Frogs have become popular pets over the years, but not every type of frog will thrive in the same size tank. Smaller types of frogs can thrive in tanks just a few gallons big, while others need to be kept in tanks of at least 20 gallons.
9 Frogs That Can Live In Small Tanks
There are 9 types of frogs that can be housed in small tanks, from 5 to 20 gallons. The exact size tank that is appropriate will depend on the specific type of pet frog.
5 Gallon Tanks
1. Fire Bellied Toad
- Scientific name: Bombina orientalis
- Appearance: greenish with orange and brown belly
- Diet: worms, crickets, spiders
Fire-bellied toads have colorful appearances, and make great additions to your small aquarium. They have a gentle temperament and are easy to handle and care for, making them great for beginner frog owners.
Fire-bellied toads are even one of the recommended pets for children to have. They are small enough to thrive in a five-gallon tank, and two or three can live together. In larger tanks you can have even more of these animals. They can be fed a number of insects and diet supplements.
2. American Dwarf Frog
- Scientific name: Hymenochirus curtipes
- Appearance: brownish gray with webbed feet
- Diet: bloodworms, brine shrimp
American dwarf frogs are full aquatic animals and they can comfortably live in a five gallon tank. Up to two can be kept in the same tank, while 15 or 20 gallon tanks can house even more American dwarf frogs.
There is a similar species, the American clawed frog, that looks the same but grows too large for these small tanks. They can eat brine shrimp, bloodworms, and food pellets.
3. Oak Toad
- Scientific name: Anaxyrus quercicus
- Appearance: greenish with dark marks
- Diet: spiders, ants, beetles
Oak toads are small toads that can be kept in a five gallon tank, as long as they are kept in the tank alone. They have a dark greenish coloring with dark marks, and a light underbelly. As adults they are less than two inches in size, and can eat a range of insects.
These toads can be fed spiders, ants, and beetles. While popular pets, they can also be found across North America in the wild.
4. Clown Tree Frog
- Scientific name: Dendropsophus leucophyllatus
- Appearance: orangish white with large eyes
- Diet: flies, crickets
The clown tree frog thrives in tropical habitats, and they can be kept as pets just like many other types of tree frogs. A single frog can be kept in a five gallon tank, as long as they have plenty of places to hide and climb. These frogs should also have a source of water in their tank that they can fully submerge in.
Like most tree frogs, it is ideal for the clown tree frog to be kept in a tank that is taller than it is longer. They can eat live food like crickets, flies, and worms. Multiple of these frogs should be kept in tanks at least 20 gallons big.
10 Gallon Tanks
5. Red Eyed Tree Frog
- Scientific name: Agalychnis callidryas
- Appearance: green with large red eyes
- Diet: crickets, flies
Red eyed tree frogs are one of the most recognizable types of pet frogs. As adults they reach around two to three inches in size, and can move comfortably in a 10 gallon tank. The tank should be tall, giving these tree frogs plenty of room to climb.
These animals enjoy live food like worms, crickets, or flies. Red eyed tree frogs are fairly easy to care for, making them great for beginners.
6. Leopard Frog
- Scientific name: Lithobates
- Appearance: green with dark markings
- Diet: earthworms, crickets
Leopard frogs are unique looking animals with green bodies and dark markings that resemble ovals. They are semi aquatic, so any 10 gallon tank they are kept in should have plenty of water for them to access. While leopard frogs don’t like to be handled, they are quite easy to care for.
This makes them a great option for people that don’t have much experience with pet frogs. These frogs are also commonly seen in the forest of North America. They can eat earthworms, flies, and crickets.
7. American Green Tree Frog
- Scientific name: Hyla cinerea
- Appearance: light green
- Diet: crickets, spiders, flies
American green tree frogs are commonly found across North America, and have also become a well known pet for frog lovers. As their name suggests, they are typically a green color with a lighter underbelly. They are less than three inches in size as adults, and can be housed in a 10 gallon tank easily.
They need plenty of space to climb, and it is recommended to go with a tank taller than it is wide. American green tree frogs feed on flies, crickets, spiders, and other bugs.
15 Gallon Tanks
8. White’s Tree Frog
- Scientific name: Litoria caerulea
- Appearance: dark to light green
- Diet: moths, spiders, roaches
White’s tree frogs are one of the largest types of tree frogs in the world, and when kept as pets should be kept in 15 gallon tanks. These green frogs need plenty of space to climb, and can eat live insects like spiders, roaches, and moths. In the wild, they are native to Australia.
20 Gallon Tanks
9. Pacman Frog
- Scientific name: Ceratophrys cranwelli
- Appearance: dark green with dark brown or black marks
- Diet: worms, crickets, roaches
Pacman frogs are also called Ornate Horn Frog, and are not as active as other types of frogs kept as pets. Since these frogs are so big as adults, they should be kept in a 10-20 gallon tank, despite how inactive they can be. They can get up to 8 inches big, and eat various types of bugs, as well as worms.
Conclusion
Even if you only have a small tank to keep your new pet frog in, you will still have plenty of options to consider. There are various popular pet frogs that can be kept in tanks from 5 to 20 gallons, depending on the species and number of frogs being kept together.
