Amphibians have been seeing some steady growth in their popularity as pets recently and although they are still a relative niche pet, they are definitely one of the fastest growing pet types in North America.
With there being so many people looking to get involved in amphibian keeping who are either on a budget or have limited space available, we have noticed some people asking about amphibians that they are able to keep in a 20 gallon tank.
This is why we have decided to publish this article going over the best amphibians for a 20 gallon tank to try and help as many of our readers as possible better understand the type of amphibian that they should be trying to keep in their tanks.
Now, before we go any further with our article, we just want to say that we are specifically referring to 20 gallon long tanks, not 20 gallon tall tanks. The amphibians listed in this article are not suitable for 20 gallon tall tanks so keep this in mind!
What Amphibian Can I Put In A 20 Gallon Tank?
We have our list of amphibians that can do well in a 20 gallon tank below and then we will have a more in-depth look at each option throughout the rest of the article.
- Fire-Bellied Toads
- American Toads
- Red-Eyed Tree Frogs
- African Clawed Frogs
- Whites Tree Frog
- Fire-Bellied Newts
- Dart Frogs
- Green Tree Frog
- Red Spotted Newts
- Paddle Tail Newt
Fire-Bellied Toads
The first amphibian on our list is the fire-bellied toad and these toads make for some of the best 20 gallon tank amphibians because of how easy they are to care for and how rewarding they can be to watch.
Fire-bellied toads are relatively small animals so they do not require a ton of space and they are also very easy to feed since they will readily accept most commercially available frog and toad foods.
One of the coolest things about fire-bellied toads is that they are able to change their coloration depending on their mood and temperature and so they can be quite a sight to see when they are happy and relaxed in their tanks.
If you are looking for a low maintenance amphibian that is still really fun to watch then a fire-bellied toad might be the perfect option for you and your 20 gallon tank.
American Toads
Next on our list of the best 20 gallon tank amphibians are American toads and these toads make great pets for a few reasons.
American toads are relatively small animals so they do not require a ton of space and they are also very easy to feed since they will readily accept most commercially available frog and toad foods.
Toads are also generally very hardy animals so they are able to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions which makes them very easy to care for.
If you are looking for a low maintenance amphibian that is still really fun to watch then an American toad might be the perfect option for you and your 20 gallon tank.
Green Tree Frog
Green tree frogs are probably the cheapest entry on our list of amphibians that can live in a 20 gallon tank.
Although some people don’t like the look of them due to being pretty basic, they are very hardy amphibians making them one of the more beginner friendly options on this list.
Many people who do start to keep pet amphibians start off with a green tree frog due to how easy to keep and we would also recommend them for a total beginner too due to how forgiving they are for some of the more common mistakes people make.
Red-Eyed Tree Frogs
Red-eyed tree frogs are another great option for 20 gallon tanks and these frogs make great pets for a few reasons.
First and foremost, red-eyed tree frogs are relatively small animals so they do not require a ton of space.
These frogs are also very easy to feed since they will readily accept most commercially available frog and toad foods.
Another great thing about red-eyed tree frogs is that they are diurnal animals which means that they are active during the day and so they can be easily seen by their owners.
If you are looking for a low maintenance amphibian that is still really fun to watch then a red-eyed tree frog might be the perfect option for you and your 20 gallon tank.
Dart Frogs
The next amphibian on our list is the dart frog and these frogs make great 20 gallon tank amphibians for a few reasons.
First up, they can have a wide range of colors making them absolutely beautiful amphibians to keep in your tank.
Secondly, dart frogs are widely available for a cheap price in some locations making them one of the cheaper amphibians on our list that can work well in a 20 gallon tank.
Finally, dart frogs can be surprisingly easy to care for depending on the specific type of dart frog you opt to get.
African Clawed Frogs
The next amphibian on our list is the African clawed frog and these frogs make great 20 gallon tank amphibians for a few reasons.
African clawed frogs are relatively small animals so they do not require a ton of space and they are also very easy to feed since they will readily accept most commercially available frog and toad foods.
Another great thing about African clawed frogs is that they are very hardy animals and so they are able to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions which makes them very easy to care for.
If you are looking for a low maintenance amphibian that is still really fun to watch then an African clawed frog might be the perfect option for you and your 20 gallon tank.
Red Spotted Newts
Red spotted news can be more challenging to keep in a 20 gallon tank setup but if done correctly, it can work and it can work well.
Although they are not exactly beginner friendly amphibians, more and more people are starting to add red spotted newts to their tanks due to being so popular amongst various social media influencers in the amphibian keeping space helping to increase the profiles of the red spotted newts.
If you have the time to research the red spotted newt to perfect the habitat then they can be kept by beginners but they will usually need more time and effort than the other entries on this list.
Whites Tree Frogs
The next amphibian on our list is the white’s tree frog and these frogs make great 20 gallon tank amphibians for a few reasons.
First and foremost, white’s tree frogs are relatively small animals so they do not require a ton of space.
These frogs are also very easy to feed since they will readily accept most commercially available frog and toad foods.
Fire-Bellied Newts
Next on our list of the best 20 gallon tank amphibians are fire-bellied newts and these newts make great pets for a few reasons.
First and foremost, fire-bellied newts are relatively small animals so they do not require a ton of space.
These newts are also very easy to feed since they will readily accept most commercially available frog and toad foods.
Please note that depending on your location, fire bellied newts may actually be illegal to keep as pets so always check your local laws prior to getting the newt as a pet for your 20 gallon tank!
Paddle Tail Newt
The next amphibian on our list is the paddle tail newt and these newts make great 20 gallon tank amphibians for a few reasons.
First up, the paddle tail newt is a quirky character and can have a unique personality as far as amphibians go.
Secondly, these newts are widely available for a low price with the paddle tail newt being one of the cheaper species of newt on the market.
Finally, the paddle tail newt is a hardy newt making them one of the more beginner friendly newt species available for anyone looking to keep their amphibian in a 20 gallon aquarium tank.
