⭐ Albino African Clawed Frog

(Xenopus laevis)

🐸 What They Are

Albino African clawed frogs are a color-mutation of the regular African clawed frog.
Instead of the typical gray-green mottled coloration, albinos are white to light pink with red or pink eyes due to lack of pigmentation. They are the same species—just visually different.

🌍 Natural History

  • Species: Xenopus laevis

  • Origin: Southern Africa

  • Habitat: Still or slow-moving freshwater ponds, rivers, and marshes

  • Lifestyle: Fully aquatic; they almost never leave the water

  • Lifespan: 10–20 years in captivity (sometimes longer with excellent care)

🧬 Albino Traits

  • No melanin → gives them their pinkish skin & red eyes

  • More sensitive to bright light

  • More visible in water → so they rely heavily on lateral line organs and water vibration sensing to “feel” their environment

  • Behaviorally the same as normal African clawed frogs

🧠 Behavior

These frogs are:

  • Very active and curious

  • Opportunistic eaters (they will eat anything they can fit in their mouth—including tankmates)

  • Strong swimmers that can dart quickly

  • Known to “beg” for food at the glass once they learn your routine

  • Mostly nocturnal, but active day and night

🍽️ Diet

In captivity they do best with:

  • High-quality sinking frog/tadpole pellets

  • Nightcrawlers or earthworms

  • Bloodworms

  • Brine shrimp

  • Occasional small feeder fish (not required)

  • Avoid fatty meats or feeder fish raised in poor conditions

They eat by stuffing food into their mouths with their forearms—a trademark Xenopus behavior!

🏡 Tank Setup

  • Fully aquatic tank, minimum 10 gallons for 1–2 frogs

  • No gravel (they swallow it) → use fine sand or bare bottom

  • Provide hides like PVC pipes or smooth caves

  • Adjustable heater to keep the water 68–75°F

  • Strong lid—they will jump!

  • Strong filter but low-flow (they dislike strong currents)

💧 Water Requirements

  • Dechlorinated water only

  • pH 6.5–8.0

  • Weekly 20–30% water changes

  • They produce a LOT of waste → filtration is important

  • Temperature stability matters more than exact number

⚠️ Compatibility

Important: African clawed frogs should not be housed with:

  • Fish (they will eat them)

  • Small frogs (they’ll eat them too)

  • Newts or salamanders (can carry dangerous pathogens to each other)

Best kept in a species-only tank.

🐾 Fun Facts

  • They have keratinized claws on their back feet—used for digging and defense

  • They can regenerate their limbs when young

  • They were once used worldwide as pregnancy test animals (bioassay!)

  • Albinos are easier to see underwater, which is why labs prefer them

  • They “sing” softly underwater—males make a buzzing call