Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,
I have a 20 gallon aquarium setup that houses my 5 year old male acf. He has been living alone for the past few years since his mate (an older female acf) decided to 'leave' their home and escaped from the aquarium. She got out of the tank, made her way down my carpeted stairs, through the living room, into the kitchen, and we found her that morning next the dogs water bowl. No joke..she made quite the journey! Sadly, she died a few days after that...understandably. Anyways, this post is mainly to ask a few questions about introducing a new female to his tank. I am sitting here now listening to him 'croaking' or clicking, so i would assume that he is looking for a mate? I recently purchased a small acf that i so far believe is a female, but it might be too small to tell. The smaller frog is about an inch long or an inch and a quarter including the legs. Is this too small to put in with an adult acf? I wouldnt want the smaller one to get eaten. If it is too small, what size would you recomend it being before it is introduced? Thanks for any help that you can give me!

**Also, back when my male still had a female in his tank with him, i did witness them 'mating' or at least the male was holding the female at the waist. I also heard him croaking all the time...however, back then i didnt know much about breeding acf's, and i didnt even think anything of it when i saw the two of them in that position. So is it possible that the two layed eggs in the tank before and i just didnt notice? Because i have read that if the eggs go unattended they will just get eaten by the frogs and other fish. Just wondering about a lot of things, because now that i have read alot about them (and have had them for many years) breeding them is something that i think i am ready to try!

Thanks so much for all your help and for dealing with this looooong post but there is just so much to say about these cute little guys!

I wouldn't put a juvenile ACF in with an adult. Likely he will think you are providing a snack rather than a wife. My male ACF in named Hanibal for a reason!

an adult ACF will eat a smaller one. they are predators and will eat or try to eat anything they can put into their mouths.

also, it is next to IMPOSSIBLE to sex ACF at such a small size and young age. even experts get it wrong. your chances are 50-50 for a male or female...good luck, i have bred ACF many many many times and it is always just a guess. males will not develop nuptuial pads and females will not develop a cloaca until sexual maturity. anywhere from 4-9 months of age.

wait until the new baby is too large to fit in the adults mouth. but do keep in mind housing your new baby froglet in a small tank (less then 10 gallons) will stunt and inhibit its normal growht and keep him small. give him a full 10 gallon tank to grow out in and you hsould be able to add the two within 3-6 weeks. once the baby reaches the size of a 50 cent piece you will be fine. i have introduced froglets this size with adults and they are too large to be swallowed.

please see my extensive website below for more info on keeping and breeding.

rachel
In Depth Information On African Clawed Frogs

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4.3 African Clawed Frog
3.3 Calfornia Newt
0.1 Leucistic Texas Ratsnake
1.1 Veiled Chameleon
0.1 Albino Cranwells Horned Frog
0.1 Paddle Tail Newt
0.1 Green Iguana
0.5.0 Indonesian Floating Frog