The Asian Painted Bullfrog are also known as Chubby Frog within the pet trade. These are an hardy medium sized species that are ideal for beginners.
This species of frog is quite round and chubby looking, hence the name which some people call them. They have a lovely mahogany brown body with a cream band along each side, a darker edge is present around the cream band. They grow to an adult size of 70 - 80mm (2.5 - 3 inches).
Painted Bullfrogs are nocturnal, emerging late evening to search for food during the night. During the day they burrow within the substrate and moss. A tip to watch your frogs during their active night life:- use a night bulb (red or blue) near the tank and turn off all other lights.
This species is found in Southeast Asia, Singapore and Thailand.
They can be found hiding in grassy meadow undergrowth and close to standing water. During the day they will borrow within the soil and leaf matter or hide under fallen wood. These frogs can survive very dry conditions, they burrow themselves in and wait for rain. After a period of dry conditions, the rain stimulates them to breeding. A number of insects would be eaten by these frogs which can be found amoung the water edge and within the grass.
Setting up a tank for these frogs is easy. We recommend a glass terrarium, with minimum dimensions of 45 x 30 x 30cm (18 x 12 x 12”) and cover the floor with 3-4 inches of soil. Place damp moss over the top and place only a few hides as they usually burrow in the substrate. A small dish of treated water should be provided at one end of the tank and replaced each night.
A temperature of 21-24C (70-76F) during the day seems to be ideal for this species with a slight drop at night. If you have a heated room with other exotic pets, no extra heat will be required. If you need to provide heat, use a low wattage bulb during the day attached to a dimming thermostat and switch this off during the night. A heat mat attached to a thermostat can also be used, this should be placed over one third of the tank along the back. Spray a few times each day with treated water to keep the humidity high in the range of 60-70%.
It is vital to provide chubby frogs with access to low level UVB lighting that sits within the parameters of Ferguson Zone 1, this helps them to produce vitamin D3 which is essential in the absorption of Calcium - keeping bones healthy and strong. This should be on for 12 hours during the day and turned off at night. If you intend is to grow live plants in the terrarium you must also provide suitable LED lighting for them to be able to thrive.
Feed a range of live insects; crickets, locusts, flies and earth worms to vary their diet. As a treat feed them wax worms and meal worms, but not too many. On average, they will eat 5 crickets every two days. To keep your Painted Bullfrog healthy, coat the live food in a vitamin supplement used for reptiles every 2 - 4 feedings for adults. For younger frogs, this should be used more often.
Caution: When providing water for your amphibians, this MUST be treated with an Aquarium de-chlorinated solution. The Chlorine will harm and possible kill your amphibians after a period of time. Alternatively, you can use fresh, clean rainwater! When providing water for your amphibians, this MUST be treated with an Aquarium de-chlorinated solution. The Chlorine will harm and possible kill your amphibians after a period of time. Alternatively, you can use fresh, clean rainwater!
