Scientific Name: Afrixalus fornasinii
Common Names: Fornasini's Spiny Reed Frog, Fornasini's Leaf Frog
Distribution: Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Size: 3 - 4cm.
Sexing: The males of this species may be heard calling this is a creaking noise followed by a series of clicks. Males may also be identified by the spines that appear on their back.
Colouration: The dorsal surface is a dark brown with broad silverish dorsolateral stripes starting on top of the snout and continuing to the vent. In some specimen these stripes may be so wide that they meet in the middle giving the appearance of a totally silver back.
Requirements: These small agile frogs can jump over a large distance and so require a fairly large terrarium. A 15-gallon tank would be adequate for a group of 4 adults. They require a savannah type set-up with a substrate of bark chips, topsoil or moss. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark and sturdy thin-leafed plants can be arranged to provide a number of climbing, perching and hiding places. A small water bowl (no deeper than the frog's height at rest) must be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water. The tank will need to be heated to a daytime temperature of 24 - 26°C with a drop at night to 20 - 22°C this can be done with an under-tank heat-mat controlled by a thermostat. It is not advisable to use spot / heat lamps with amphibians and so a separate light source should be provided by the means of a fluorescent UVB tube.
Maintenance: Water will need changing daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria. Whilst changing the water it is a good idea to spot clean the tank and remove, clean, and replace any soiled items. At least once a month the entire terrarium and it's contents should be striped, cleaned, and sterilized using an amphibian friendly disinfectant.
Feeding: For adults a mixture of suitably sized insects including crickets, mini-mealworm, flies, waxworm, and caterpillars should be fed every two-three days. A calcium and vitamin supplement should be used once weekly. Young frogs will take hatchling crickets and fruitflies, these should be fed every day and a calcium and vitamin supplement used two-three times a week.
