| Distribution | Equatorial Africa |
| Maximum Size | 5cm (2") |
| Temperature | 22-25°C |
| Water Parameters | pH: 7.0-7.8, dH: up to 20 degrees |
| Compatibility | Specialist community |
| Lighting | No special requirements |
| Sexual Dimorphism | Males are slimmer and develop small glands behind their front legs. In mature frogs, the female may be considerably larger. Females also have a visible tail bud. |
| Feeding | Flake, granules and frozen foods |
In the wild, African Dwarf Frogs are known from creeks, ponds, streams, shallow rivers, and, during the rainy season, in flooded areas of the forest. Here they spend much time on the substrate looking for food, their colouration allowing them to blend in with the mud and leaf litter. African Dwarf Frogs are fully aquatic, but they do need to come up and take warm air from the water's surface periodically. Cover in the form of Catappa leaves and aquatic plants will provide security as well as places to forage. Sand is the preferred substrate, as not only should it pose no problems for the frogs when feeding, it is much easier to keep clean, as it is all too easy for uneaten food and other waste products to build up amongst coarse grained substrates. Filtration should be efficient, but water movement fairly gentle. African Dwarf Frogs are very sociable and should be kept in small groups. They are generally peaceful towards fish of similar size, but tankmates must be chosen carefully as adults will take very small fish and fry. These placid amphibians are more likely to be the victims of aggression, so do not house them with any large, aggressive/nippy species. The African Dwarf Frogs will spend most of their time at the bottom of the aquarium, however, from time to time, they may appear to float in one spot with all limbs outstretched. Ensure there are no escape points in the top of the tank as these frogs will often explore and they cannot survive out of water for long. Be sure not to confuse African Dwarf Frogs (Hymenochirus spp.) with African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus laevis). The latter grow much larger and require a species-only aquarium due to their predatory nature. To tell the difference: African Dwarf Frogs have four webbed feet, whereas African Clawed Frogs have webbed hind feet and autonomous digits on the front feet. Furthermore, the eyes of the African Dwarf Frog are positioned on the sides of the head, and those of the African Clawed Frog are set on the top of the head. Finally, the snouts of African Dwarf Frogs are pointed, and those of the African Clawed Frogs are flat and more gently curved. The most obvious difference is that most captive Xenopus are albinos, whereas even the blonde form of Hymenochirus is always dark eyed and never as pale.