If you’re looking to add some frogs to your 5 gallon aquarium, you’ve come to the right place! Frogs can make interesting, interactive pets for a desktop aquarium. Plus, their small size makes them ideal candidates for a 5 gallon tank.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through your best options and provide tips on setting up the perfect habitat.
If you’re short on time, here are some good frog choices for a 5 gallon tank: African dwarf frogs, green tree frogs, pacman frogs.
Ideal Frog Species for a 5 Gallon Tank
African Dwarf Frogs
The tiny African dwarf frog is a popular choice for small tanks due to its miniature size of 2-3 inches as an adult. These almost completely aquatic frogs have a lifespan of 5-10 years. A group of 3-4 can live comfortably in a heated, filtered 5 gallon tank with plenty of hiding spots among aquatic plants and rocks.
Their peaceful nature and unique looks make them interesting pets to observe. Just remember they are poor swimmers so water current should be very gentle.
Green Tree Frogs
Charming green tree frogs grow to about 2 inches in length, so they too can inhabit a 5 gallon vivarium. Use an arboreal setup with more height than floor space and lots of live or artificial foliage for climbing and hiding. Maintain very high humidity levels around 80% for these rainforest natives.
Green tree frogs have suction cup toe pads to grip plants and glass. Their bright green skin blends into the leaves! Unlike other popular frog choices, these guys can live 10-15 years with proper care.
Pacman Frogs
While most pacman frogs get too large for small enclosures, a single baby can start out happily in a 5 gallon habitat. Choose terrestrial substrates like coconut fiber and provide a water bowl big enough for soaking.
Pacman frogs are voracious nocturnal eaters that wait in ambush beneath the surface to snatch up prey. They come in a range of colors like green, tan or albino. Monitor your frog’s growth every few months and be prepared to upgrade eventually to a 10+ gallon home.
Narrow-Mouthed Toads
Also known as microhylid frogs, narrow-mouthed toads do wonderfully in nano tanks. Most species max out around 1-2 inches long. They enjoy burrowing into a 3-4 inch deep sandy substrate layered with dried oak leaves. You can keep a small group together.
Ensure the enclosure retains moisture using a screen top and daily misting since these toads prefer things on the damp side. Their tiny size and interesting vocalizations make them super cute amphibian pets!
Red-eyed Tree Frogs
Unfortunately the popular red-eyed tree frog grows too large at 5 inches to live in a small 5 gallon habitat as an adult. But you could raise an individual baby or juvenile temporarily in a vertically oriented vivarium filled with plants, branches and mossy hides.
Maintain high heat and humidity similar to tropical rainforest conditions. Once your frog is 3-4 inches long, upgrade to an 18 x 18 x 24” enclosure or larger to meet its needs. Just something to consider before bringing one of these gorgeous frogs home!
Tank Setup and Accessories
Filtration
Proper filtration is crucial for keeping your frogs healthy in a 5 gallon tank. The two main types to consider are air-powered sponge filters and hang-on-back (HOB) power filters. Sponge filters provide excellent biological filtration to process waste and prevent dangerous ammonia spikes.
They’re also very quiet and low-flow, making them ideal for skittish frogs. HOB power filters offer greater mechanical filtration to remove debris, but can create too much water turbulence for some species.
The Zoo Med Turtle Clean 75 External Canister Filter is a top choice that strikes a balance of biological and mechanical filtration.
Heating
Most aquatic frogs require water temperatures between 75-80°F. The easiest way to maintain this is with a submersible aquarium heater. For 5 gallons, a 25-50 watt heater is usually sufficient, but always match it to the size of your tank.
The Hygger Submersible Fish Tank Heater uses advanced heating technology to keep water temperatures stable.
Substrate
A fine-grained aquarium substrate, no larger than 3-5mm diameter, is best to prevent your frogs from ingesting potentially harmful particles. Opt for smooth riverbed gravel or super lightweight substrates like fluval or sanisand. Steer clear of painted aquarium stones or gravels with sharp edges.
About 1-2 inches of substrate depth is plenty for most setups.
Plants and Decor
Live aquatic plants like anubias and java ferns provide additional filtration and oxygenation, while also giving your frog places to explore and hide. Floating plants like hornwort are great options too.
As for tank décor, choose smooth stones, branches, and biotope-style pieces that mimic the frog’s natural habitat. Just be sure to thoroughly wash and disinfect everything first to avoid contaminants.
Lighting
Standard aquarium lighting typically provides enough illumination for most aquatic frogs. However, certain species from heavily shaded regions may need dimmer lighting. A basic LED or fluorescent hood works well to control photoperiods.
Meanwhile, floating and propagated plants often appreciate supplemental lighting in the range of 2-3 watts per gallon. Ultimately, observe your frog’s behavior to determine if adjustments to the lighting are necessary.
Caring for Your Frogs
Feeding
Providing the proper diet is crucial for keeping pet frogs healthy and happy. Here are some tips for feeding 5 gallon tank frogs:
- Crickets and mealworms should make up the staple diet. Use tweezers or tongs to feed them to your frog.
- Dust food items with calcium and vitamin supplements 2-3 times per week for optimal nutrition.
- Only feed prey items that are no bigger than the space between the frog’s eyes to prevent choking.
- Remove any uneaten food after 15-20 minutes so it doesn’t foul the water.
- Offer food daily when frogs are young, moving to every other day for adults. Overfeeding can cause obesity.
With the proper diet, your frogs will thrive and live full, healthy lives!
Tank Maintenance
Keeping the tank water clean is vital for your frogs’ health. Here are some tips:
- Perform 25% partial water changes 1-2 times per week. Use dechlorinator to remove chlorine and chloramines.
- Siphon waste from the gravel using a gravel vacuum.
- Scrub algae off decorations weekly.
- Check water parameters like ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate weekly and correct any issues.
- Completely empty and disinfect the tank every 4-8 weeks depending on stocking level.
With regular maintenance, you can maintain excellent water quality for healthy, thriving frogs.
Handling
Frogs have extremely permeable skin so handling should be kept to a minimum. However, gentle handling is possible with care:
- Always wash hands thoroughly before and after handling to prevent spreading pathogens.
- Never handle after applying lotions, sunscreens, or bug sprays which can harm frog skin.
- Scoop up the frog gently in wet hands, support the body and legs.
- Limit handling to 3-5 minutes maximum to minimize stress.
- Return the frog gently to the tank – never drop it.
- Handling once weekly is sufficient for most frogs to become accustomed to their owners.
With proper precautions, short handling sessions can be safe and allow enjoyment of your amphibious pets!
Health and Disease Prevention
Preventing illness is much easier than curing it. Here are some tips:
- Purchase captive-bred frogs from reputable sources to avoid diseases.
- Quarantine new frogs for 30 days before introducing to your main tank.
- Disinfect tanks between new frog inhabitants with a 5-10% bleach solution.
- Keep tank temperatures between 70-80°F to support immune system function.
- Test water quality frequently and take steps to correct any issues.
- Feed a varied, vitamin-dusted diet to support health.
- Look for signs of illness like lethargy, abnormal waste, or swollen eyes and see an exotic vet if they occur.
With attentive care and disease prevention, your frogs can lead long, illness-free lives in their 5 gallon homes.
Conclusion
Frogs can make fun, unique additions to a 5 gallon aquarium. With the proper tank setup and care, several frog species can thrive in this size enclosure. Focus on selecting the right frogs, equipping the tank, and maintaining proper conditions.
Your frogs will reward you with lively activity and fascinating behaviors to observe. A small desktop vivarium offers the chance to appreciate these amazing amphibians up close!
