 |
 |
Common names: Asian greenback frog, Asian emerald frog, Cascade frog
Wild habitat: This species inhabits flowing mountain streams and hides in rock crevices. It is abundant in some areas around Hong Kong.
Description: Up to 2" SVL, pointed nose, brown and dull green stripes down side, green or brownish-green back. Jim Anderson at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago helped me verify the scientific name of these frogs. He said that Rana livida and Rana erythraea are very similar, but based on the markings by these frogs’ eyes, these are R. livida. I have come across two versions of the name: "lividis" and "livida". I had these frogs for about a year and a half, before I gave them to a fellow herp-club member.
Enclosure: 10-20 gallon tank (or larger) divided so about 1/3 is water (or use a large water bowl). If the water is not filtered, change it every few days. They like running water, so a pump/fountain is recommended. The tank should be well-planted. Substrate should be aquarium gravel with potted plants set into it, or a potting soil and sand mix with plants set directly into that. They have skin secretions toxic to other frogs kept in the same container, so they should be in their own tank.
Lighting: Fluorescent suitable for plants
Temperature: 70-75 days, 65 nights. At normal house temperatures, the florescent light will provide what little heat they need.
Food: Small crickets (well-fed and gut-loaded); also flies, moths, small mealworms, earthworms, wax worms, etc. – any insects of appropriate size.
Captive behavior: They are nocturnal and spend the daylight hours in the plants or under things. They do not climb glass, but can climb plants and cords, so their tank needs to be escape-proof. The males sometimes call at night (a nice one-note "chirp") from in or near the water.