclosures even when animals never meet.
Behaviour and compatibility
Will nip at fingers and anything that moves; handle rarely and only with wet hands or a container.
- With children
- Good observed pet; not for handling.
- With other animals
- Eats small fish; larger fish may nip it. Often best kept species-only.
- Training difficulty
- Not trainable.
Health
- Bloat (dropsy)
- Fungal infections after injury
- Chytrid fungus risk from unquarantined amphibians
Never release into the wild — they are a serious invasive species in many countries.
Special care requirements
See the housing, diet and health sections — this species has needs that are easy to underestimate.
Fully aquatic housing and invasive-species responsibility
African clawed frogs are fully aquatic and never leave the water voluntarily, so they need an aquarium rather than any land area, with a tightly fitting, secure lid, since they are strong, determined escape artists that can survive out of water for some time if they get out.
This species is a serious invasive species in parts of the world when released, and ownership is restricted or banned in some regions; never release a clawed frog into any pond, river or waterway, check local regulations before acquiring one, and limit handling to brief, necessary moments using wet hands or a container, since they will readily nip at fingers.
Before you take one on
Sources and further guidance
These welfare and veterinary resources inform general husbandry advice; they do not certify this profile or replace a species-experienced professional. Confirm exact environmental settings and feeding plans for your animal.
Can your home meet african clawed frog needs?
- Plan for a lifespan of 10–15 years, sometimes over 20, including holiday cover and, where one is available, a vet familiar with this species. Lifespan ranges are not guarantees.
- Arrange the social setting before arrival. Social guidance for this species: Can live alone or in same-species groups; will eat smaller tank mates. Do not assume another animal of any species is a suitable companion.
- Habitat priority for this species: Aquarium-only; no land area needed. Make sure your setup can provide this consistently. Measure temperatures and humidity with thermometers and a hygrometer rather than guessing.
- Key care point: See the housing, diet and health sections — this species has needs that are easy to underestimate. Discuss diet and any specialist needs with the supplier, rescue and a vet who treats this species, and check local legal requirements before acquiring an animal.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.