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FAQs About Xenopus laevis, African Clawed Frogs,
Reproduction Related Articles: Amphibians,
Turtles,
Related FAQs:
Xenopus in General,
Xenopus Identification,
Xenopus Behavior,
Xenopus Compatibility, Xenopus Selection,
Xenopus Systems,
Xenopus Feeding, Xenopus Disease, &
Amphibians 1, Amphibians 2,
Frogs Other Than African and Clawed,
African Dwarf Frogs,
Turtles, Amphibian Identification,
Amphibian Behavior,
Amphibian Compatibility,
Amphibian Selection,
Amphibian Systems,
Amphibian Feeding,
Amphibian Disease,
Amphibian Reproduction, |
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Xenopus Breeding and Care
6/10/08
Hello,
<Hi there>
I have 4 ACF's that are at least 1 year old. I have 2 males and 2 females.
One of the females is a little bit older and quite a bit bigger than the
other. Although the males have attached themselves to the females in the
past, they have not laid eggs until this weekend. The big female laid
approx. 1000 eggs Saturday and at least 80% were eaten. This morning
(Monday), the same male and female were "at it" again, and she was laying
more eggs. My question to you is twofold. First, what should we do with the
eggs to care for them properly? Should we move them to a separate tank?
<Yes, this is best>
Should we net them off in the parent tank? Second, do we need to separate
the males from the females now that they are mature?
<If you don't want them to reproduce... more, yes>
Will it kill the females to mate too often or too much?
<There is speculation that their lifetimes are shortened by too
much/reproduction>
(I cannot seem to find a lot of information regarding the breeding of
Xenopus and how to care for the eggs/tadpoles)
Thank you very much for your help.
Rachel
<Mmmm, please search with the terms: Xenopus laevis reproduction, culture,
care... There are thousands of citations. This species has been used in many
scientific experiments over decades time. Bob Fenner>
African Clawed Frogs mating 3/14/08
Hi,
<Hello there>
First off, thank you for your site!! I found it searching for my question and
have gleaned a wealth of information.
<Ah, good>
I purchased 2 Albino ACFs from Wal-Mart a couple months ago as froglettes. I
bought 2 because I've read that they are social creatures.
Turns out that I have a male and a female. I've been reading quite a bit about
their mating behaviors but still have the following concerns.
First, I only want 2 frogs and do not have the time or equipment to raise a
bunch of tadpoles...
<Mmm, I'd be trading one in for another of the opposite sex...>
and if I did what would I do with them all once they were grown?
<Mmm, either destroy (Xenopus are incredibly invasive...) or selling to/through
local to national outlets>
Second, I'm a bit squeamish about letting them mate and then letting them eat
their own eggs (I know, it's nature, but it just really creeps me out). I've
read through searches that they mate 4 times a year mostly during the spring.
The mating rituals have begun on our tank. The male has black nuptial pads, is
calling during the evening/night and is grasping the female around the waist
(and the even stranger thing, he undulates on top of her... umm... like mammals
do... I didn't think amphibians did that).
<Mmm, yes>
They are not doing the flips at the top of the water yet and the female doesn't
seem very interested and actually swims away from the male often when he's
calling and gets near her. I'm not completely sure what series the events go in
for mating, but she's not all fat with eggs as other sites have shown. So I'm
not even sure she's ready to mate.
<Maybe not>
So my question is, do I separate them and if so, when and for how long?
<Really... indefinitely>
Is there any way to make mating not so attractive (I read about water temp for
priming mating)?
<Not practically>
Also, I noticed that her cloaca is red, is that part of the mating or is there
something wrong with her?
<Mmm, no, not likely... hormonal, physical...>
I know I sound pretty clueless, but I haven't found too much info on ACF mating
out there. Thanks in advance for your help.
Stephanie
<Trade either the female or male and get/keep two of the same sex... Bob Fenner>
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