Fish, frogs and snails

Question
Dear Expert,
We have a 50 gallon tank where we enjoy our molly fish their babies and our black mystery snails(golden and white snails also) and A friend asked if we could take her aqua frog.I need to know if the frog can live in the same tank with our other family? Will the frog eat our babies?and do we have to have anything special in the tank for the frog like special water,food or plants?

Answer
Hello,

There are many species of aquatic frog, however the most commonly kept in the aquarium hobby is the African Clawed Frog.

These frogs have a need for live food.  They will not eat, or survive on flake or pellet foods.  Unfortunately, in the pet trade, there are those who would tell you that they will.  I have raised them, and they must have live food.

For you, as a MOlly owner, this does pose a threat to baby fish, however, not on the scale that you might imagine.  These frogs are small.  

Baby Mollies are dropped to the ground, first, and then take off from there.  It is during that time period that the frog might take a natural instinctive opportunity to eat the baby fish.  The truth is, however, Mollies drop so many babies, that one or two, or three might perish, however most Mollies birth 10 or more babies per birthing, every few weeks.  I don't think, honestly, that the frog's addition to the tank would be such a huge worry if you already have a good baby survival rate.

It would be like in the wild.  Survival of the fittest.

The frog will also require safety around the tank's edges, as they are known to climb out.  Although primarily aquatic, they are amphibious, and require air to breathe, also.  

There are many species of aquatic frog.  If it is a species of frog which exceeds two inches, then it would pose a threat to your adult molly population, however, most fish can out-swim a frog.  It's only those who are smallest, who are the most at risk.

An added benefit is the size of your aquarium.  50 gallons is sufficient for most fish to survive while having an aquatic frog in captivity.  

You will need to provide tubiflex or blood worms for this frog.  They will need to be fed daily for him to survive.  I take a small amount (half a teaspoon or so) and drop it in one clump to the bottom, and suddenly, out of nowhere, this little frog appears and gulps it down.  They are quite comical and cute.  I have immensely enjoyed my frog populations.

I hope this helps you sincerely.

Renee