Can African Dwarf Frogs Eat Fish Flakes? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ
By Cheryl Regan
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Fish flakes are not a suitable food for African Dwarf Frogs. These adorable little frogs should be fed a diet that is similar to what they would get in the wild: high-protein foods including brine shrimp, fish fry, and bloodworms.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the African Dwarf Frog, including its nature and natural habitat, why fish flakes aren’t appropriate, and offer tips and advice on how to keep your little friend happy and healthy!
The African Dwarf Frog’s Natural Habitat
An African Dwarf Frog’s natural habitat is the shallow rivers and ponds of central Africa. Originating from Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Congo, these aquatic frogs spend most of their time underwater, only occasionally surfacing for air. Their webbed feet and muscular hind legs mean they’re good swimmers, which is helpful for when they’re hunting.
That said, African Dwarf Frogs are known for having poor eyesight, which can complicate feeding time! Below, we’ll cover how you can successfully feed your African Dwarf Frog.
What Do African Dwarf Frogs Eat?
In the wild, African Dwarf Frogs hunt small fish, fish fry, and insect larvae. Although they can eat some plant matter, these amphibians thrive on a high-protein diet of live food.
If you keep an African Dwarf Frog as a pet, you’ll be pleased to know that they only require feeding 3 or 4 times per week. These creatures are tiny—overfeeding them can lead to weight gain and other health issues.
Brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms, and live black worms are all good food options when feeding your African Dwarf Frog. Frog pellets are okay to supplement their diet, though some African Dwarf Frogs may turn their noses up at pellets, and instead prefer an exclusive diet of live food.
Another problem with frog pellets is that they quickly disintegrate and disperse, which may make them difficult for your African Dwarf Frog to eat, and lead to pollution of their water.
Can African Dwarf Frogs Eat Fish Flakes and Pellets?
Fish flakes and pellets are not appropriate for African Dwarf Frogs as they do not contain the protein or nutrients your little friend needs. Even if you do put fish flakes and pellets into the tank for an African Dwarf Frog, they’ll probably refuse to eat them. As the flakes and pellets disintegrate, the water quality will be degraded.
How to Feed an African Dwarf Frog
African Dwarf Frogs have poor eyesight. If you were to drop their food into the tank, they’ll most likely ignore it, not even realizing it’s there. This is why live food is best, as they will pick up on the vibrations and movement in the water.
You may find that you need to hold their meal right in front of their noses before they suddenly notice and lunge! Use a pair of tongs to hold a few bloodworms, or frozen shrimp, just above your frog’s head. When your frog notices, they’ll lunge forward and eat it.
Live blackworms are also an excellent choice for your frog. You can feed live blackworms to your African Dwarf Frog using tongs, or drop a few of them into your tank and let your frog try to hunt for them.
Final Thoughts
African Dwarf Frogs can make delightful tank pets, even for beginners to the aquatic pet hobby. They require little maintenance and only need feeding a few times per week. However, it is important to feed them the right diet. Fish flakes are no good for African Dwarf Frogs. Instead, try some live food and frozen critters like shrimp, bloodworms, and black worms.
