Animals must be segregated by size to prevent cannibalism. They should be segregated by sex unless breeding is desired and is part of the protocol. If the water temperature is suboptimal, frogs will not eat and their metabolism and immune systems will be depressed. Xenopus are sensitive to temperature changes within the room as well as the temperature changes of water. An issue of great concern for aquatic anurans.
Frogs have very permeable skin and are therefore very sensitive to toxic substances.
Personnel changing the water or handling animals should always wear gloves. Water quality can be affected by geographical location, water source, quantity, method of transport, type of food fed to the frogs, and the amount of waste released back into the water. The following water quality standards for fish should also be applied to anurans. Pipes for aquatic systems should be made of black iron or high density polyethylene, polypropylene or nylon. Zinc can be leached from galvanized pipes.