Everything You Should Know About African Dwarf Frog Cloudy Eyes 

African dwarf frogs are comparatively very low maintenance, which makes them easy to take care of. However, most pet owners find themselves in complete confusion when dealing with cloudy eyes in African dwarf frogs. 

So, how to deal with an African dwarf frog’s cloudy eyes? Cloudy eyes mean your frog isn’t doing well. This could be because of infections, injury, toxins, or any stressors around their environment. You need to treat it immediately based on what’s causing the cloudy eyes. 

Keep on reading as we tell you more about this condition and what’s causing it. Additionally, we will tell you how to treat it as well as prevent it so that you can avoid dilemmas like this in the future. 

What Does It Mean By African Dwarf Frogs Cloudy Eyes?

Paying attention to your frog’s eyes can save it from a great deal of pain. Cloudy eyes in African dwarf frogs are an indication of diseases or injury. It is very unusual for your frog to have cloudy eyes. 

Healthy African dwarf frogs normally have clear and shiny eyes. It is usually black or any other dark color that resembles black. Some may have an olive-green hue with black spots around it. It’s always beneficial to know about their appearance as any abnormality can indicate sickness. 

Cloudy eyes may often lead to blurred vision or partial obstruction. Your frog’s eyes aren’t just for seeing but also for communication and navigating their environment. Therefore, cloudy eyes can hinder your frog’s day-to-day activities. 

Cloudy eyes can be quite dangerous for your frog. It needs appropriate treatment immediately. Early diagnosis and intervention increase the chance of quick recovery without even going to the vet. Therefore, it is crucial for you to identify what’s causing your frog’s eyes to be cloudy. 

Reasons For Cloudy Eyes in African Dwarf Frogs

Let’s get into the details about the reasons behind the cloudy eyes in ADFs. 

Low Water Quality

Poor water quality can lead to all sorts of infections. Improper filtration or imbalance in the pH level of the water can cause cloudy eyes. Water and air are the main sources of an African dwarf frog’s livelihood. Any minor error in monitoring their water can make them sick.

Toxins

Any toxic substances can cause your frogs to have cloudy eyes. However,  it’s hard to understand what is toxic to your frogs. Thus, the room for error in this case is high. Inappropriate food, cleaning agents, exotic decors, or plants can be toxic.

Parasites are also toxic for your frog. They can ruin your frog’s organs as well as their vision. 

Low Oxygen Level

Lower oxygen levels make frogs prone to cloudy eyes. Oxygen is crucial for your frog. If the aquarium is completely filled with water, they can’t come to the surface for oxygen. 

Injury Or Trauma

Frogs often get injured from sharp decor in the aquarium. Also, sometimes, African frogs are just hostile to each other, which leads to injury. These injuries could be in the eye itself or any other part of the body. 

Stress Or Anxiety

All aforementioned reasons can stress out frogs, making them more prone to cloudy eyes. Other factors, such as new members in the aquarium and changes in diet or environment, can make them anxious, too. 

How To Treat An African Dwarf Frog’s Cloudy Eyes? 

Your frog needs treatment based on what’s causing the cloudiness. Use an antifungal medication if it is showing symptoms of fungal infection. In this case, you will notice white blotches on the skin alongside cloudy eyes. 

These symptoms are followed by frequent scratching, wrinkles, and loss of appetite. 

Needless to say, use antibacterial amphibian medication for bacterial infections. If you’re not a medical professional, identifying bacterial infections can be a little harder. 

These infections don’t cause white blotches on the skin. You may notice other symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy, and sometimes red skin.  

Moreover, you need to quarantine your frogs. These infections can be contagious for other frogs, especially if it’s due to the fungal disease Chytrid. This video will help you to quarantine your frog: 

However, if the condition isn’t due to infections, we recommend using an eye drop. Use any over-the-counter eye drops available in your local pet store.

Lastly, if your frog is injured, bathe it in a warm saline solution. Follow this with an over-the-counter ointment. 

However, call your vet immediately if the wound is deep. Furthermore, don’t hesitate to rush to the vet if the condition is persistent despite the appropriate treatment.

How To Prevent Cloudy Eyes? 

As previously told, cloudy eyes are a signal of abnormality in African dwarf frogs. This brings us to the question of how to prevent these cloudy eyes. To get your answers, follow the steps below. 

Maintenance of Water Quality

The easiest method for prevention is controlling the quality of the water. Monitor the pH levels, oxygen levels, and temperature. The temperature of water should be between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pH should be between 6.5 to 7.5. 

As for oxygen, leave enough space in the tank so the frog can take oxygen from the surface. Check for pollutants in your frog’s water. Check the ammonia, chlorine, and chloramine levels. These substances are toxic for your frogs and should be removed. Use a well-filtered water supply to prevent this. 

More importantly, make sure the tank or aquarium is being cleaned properly. Use a saline solution if needed.

Remove Stressors 

Remove any stressors around your frog. You need to observe and find out what’s stressing out your frog. This could be anything like sharp inanimate objects, sudden loud noises, constant changes in their environment, etc. Remove other aggressive frogs from the tank as well

Stressors can also be reduced if you stop frequently handling your frog. In such cases, the best you can do is give it some space. Additionally, give them a stable environment. Making constant changes in their surroundings or diet can make them anxious. 

Crowd Maintenance

Also, don’t overcrowd the tank with too many frogs or decors. Opt for minimal decor, which will give your frog plenty of space to hide when stressed out.

Remove Toxins

Remove any toxins around your frog. Check the detergent or bleach you use to clean the tank. They can have irritants or can be of higher concentrations that may not suit frogs. Additionally, review their diets and check for any allergens. 

FAQ

We have covered pretty much everything on cloudy eyes in African dwarf frogs and how to deal with them. Let’s move to some frequently asked questions. 

Conclusion 

So, what to do with African dwarf frog cloudy eyes? Cloudy eyes are a clear indication of sickness. Your frog may catch a bacterial or fungal infection. Put your frog in quarantine immediately and treat it based on the type of infection it has. However, infections aren’t the only reason for cloudy eyes. 

Your frog could be anxious or stressed out, which causes their eyes to be cloudy. Remove stressors from your frog’s tank. Finally, injuries can cause cloudy eyes, too, so check for any wounds. Don’t hesitate to contact the vet if you’re too overwhelmed. We hope this has been helpful. Good luck!