The green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea) is a large, striking semi-aquatic frog - emerald green with golden-bronze markings - reaching around 8-11cm. Once common, it is now threatened in the wild, so captive-bred animals are valued. Unlike most tree frogs, bell frogs love to bask and spend a lot of time in and around water.
Housing
Provide a semi-aquatic set-up with a large, clean water area plus dry land, rocks and plants. Floor space and water volume matter more than height. Good filtration helps keep the larger water area clean.
Temperature & lighting
A sun-loving species - provide a warm basking area (around 26-30C basking, cooler elsewhere) and, because they bask, a slightly higher UVB level than tree frogs (a 2.0-5.0 UVB) for 10-12 hours. Avoid sustained cold.
Water
Dechlorinate all tap water (e.g. Repti Safe), change up to 50% at a time, and maintain good water quality with filtration; provide easy land access from the water.
Feeding
A bold predator - offer varied live insects (crickets, woodies, larger insects) dusted with calcium/multivitamin about half the feeds. Note bell frogs will eat smaller frogs, so house only with similar-sized companions. Juveniles daily; adults 2-3 times a week.
Breeding
Bell frogs breed seasonally, triggered by warmth and rain; heavy misting or a rain chamber over a large water area can simulate this. Eggs are laid in water and the tadpoles are raised in clean, well-filtered, well-oxygenated water before metamorphosing into froglets over several weeks. As a threatened species, captive breeding is especially valued - keep only similar-sized animals together.
Overview
Large, striking and reaching around 8-11cm, the green and golden bell frog is a sun-loving, semi-aquatic species that loves to bask and can live many years with good care. Provide a clean water area with filtration, a warm basking spot, slightly higher (2.0-5.0) UVB and dechlorinated water. In Queensland a licence is required to keep frogs.
The team at Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium can help with semi-aquatic frog set-ups, filtration and water treatment.
Recommended products
Set your frog up with gear from Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium: terrariums, UVB lighting, substrate & plants, water conditioner, filtration, live feeders and calcium & supplements. A licence is required in Queensland to keep frogs - see our QLD licence guide.
