Frog and Froglet Shipments

In the UK Xenopus are sent using specialist animal couriers in 16 litre lidded buckets containing approximately 7 litres of water from their tanks. This is now known to be the least stressful method. Self-collection by an experienced Xenopus worker in a temperature controlled vehicle is also possible. When the frogs arrive please treat them as outlined below.

Xenopus are sent by air using specialist animal couriers in large, insulated outer boxes. Each of these outer boxes contains 6 inner plastic boxes which can each contain one of:

Female Xla: 3

Male Xla: 5

Female Xtr: 6

Male Xtr: 10

Transport by this method is expensive, often more than €1200 for the first large box even within Europe, with subsequent boxes adding around 20% to the total price. To reduce this cost consider ordering fertilised eggs or frozen sperm (Xtr). For Xla we often send fresh testes which remain active for up to 2 weeks.

Although we make every attempt to identify the best transport methods the frogs will be stressed when they arrive. Ensure that you examine each one and if any are less active than you expect put them separately in shallow water until they recover. Give the frogs a light feed (below) the following day and do not use them for at least a week.

Feeding

Be very careful to reduce the frequency of feeding slowly if you intend to do it; a rapid drop will result in poor egg/embryo quality.

Adults                             Horizon 23 pellets –made by Skretting fed 3 – 4 times each day, several pellets each.

Froglets                          Horizon XP 23 pellets (may be ground smaller in coffee grinder) – fed 3 – 4 times each day, several pellets each + standard flake fish food.

Do not overfeed as this may pollute the water and the frogs will eat less.

Giving adequate food is very important when the frogs are growing, this can affect the final size of the frogs and delay maturity. Feeding the right amount is also important as adults, when a lack of nutrition may affect the quality and quantity of eggs produced.

All frogs may be given occasional supplements of lamb’s heart or similar, cut to appropriate size, especially for frogs with weight loss, or non-competitors.