Surinam Toad

Surinam Toad key facts

Care level

Intermediate

Lifespan

About 7 years on average in captivity

Size

15-17cm

Temperature

23〜25℃

Diet

Earthworms and feeder fish (live food)

Temperature & Humidity

Hold the water at about 23-25 C. Being fully aquatic it needs no ambient humidity control, but it dislikes sudden swings, so use a heater and thermostat.

Enclosure

A pair fits a tank of about 110 L (29 gallons). Substrate is optional; provide potted plants or pipe sections as cover. Run generous filtration to keep water quality stable.

Diet & Feeding

Feed live food such as earthworms and feeder fish. As an ambush predator it responds to movement and rarely takes prepared diets. Any tank mate that fits in the mouth will be eaten.

Temperament

It is remarkably inactive, resting on the bottom with the forelimbs held out. Conspecific aggression is low and groups can be kept. It is shy of handling.

Notes

It lacks dermal antimicrobial peptides and is thought to be more susceptible to chytridiomycosis and ranavirus, so quarantine new arrivals. Keep the lid secured, as it can leave the tank.

About Surinam Toad

The Surinam toad is a fully aquatic frog from South America, known for its leaf-like flattened body and the female's unique habit of raising eggs embedded in her back skin.

7 things to know before welcoming a Surinam Toad

1. 1Fully Aquatic, No Land Needed

   Surinam toads spend virtually their entire lives underwater, so no land area is required in the setup. That means stable water quality and temperature become the key factors for keeping them healthy.

2. 2Leaf-Like Camouflage

   Its flattened body and triangular head let it mimic a sunken leaf remarkably well. Because it tends to stay motionless, newcomers may find it hard to spot at first.

3. 3No Tongue — Suction Feeding

   Lacking a tongue, it uses its front legs to sweep prey toward its mouth, then sucks it in along with the surrounding water in one quick motion. This gives keepers a chance to observe its distinctive feeding behavior with live or sinking foods.

4. 4Eggs Raised in the Back Skin

   During breeding, fertilized eggs become embedded in the skin of the female's back, where they develop until emerging as froglets — a striking and unusual form of parental care. Even without breeding in mind, this trait can be seen in the size and build differences between males and females.

5. 5Best Suited to Experienced Keepers

   This species is considered best suited to keepers with some prior experience, as it is sensitive to water quality decline. First-time aquatic amphibian keepers are encouraged to build up basic water-quality management knowledge before bringing one home.

6. 6An Average Lifespan of About 7 Years

   In captivity, the average lifespan is around 7 years. Since this is a long-term commitment, it's worth confirming in advance that you can maintain a stable tank environment over that span.

7. 7Adults Reach 15–17 cm

   Adults grow to roughly 15–17 cm in length. Be sure to prepare a tank with enough floor space and water volume to comfortably accommodate their adult size.

Frequently asked questions about Surinam Toad

Q.Does the Surinam toad ever come onto land?

A.No, it is fully aquatic and spends almost its entire life underwater. There's no need to provide a land area — the setup should focus entirely on an aquatic environment.

Q.Why does it look like a dead leaf?

A.Its flattened body and triangular head mimic a sunken dead leaf. This is thought to help it hide from predators and approach prey without being noticed.

Q.What does it mean that it raises eggs on its back?

A.During breeding, fertilized eggs become embedded in the skin of the female's back, where they develop until emerging as froglets. It's known as one of the more unusual forms of parental care among frogs.

Q.Is the Surinam toad suitable for beginners?

A.This species is considered best suited to keepers with some prior experience. Since it's sensitive to changes in water quality, it's recommended to have some aquatic amphibian experience or to learn the basics of water management beforehand.

Q.Is the Surinam toad subject to CITES?

A.The Surinam toad is not subject to CITES.

Useful tools for Surinam Toad care

Learn more about Surinam Toad in the encyclopedia

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