Scientific Name: Pipa carvalhoi.
Common Names: Carvalho's Surinam Toad, Dwarf Surinam Toad, Three Clawed Toad, Star-fingered Toad.
Distribution: Brazil.
Size: 5-8cm.
Sexing: Males can be heard making a "metallic" trilling call. Females are larger and have visibly swollen papillae when in breeding condition. Scars on their backs from previous spawning may identify older females.
Colouration: Dark grey - brown dorsum marked with black spots. The ventral surface is white with dark patches.
Requirements: These aquatic frogs and can be maintained in a fairly small aquarium, a 10-gallon tank would be adequate for 2-3 adults. They require a totally aquatic set-up with a substrate of gravel or sand. Furnishings such as pebbles, rocks, drift wood and aquatic plants can be arranged to provide a number of hiding places. The water should be clean de-chlorinated or spring water at a depth of 20 - 30cm. The water will need to be filtered using a small submersible power filter to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria in the water, and partial water changes should be carried out at regular intervals. They require a water temperature of 24-25°C, and a low wattage fluorescent tube can be used as a light source.
Feeding: Pipa carvalhoi should be fed daily with a mixture of suitably sized insects including Tubifex, whiteworm, Daphnia, Earthworms and pellets.
