Floating Frog (Occidozyga lima)

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Floating Frog (Occidozyga lima)

Photo credit: Interaquaristik

Length: 0.75-1 in.
Common Names : Green Puddle Frog; Pearly Skin Puddle Frog; Pointed-tongued Floating frog
Distribution and Origin of Imports: Most of the floating frogs China; frogs of the genus Occidozyga are found from southern China to India, the Philippines, and the Greater and Lesser Sunda Islands to as far as Flores.
Conservation Status Least Concern (LC); Data deficient for India

Because of their small size, hardiness, and tendency to remain in the open, floating frogs are ideal for small or large planted aquariums. They can live up to 3 years and possibly longer.

Enclosure These aquatic frogs fare well in enclosures as small as a 2-gallon aquarium. A 10-gallon or larger aquarium allows you to create a fascinating and complex little ecosystem that incorporates these surface-dwellers. If you keep the water level at about half the tank height, you won't need a screen cover. Screen covers are, however, a good place to rest light fixtures and provide excellent protection from pets and children. Place a 1.5-inch layer of aquarium sand on the bottom. Add a small section of aquarium driftwood or rocks toward the back and sides with one or two landscape islands penetrating the front section. Then place short plants at the base of the landscape structures: elodea, water wisteria, smaller Cryptocoryne and Anubias. Floating frogs with no wood or plant resting areas spend excessive energy trying to remain on the water surface and eventually become stressed or more susceptible to disease.

Feeding These frogs require small, live prey to thrive. Ideal foods include fruit flies and one- to two-week-old crickets, supplemented twice a week by dusting with a powdered reptile vitamin mineral supplement. They also feed on small aquatic organisms that get close to the surface including bloodworms (if placed at the water's edge) and small fish, such as young guppies or mosquito fish. Offer food three times a week to adults.

Breeding If cooled down into 60s' F for 2 to 3 months, floating frogs breed in captivity. They often breed even if their keepers do not manipulate temperature.

For display purposes, several kinds of small fish can live well with floating frogs, including white clouds, guppies, white-cheeked gobies, and otocinclus algae eaters.

References
1. Popular Amphibians, Philippe de Vosjoli
2. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)
3. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)