Lesueur's frog (Litoria lesueuri) is an agile stream-dwelling frog from the flowing creeks and rivers of eastern Australia, reaching around 6-7cm. They are strong jumpers and swimmers, often found basking on rocks near water.
Housing
Set up a semi-aquatic, creek-style enclosure with a generous clean water area, smooth rocks to sit on, and some plants. Good water quality and gentle flow suit them well. Secure the enclosure, as they are fast and athletic.
Temperature
A temperate to subtropical species comfortable around 18-26C; protect from extremes and avoid sustained cold.
Lighting
Low-level UVB (2.0, never 10.0) for 10-12 hours is beneficial, especially as they bask.
Water
Dechlorinate all tap water (e.g. Repti Safe), maintain good water quality with filtration and gentle movement, change up to 50% at a time and provide easy exits onto land.
Feeding
Offer varied live insects - crickets, woodies, moths - dusted with calcium/multivitamin about half the feeds. Juveniles daily; adults 2-3 times a week.
Breeding
Lesueur's frogs breed seasonally in flowing creeks and rivers, which is hard to replicate in captivity; breeding is best attempted by experienced keepers with a good water set-up. Eggs are laid in water and the tadpoles are raised in clean, cool, well-oxygenated water with gentle flow before metamorphosing over several weeks to months.
Overview
Agile and reaching around 6-7cm, Lesueur's frog is an athletic stream-dweller that often basks on rocks near water and can live many years with good care. Provide a clean water area with gentle flow and filtration, low-level (2.0) 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, low-level 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.
