You’re building a new aquarium, and your “must have choice” is a couple of African Dwarf Frogs. However, you also want to introduce other aquatic creatures as well. You think this will make the aquarium visually pleasant. But, you’ve come across a big concern. Can your first choice peacefully live with its other tank mates?
Well, not every aquatic creature can coexist with African Dwarf Frogs. These amphibians are very social and get along with a lot of other fish, snails and other freshwater creatures. However, they also feed on a variety of these animals, and a few of them also prey upon them. So you need to know exactly which animals they will get along with easily.
In this article, I’ll introduce a bunch of potential tank mates for the African Dwarf Frogs. Let’s get into it.
Best Tank Mates: Species That Can Be With An African Dwarf Frog
Since these frogs are social and peaceful animals, other similar-sized friendly fish and snails are excellent choices. Let’s have a look at which animals exactly qualify.
Nerite Snail and Mystery Snail
Nerite snails are wondrous snails that sport a colorful body and unique patterns. Although these snails can live in freshwater, they cannot breed here. Therefore, your frogs won’t hunt for their eggs. They are also peaceful and have a similar size to the frogs.
Mystery snails are visually very pretty. The most common colors they sport are black and gold. These snails are able to mate and breed in freshwater. That’s why my advice is to house a single mystery snail.
A great thing about these snails is that they will eat away any algae and leftovers. This will take part in keeping your aquarium clean.
Guppy
Guppy is a great choice for aquarium fish that is easily available in almost every fish store. They also have a wide variety in their body hues. They can be easily mixed together as they are just big enough that your frogs can’t eat them.
If you have males and females, they will eventually breed. Your frogs will eat away the fry. If you want to avoid this, you can have only males in the tank.
Endler
Endlers are related to guppies and are pretty similar to them in terms of appearance. These fish are even more colorful and are also very peaceful.
Rummy Nose Tetra
Rummy Nose Tetras have black-white stripes on the tail and a red colored head. They also require a group to live peacefully. They make an outstanding appearance in any aquarium.
Black Skirt Tetra
This fish is a silver-bodied fish with black stripes. They also love schooling and are extremely calm by nature. If you have plants or dark hiding spots in your aquarium, they will often be hiding there.
Cardinal Tetra
The Cardinal Tetra is a fish that has red and blue lines on its body. They are quite akin to neon tetras, but they are usually larger by a tiny margin.
Neon Tetra
Neon Tetra are tiny and slim fish that sport a blue stripe across their bodies. They are an extremely popular choice and love living as a group. This schooling fish is also very calm.
Danio
Danios are very active fish that constantly swim from one end of the aquarium to the other. Amongst many different variants, Zebra Danio and Celestial Pearl Danio are pretty popular. Zebra Danios have blue and gold zebra stripes across their bodies. Pearl Danio has a dark blue dorso with yellow spots, and red-colored fins and underbelly.
Honey Gourami
Honey Gourami are generally peaceful, however, they can become hostile towards males of the same species. They see them as competition, so you should keep only one per aquarium. These fish love being surrounded by plants.
Cherry Barb
This fish has a large body with their fins being quite small. They are colorful and are schooling fish that need other companions of the same species. These fish will be at their best in an aquarium that has lots of live plants.
Platy
Platy is a species of schooling fish. They are quite peaceful. However, they are rapid at eating away any food. Despite this, they can coexist quite well with the African Dwarfs. You should keep a bunch of them, as they gather and swirl like a tornado. They also have a variety of body colors.
Hatchetfish
This fish lives deep underwater that has a unique body that looks quite similar to a hatchet. They often like to jump out of water. This is a fish that is quite shy and can get startled easily by movement.
Rainbowfish
Also known as Praecox Rainbowfish, these are small fish with silver scales with blue sheen. Their fins are red. They are peaceful, and you need to have a decently sized group in your aquarium.
Which tank mates for African Dwarf Frogs should you avoid?
People often house African Dwarf Frogs with African Clawed Frogs. These two also often get mixed up with each other since they have a very similar name. This is something you absolutely need to avoid. The clawed frogs have an exponentially better growth rate than the dwarf frogs. Because of this, the clawed will outgrow the dwarfs and then proceed to devour them.
Also keep in mind to not house fish that are larger than the frogs. Fish have a natural instinct to eat anything their mouth can fit in. Even if these fish cannot swallow the frogs in one go, they will keep nicking away at them, which can result in fatal injuries for the poor amphibians.
Most people keep Betta with the frogs in the same aquarium. I strongly recommend not doing so. This fish is a competitive eater. They just can’t stop eating, no matter how full they are, and they will eat away your frog’s feed.
Some hobbyists also love to have shrimp in their tanks. This can also turn into a disaster, this time for the poor arthropods. These frogs are omnivorous and love dieting on shrimp, as they pack a lot of protein.
I would also advise against getting any goldfish. I know they are beautiful and another very popular choice for aquariums. However, they grow large pretty fast and will start chipping your frogs away.
Read More: Can African Dwarf Frogs Live with Turtles?
Crucial Considerations for Cohabitation
When planning to introduce new tank mates to your African Dwarf Frogs’ environment, it’s essential to be mindful of certain factors. Firstly, aim for all tank inhabitants to be of comparable size. Housing animals with significant size differences can lead to conflicts and aggression.
Furthermore, ensure that the potential tank mate has a “non-aggressive” temperament. Introducing aggressive fish or other creatures can result in unwanted skirmishes within the tank.
By taking these precautions, you can foster a harmonious and safe environment for all of your aquatic pets.
Can African Dwarf Frogs live alone?
African Dwarf Frogs are social creatures that thrive in the company of a companion. To ensure their well-being, it’s vital to house them in pairs, as isolation can lead to stress and poor health.
These frogs exhibit a peaceful demeanor towards their counterparts, regardless of gender. They coexist harmoniously, whether in male-female, male-male, or female-female pairings. Competition for food is minimal, as long as they are provided with sufficient nourishment.
Introducing a well-matched partner to your frog’s environment will result in increased activity and overall happiness. The lively interactions within the aquarium will bring joy and visual interest to your aquatic display. Just remember to maintain enough space for all of your aquatic pets to live comfortably.
How to feed African Dwarf Frogs in a community tank?
As you curate the ideal community tank for your African Dwarf Frogs and their aquatic companions, proper feeding techniques are essential for maintaining a healthy and harmonious environment. To cater to the unique dietary needs of all your aquatic pets, consider the following tips and suggestions:
- Research dietary requirements: Before introducing new tank mates, research their specific dietary needs to ensure compatibility and a well-balanced menu for all inhabitants.
- Stagger feeding times: Schedule feeding times for the various species in your tank according to their habits and preferences. Some species might be more active during the day, while others may be nocturnal.
- Use appropriate food types: Offer a variety of high-quality food sources tailored to each species. For fish, consider providing fish flakes, pellets, or frozen food. For African Dwarf Frogs, opt for heavier protein sources like shrimp, worms, and specially formulated frog pellets.
- Monitor consumption: Observe your tank inhabitants during feeding times to ensure all animals have access to food and are eating enough. Keep an eye out for overfeeding or underfeeding, as both can lead to health issues.
- Avoid overfeeding: Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality, obesity, and other health problems for your aquatic pets. Measure food portions and remove uneaten food from the tank after a reasonable amount of time to prevent these issues.
- Supplement diet: If necessary, supplement the diet of certain species with additional vitamins or minerals to ensure optimal health.
By taking these factors into account and tailoring your feeding practices to the needs of your tank’s inhabitants, you can create a thriving and well-nourished aquatic community. Remember to keep monitoring your pets’ health and consult a specialist if you encounter any issues or have concerns about their well-being.
Finishing Up
I hope this article has helped you in choosing different mates to house with your pet African Dwarfs and you have had success in creating a beautiful, colorful aquarium. Now that you know more about potential tank mates for your frogs, why not learn some more about African Dwarf Frog tank setup as well as how to take care of their eggs and tadpoles. You’re just a few clicks away!
