Description: Found in a large area of southeastern Asia from southern China and India through Malaysia and Indonesia where it lives in the slow moving waters of wetlands, streams and rice paddies. Base color is usually greenish-brown but some are a pinkish color. Often, there is a lighter colored stripe down the center of the back. The body shape is robust and the feet are fully webbed with long, pointed toes. They grow to about 1½" in length and can live for 3 years or more. These frogs are not real skittish and make very good pets. They may occasionally go on land but prefer to float around out in the open.

Temperature: Daytime 75° to 82°F, a small drop at night is okay.

Humidity: High, best at 70 to 80%.

Lighting: Use a timer with an average of 12 hours on / 12 hours off. Seasonal day length fluctuations may help to stimulate breeding activity. If the habitat contains live plants, fluorescent grow lights may be needed.

Habitat: These small frogs can make due with a small tank but a 10-gallon or larger is better for setting up a nice aqua-vivarium. They do not climb well so easy access in and out of the water is a requirement. A top with some ventilation holes is recommended to help keep the humidity up and their food in. Terrestrial and/or aquatic plants are also recommended for their beneficial effects.
The water should be filtered but the depth does not matter because they mostly float at the top. Non aggressive fish can be kept with them and will usually not be harmed, although tiny baby fish may be eaten.
Alternatively, an all aquatic habitat with easily accessible fixed or floating islands can be used.

Feeding: Small prey is needed such as fruit flies and 1 to 2-week old crickets. Aquatic organisms, such as bloodworms, black worms and tiny fish may be eaten if given in very shallow water. Dry fish food will not be eaten but they may learn to take frozen fish food from tweezers. A good vitamin/mineral supplement should be given once or twice a week for adults and more often for young, growing frogs.

Seasonal Variations: Shorten the day length to 8 or 10 hours and reduce the temperatures to about 70°F daytime and around 65°F at night for 2 to 3 months.

Sexing: Females are often a little heavier than males. Males will call (2 short notes) and develop nuptial pads on their front feet at breeding time.

Breeding: After the cooling period and things are brought back to normal, breeding should occur spontaneously.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna