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African Dwarf frogs are fun pets to have in your aquarium. These peaceful little guys get along well with many other species and are easy to care for, making them an ideal choice for a beginner.
So, what tank mates make good companions for African Dwarf frogs?
Read this guide to learn which species can do well with these cute amphibians and which to avoid.
Key Takeaways
- When selecting tank mates for African Dwarf frogs, it’s crucial to choose species that require similar water conditions, such as a warm temperature range of 72°F to 82°F and a pH of 6.5 to 7.8.
- Peaceful, small to medium-sized fish that occupy different tank areas, like Betta Fish, Platies, and Corydoras Catfish, can coexist well with African Dwarf frogs without competing for space or food.
- Avoid large or aggressive fish and African Clawed frogs, which pose a threat to the smaller and more peaceful African Dwarf frogs due to predatory behavior or size.
About African Dwarf Frogs
Before you begin looking around for suitable tank mates for your frogs, you need to ensure that your chosen companions share the same essential water and habitat requirements as the frogs.
African Dwarf frogs are tropical animals that need a warm water temperature of 72°F to 82°F. The water pH should be between 6.5 and 7.8, with a water hardness of 5 to 20 dGH.
Note: These frogs are a freshwater species that cannot live in a brackish or marine environment.
In addition, you’ll need to consider the size of the other creatures and fish you want to keep, the size of your tank, the temperament and behavior of the proposed tank mates, and the diet they need.
Tank Size
African Dwarf frogs need an aquarium that holds around five gallons of water per frog. Remember to allow extra space for every new tankmate.
Behavior
African Dwarf frogs are shy creatures that don’t do well when bullied. So, I recommend you don’t include feisty fish in your community tank.
Ideally, choose tropical fish species and peaceful inverts to make non-aggressive tank mates for your frogs.
Eyesight
As Reddit contributor, Dd7990 points out in his recent post about keeping African Dwarf frogs with other species, the frogs are almost blind, which can lead to them taking a chomp out of a fish’s fins, mistaking it for a food source. In addition, the frogs could struggle to compete with greedy fish at mealtimes, potentially leading to a failure to thrive and even starvation.
Dd7990 recommends keeping the frogs in a single-species tank since they do best when kept in small groups of their own kind. However, if you provide a suitable environment with plenty of hiding places and ensure your frogs get plenty to eat, there are lots of fish species they can successfully share a tank with.
Diet
African Dwarf frogs are omnivores that prefer a diet primarily of meaty foods, and they will also eat high-protein fish pellets and flakes.
Perfect African Dwarf Frog Tank Mates
Now, let’s look at the best tank mates for these charming little frogs.
Here’s an at-a-glance summary to get you started!
Summary Table
| Tank Mate | Minimum Tank Size | Temperature Range | Care Level | Diet | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betta Fish | 5 gallons | 75° to 80°F | Easy | Primarily carnivorous | 2 to 3 inches |
| Platies | 5 gallons | 75° to 80°F | Easy | Omnivore | 2 inches |
| Corydoras Catfish | 20 gallons | 72° to 82°F | Easy | Omnivore | 1 to 4 inches |
| Shrimp (large species) | 5 gallons | 65° to 84°F | Easy | Omnivore | 0.5 to 1.5 inches |
| Nerite Snails | 5 gallons | 65° to 85°F | Easy | Omnivore | 1 inch |
| Fancy Guppies | 5 gallons | 75° to 80°F | Easy | Omnivore | 1.5 inches |
| Dwarf Gouramis | 10 gallons | 75° to 80°F | Easy | Omnivore | 2 inches |
| Cherry Barbs | 20 gallons | 68° to 80°F | Easy | Omnivore | 2 inches |
| Zebra Danios | 20 gallons | 65° to 75°F | Easy | Omnivore | 2 inches |
| Neon Tetras | 5 gallons | 68° to 82°F | Easy | Omnivore | 1.5 inches |
| Mollies | 10 gallons | 75° to 80°F | Easy | Omnivore | 2 inches |
| Hatchetfish | 20 gallons | 72° to 81°F | Easy | Omnivore | 2.5 inches |
Betta Fish
- Min. Tank size: 5 gallons
- Temperature: 75° to 80°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Primary carnivorous
- Length: 2 to 3 inches
Although bettas have a reputation for being aggressive and feisty, they can often get along just fine with African Dwarf frogs.
Indeed, I once owned a highly aggressive betta who was so confrontational he wouldn’t tolerate any other fish in his tank, even bottom-dwelling species like Corydoras catfish. I wanted to add interest to my setup and spotted a tank containing these tiny frogs in my local fish store. Intrigued, I decided to get a couple of these cute creatures for my betta tank. Amazingly, my angry betta ignored the frogs, so they made ideal tank mates for him.
Bettas spend most of their time in the upper parts of the water column, so the two species won’t get in each other’s way. Bettas are also primarily carnivorous, but the frogs are too large to be eaten, and the two species share pretty much the same dietary preferences.
Note: Your betta’s personality will dictate whether he gets along with African Dwarf frogs. Some betta fish will harass and attack the frogs, which is something you must be aware of.
Platies
- Min. Tank size: 5 gallons
- Temperature: 75° to 80°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Length: 2 inches
Platies are brightly colored livebearers that can make excellent tank mates for African Dwarf frogs.
These pretty little fish produce vast quantities of live fry, which the frogs will probably eat. However, that’s a good way to control the Platies’ population.
African Dwarf frogs and Platies are roughly the same size, need similar water conditions, and enjoy a similar type of food in their diet.
Corydoras Catfish
- Min. Tank size: 20 gallons
- Temperature: 72° to 82°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Length: 1 to 4 inches, depending on the species
Corydoras are small, peaceful, bottom-dwelling catfish that spend their entire lives hanging out on the substrate, occasionally darting to the surface to snatch a gulp of air.
There are around 100 varieties of Corys for you to choose from, all of which should get along fine with African Dwarf frogs. Both species share the same water requirements and enjoy a similar diet.
Shrimp
- Min. Tank size: 5 gallons
- Temperature: 65° to 84°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Length: 0.5 to 1.5 inches, depending on the species
Large species of freshwater shrimp, such as Cherry shrimp and Bamboo shrimp, can make suitable African Dwarf frog tank mates. Although the shrimp share the same tank area as the frogs, the two are peaceful species that can usually coexist without issues.
We recommend that you steer away from extremely tiny shrimp, as there is a small risk that the frogs might try to make a meal of them. However, the shrimp’s hard carapace will protect it from the attention of a curious frog. The frogs will probably eat baby shrimp.
Nerite Snails
- Min. Tank size: 5 gallons
- Temperature: 65° to 85°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Length: 1 inch
Nerite snails can work well as tank mates for African Dwarf frogs. The frogs won’t bother the snails, as the mollusks’ hard outer shell protects them, making them impossible for the frogs to eat. Most tropical freshwater snails, including Nerites, share similar water requirements with the frogs.
Snails eat algae, leftover food, and general detritus that they scavenge. That’s excellent news, as the snails can help keep the tank clean and tidy, saving you work and lightening the load on your biological filter.
Fancy Guppies
- Min. Tank size: 5 gallons
- Temperature: 75° to 80°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Size: 1.5 inches
Fancy guppies are a staple favorite in many home aquariums.
Guppies are lively, brilliantly colored livebearers who can bring excitement and vibrancy to any tank. These little fish are prolific breeders, producing dozens of fry regularly! That can provide a stable population of guppies since their lifespan is quite short.
Guppies can happily share the same water requirements as African Dwarf frogs, and they eat a similar diet, making these peaceful little fish ideal companions for the frogs.
Dwarf Gouramis
- Min. Tank size: 10 gallons
- Temperature: 75° to 80°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Length: 2 inches
Dwarf gouramis are attractive fish that can add a beautiful pop of color to your tank. These fish can be feisty and should be kept in groups of at least five individuals so they don’t bother the other fish in your community.
That said, gouramis won’t bother your African Dwarf frogs and vice versa. Both creatures eat a similar diet and enjoy the same basic water conditions.
Cherry Barbs
- Min. Tank size: 20 gallons
- Temperature: 68° to 80°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Length: 2 inches
Cherry barbs are small, peaceful, schooling fish that can create a gorgeous, colorful display in a community tank. The male fish are ruby red and look absolutely beautiful when set against a dark green backdrop of lush planting.
Barbs are active fish that spend much of their time patrolling the middle area of the water column so that they won’t hassle or interfere with your African Dwarf frogs.
Zebra Danios
- Min. Tank size: 20 gallons
- Temperature: 65° to 75°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Length: 2 inches
Several species of danios typically do well with African Dwarf frogs. In particular, Zebra danios create a wonderful display when kept in large shoals.
Zebra danios are peaceful fish that won’t hassle your frogs. However, it would be best if you steered away from really tiny fish that the frog might view as a food source. Both species enjoy the same basic water conditions and eat a similar diet, making them compatible tank mates.
Neon Tetras
- Min. Tank size: 5 gallons
- Temperature: 68° to 82°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Length: 1.5 inches
Tetras come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, and most make excellent tank mates for African Dwarf frogs.
Neon tetras are pretty little fish that are easy to care for, cheap to buy, and ideal for a beginner’s tank. Neons are schooling fish that are happiest in large groups of five or more.
These active little fish won’t bother your frogs, and they enjoy similar water conditions. Regarding diet, tetras are omnivores that have a varied diet of plant matter and some meaty protein.
Mollies
- Min. Tank size: 10 gallons
- Temperature: 75° to 80°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Length: 2 inches
Mollies are another species of vibrantly colored livebearers that can do well with African Dwarf frogs. These are very easy fish to look after, making them a popular choice for beginners.
These colorful fish produce lots of fry to maintain a stable population, although the frogs might eat some of the babies. Mollies like similar water conditions to African Dwarf frogs and share an omnivorous diet.
Hatchetfish
- Min. Tank size: 20 gallons
- Temperature: 72° to 81°F
- Care level: Easy
- Diet: Omnivore
- Length: 2.5 inches
Hatchetfish are attractive, elegant fish that can do well with African Dwarf frogs. The two species share similar water requirements, although the Hatchetfish prefer a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Aside from that, these fish are easy to care for and quite hardy, and their diet is similar to that of the African Dwarf frogs.
Tank Mates To Avoid
There are several fish species that we would not recommend keeping with African Dwarf frogs.
African Clawed Frogs
Never mix African Clawed frogs with African Dwarf frogs!
Since the two species’ common names are very similar, mixing them up is easy, and some pet stores even mislabel the two frogs.
Unfortunately, these two frog species do not get along. The Clawed frogs grow much more rapidly than the African Dwarf frogs and get much larger. Once that happens, the Clawed frogs will happily make a meal of the smaller, weaker African Dwarf frogs.
Large Fish Species
African dwarf frogs are tiny creatures, so large predatory fish present a danger to the little amphibians.
Large omnivorous and carnivorous fish will often eat any tank mate that fits into their mouths, including your frogs. So, choose fish no larger than three inches long to be on the safe side.
Remember to check the adult size of the fish you’re buying. Many fish you buy in pet stores are juveniles only a few months old and often grow much larger once they reach adulthood.
Aggressive Fish and Fin Nippers
Some species, such as betta fish, can be pretty aggressive even though they are not especially large.
Double-check the temperament of the fish you’re considering adding to your community, and avoid anything aggressive or semi-aggressive. Avoid fin nippers, as they could be tempted to harass the frogs and stress them out.
Stress is potentially fatal for all aquatic species as it compromises the animal’s immune system and leaves it open to attack by parasites and bacteria.
Goldfish
Although Fancy goldfish can look like peaceful, inoffensive creatures, these fish can reach over six inches in length when fully grown and are renowned for eating anything and everything they can fit into their large mouths.
Although your African Dwarf frogs might appear safe, a hungry goldfish would undoubtedly attempt to eat one, so these large, voracious fish are best avoided.
In any case, goldfish prefer a cooler water temperature to that of African Dwarf frogs.
FAQs
In this part of our guide to African Dwarf frog tank mates, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions on the subject.
Do African Dwarf Frogs Eat Snails?
African Dwarf frogs don’t generally try to eat large species of snails. However, very small or baby snails could be at risk of being lunch for your frogs.
How Many African Dwarf Frogs Can I Keep Together?
African Dwarf frogs are gregarious creatures that do best when kept in groups of at least two to five individuals. However, you can keep more frogs if you have a very large tank.
Final Thoughts
Did you enjoy our guide to the most suitable African Dwarf frog tank mates? If you did, please take a moment to share the article.
African Dwarf frogs are cute little creatures that can do well with a wide range of tank mates. Avoid large and aggressive fish that might try to make a meal out of the frogs or attack them. You should also double-check that the fish you want to add to your community share the same water requirements as the African Dwarf frogs.
What tank mates do you have with your African Dwarf frogs? Tell us in the comments box below.
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