Amphibians
Aquatic frogs and newts are long-lived, full of character, and kept wrong more often than almost anything else we sell — usually because they were housed like tropical fish. Most of them are not tropical. Read the temperature section before anything else.
Newts want cool water, not a heater
Spanish ribbed newts, fire belly newts and paddletail newts are temperate animals. They want water in the low-to-mid 60s Fahrenheit and they suffer above about 72°F — sustained tropical temperatures cause stress, appetite loss, fungal problems and, over months, death. Do not put a heater in a newt tank. In a San Diego summer the harder problem is the opposite: keeping the tank cool enough. A room on the shaded side of the house, a fan blowing across the surface, or a chiller for a serious setup.
They are also determined escapers and they live a long time. A Spanish ribbed newt can reach fifteen to twenty years. Tight lid, and think of it as a commitment on the scale of a dog.
African dwarf frogs — and the frog they are confused with
African dwarf frogs (Hymenochirus) are fully aquatic, stay around an inch and a half, have no teeth and no claws, and are entirely peaceful. They do need to reach the surface to breathe, so avoid very deep tanks and make sure they have a clear route up.
The one thing that trips people up is feeding. Their eyesight is poor and they hunt by smell and touch, slowly. Put them in with fast mid-water fish and they will simply be outcompeted and quietly starve over a couple of months. Target-feed them with a pipette or feeding dish, sinking frozen bloodworm or a dedicated frog pellet, and watch each one eat.
They are frequently sold elsewhere alongside African clawed frogs (Xenopus), which look similar as juveniles and are a completely different proposition — they reach five inches, are voracious, and will eat every fish and shrimp in the tank. If you are buying elsewhere and unsure, ask which genus it is.
Bullfrog tadpoles: know what you are signing up for
Bullfrog polliwogs are inexpensive and fascinating, and they are also the juvenile stage of a very large frog. They can stay in tadpole form for a year or more before metamorphosing, and the adult needs a substantial semi-terrestrial enclosure and a diet of live prey.
They must never be released. The American bullfrog is an established invasive species in California and a serious problem for native amphibians. If you take one on, you are taking it on for its whole life — or committing to rehome it responsibly to someone who will. We would rather tell you that before you buy than after.
Handling and skin
Amphibian skin absorbs what it touches, which is why soaps, lotions and treated tap water are all hazards. Handle as little as possible, and if you must, wet your hands with dechlorinated water first. Fire belly newts secrete a mild toxin as a defense — harmless through intact skin, but wash your hands afterwards and keep them away from your eyes and mouth. Do not house newts with fish small enough to be eaten, or with fish likely to nip at them.
Tank basics
Dechlorinate everything. Amphibians are more sensitive to chlorine and chloramine than fish are. Keep flow gentle — these are not strong swimmers, dwarf frogs especially. Provide dense cover; a stressed newt or frog with nowhere to hide will stay stressed. And cover the tank: every species on this page will find a gap if you leave one.
Come ask us
Amphibian stock rotates and species availability changes week to week, so call ahead if you are driving in for something specific. We are happy to talk through whether a species fits your room temperature, your tank, and how long you want to be keeping it — and both stores test water for free.