Indian Bullfrog (Tiger Frog)

1 Overview

The Indian bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus), also the ‘water chicken’, has females larger than males; stout and ‘frog of Asia’. Named for tiger-like body markings.

SOURCE NOTE: the source listed the family as Ranidae; it is an amphibian (not a reptile). Listed as a China Grade II protected animal – private keeping without permission is illegal; this profile is for breeders or farmers.

2 Appearance

Females larger; adults up to 12 cm, ideal 250-500 g. Rough skin; head and sides with dark irregular blotches. Back yellow-green slightly brown with a dozen longitudinal skin ridges between which sit small warts.

Belly white with irregular blotches; throat and chest grey-brown. Limb bands. Named for tiger-like markings. Toes pointed-round, fully webbed. Forelimbs stout with grey digit pads; males have a pair of pale-blue vocal sacs. A China Grade II protected animal.

Head typically triangular, no clear neck boundary; pointed snout reduces drag. Wide mouth, eyes on top sides with foldable transparent nictitating membrane; nostril valve controls air. Males have a pale-blue throat sac (resonance). Hind limbs longer, 5 toes webbed for swimming and jumping. Body golden with black spots.

3 Habitat & Environment

A Grade II protected animal; private keeping is generally banned. For farmers: quiet, pollution-free water; best growth 22-28 C, dies below 4 C or above 35 C; stops feeding and brumates below 12 C, wakes at 16 C. Tadpoles reach about 150 g in 6 months (May-Oct). Rival the wild spiny-breasted frog in meat quality; wild one scarce and hard to farm, so the bullfrog substitutes.

Overwintering pond: must hold water well (dry winter kills by thirst or frost). In northern Fujian add a greenhouse (not necessarily heating). Use a cement pond over 1.5 m deep, water about 1 m, with a 1/4 resting platform or floating rest. Put hiding material (straw, tiles, bamboo) in the bottom. Hides by day; juveniles fear disturbance and bright light – keep the edge quiet and shaded.

4 Care & Feeding

Keep water clean – remove leftovers and faeces, change water, reduce disease (hygiene first, then diet). Pellets sized to swallow; smooth surface, fast water-softening, low salt or oil or odour, over 38% protein.

Manage heat and overwintering: in heat add water, water-hyacinth, shade, cold sprays; in winter keep warm to avoid frostbite. Has a cannibal habit – stock same-size frogs, separate larger ones after 2-3 months. Active captive breeding research shows fast metamorphosis and growth, takes static food without taming – a good farm animal. Breeding May-August; external fertilisation in water; tadpoles then move to land.