Many pet owners around the globe are interested in combining the African dwarf frog and the bettas. You’re definitely one of those people that are interested, I can tell. The question that has you confused is whether or not you should mix them. You’re debating whether you’ll really be able to get your money’s worth out of it. Yes, I’m here to reassure you; they’ll be wonderful tankmates. A perfect match indeed!
However, there are certain requirements that must be fulfilled for their joy and contentment to be assured. If you’re feeling confused right now, don’t worry; this article will answer all your fiery queries.
Can African Dwarf Frog Live With Bettas
Usually, Bettas and African Dwarf Frogs make really great teammates. But sometimes it may be challenging. By nature, they are quite docile pets. They try to keep them round their own lanes. But regarding Betta fish, they are somewhat aggressive. They can make good tank mates with the African Dwarf Frog but it takes some time.
Putting an African Dwarf Frog into an aquarium with the betta fish might be somehow risky. Betta fishes may likely show signs of territorial behavior when dwarf frogs are introduced to their environment. But in course of time, they get along and become good tank mates.
Why African Dwarf Frogs Not Others?
Clearly, the answer is that the African Dwarf Frogs can perfectly cohabit with the betta fishes than other species. They hardly create any type of chaos and tend to stay on their own.
Another fact is that they are partially blind. So they hardly get into conflict with their mates, especially with regard to betta fish.
Aggression Between African Dwarf Frog and Betta Fish
African dwarf frogs and Betta fish hardly ever fight. It is mostly because of the docile attitude that the African Dwarf Frogs belong to. You now already know that they are partially blind which makes them calm enough to avoid such aggression.
But as to Betta fishes, they are different from the dwarf frogs. They always remain alert. If they perceive any type of threat or feel that their territory is being intruded upon, they can show some aggression towards their mates.
If they don’t get annoyed they usually don’t get into conflict with their mates. Males show more aggression than females. So if you get concerned about the male betta fishes, you can consider females. Maybe they will get along well with the African Dwarf frogs.
Know If Your Betta Is Going To Be Aggressive Or Not!
Knowing how your betta behaves with other fish is the greatest way to predict how aggressive he will be. There is a strong probability he will accept your African dwarf frogs if you have previously had fish in your aquarium and he has tolerated them.
Another option would be to set up the tank with the dwarf frogs first and then add your bettas afterward. By doing this, he will be less likely to claim the whole tank as his own and may choose a smaller area.
Keep in mind that you can’t be certain with your betta fish. They may not get along though they had a good history with other tank mates. In fact, they like to be alone.
What If Bettas Don’t Get Along With The African Dwarf Frog?
Although the African tree frogs and the betta fishes make great tank mates but sometimes they might not get along. So, if they get in conflict, you should not worry. Some simple steps might help you.
- If you suspect your betta is to blame, you may relocate him to a different tank. In this way, both of them will get relief. This might function as a temporary residence if you have access to a quarantine tank.
- The second option you can try out by putting a tank divider. It will work well if your tank is more than 10 gallons. It will then provide enough room for their accommodation. If this works, it will save you from buying a whole new tank.
- In a worst-case scenario, you may give the frogs back to the store from whom you purchased them.
Feeding African Dwarf Frogs With Bettas
The only time you’re likely to encounter an aggressive African dwarf frog is during feeding time. Make sure no fish are snacking on your African dwarf frog’s food when you feed it. If this occurs, the fish might become dangerously aggressive and attempt to attack anything that comes near them, even bettas. The main issue is that they are usually slow eaters.
Most bettas won’t consume food from the end of the tank due to their upturned lips. But if you see them doing this, there are steps you can do to ensure your frog stays well-fed.
The best strategy is to use a net to capture the betta and hold it there until the food drops to the end of the tank. If you do this, your betta will have far less interest in the food.
You may also try feeding your frogs and bettas separately by sprinkling sinking food at the bottom of the tank and floating food on the other end. This will keep your betta preoccupied enough to avoid the frog’s food.
Can African Dwarf Frogs Eat Betta Food?
Yes, African Dwarf Frogs can eat Betta food. Even the interesting fact here is that more or less both of them share a similar diet.
Their primary diet includes:
- Frozen Blackworms
- Live Bloodworms
- Frozen Mysis
- Pellets
- Brine Shrimp
- Live Daphnia
- Live Scud
Temperature and pH Differences Between Bettas and African Dwarf Frogs
The most important things to consider while combining your Bettas and African Dwarf frogs is their pH and temperature. Make sure whether both will cohabit in common pH or temperature or not.
They both prefer a pH level of around 7. But in regard to temperature, there is a slight difference. African Dwarf Frogs usually prefer temperatures around 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit whereas Bettas need temperatures around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. So, you have to meet your tank requirements accordingly.
Bettas And African Dwarf Frogs Health
African Dwarf Frog and Bettas glamorize your tank when combined together. You can spend hours watching them playing around. But one thing you have to ensure is their health.
Both bettas and the dwarf frog can make a great pair but sometimes they may make you worry especially when they get ill. There are some common illnesses that can get your pet sick. Most of them are contagious. They may suffer from stress. So you have to take well care of them and be aware of any signs of discomfort or stress.
How To Ensure Betta’s Health
Betta Fishes are usually very active. You can ensure their health by observing their appearance and overall activity. They are usually bright in color with full-grown fins without any sign of tearing. There is no fuzziness or unusual discoloration in the coloring of their scales, bellies as well as gills. They hold a strong appetite.
You need to be concerned when they get inactive or have a lack of appetite. When a betta fish is sick, it might lose its color, become lethargic and aloof, and show other signs of distress. Other signs also include stress stripes and torn fins. Sometimes they can suffer from enough aeration. A shortage of oxygen in the water can cause your betta to surface begging for air.
Unhealthy bettas suffer from fin rot. This is one of the most prevalent diseases among bettas. If you see any injury to their fin and are sure nothing is gnawing on it, it would be better to treat the whole tank and your betta well enough. Among the bettas, this type of disease is more common in males than females.
There are a number of additional diseases that may affect a betta fish, so be on the alert for any unusual behavior. If you observe any, take them to another betta tank setting the temperature to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Then add 1 tsp/5 gallon of water with an adequate amount of almond leaves. It will turn the water of the tank brown. Hope it will cure most of the illness. it may take some days to fix.
How To Ensure African Dwarf Frog’s Health
You also need to take good care of your African Dwarf Frog. They are also vulnerable to diseases and stress. They usually are non-venomous. But their feces and skin do contain harmful bacteria.
Salmonella is the most frequent human-harming frog bacterium. This is why you should never handle your frog directly; instead, use gloves, and don’t forget to clean your hand thoroughly after handling.
Avoid using anything with sharp edges, including substrate and decorations. All filter openings that might trap frogs must be secured. Before adding them to your bettas tank, make sure to isolate them for at least 7 days beforehand. This will allow you to check for any symptoms of illness in the frogs and keep them healthy.
Providing the correct atmosphere and high-quality water is essential for the well-being of your African Dwarf frogs. However, before purchasing any frogs, it is important to be aware of a few common problems they may experience. Among them dropsy and fungal-bacterial infections are deadly.
The dropsy that affects dwarf frogs is very infectious and sometimes fatal. A frog suffering from dropsy will show symptoms like swelling, fatigue, and lack of appetite. If you have an African dwarf frog and you discover he is bloated and uninterested in eating, you should treat him well and put him in quarantine as soon as possible.
They are vulnerable to a particularly severe fungus known as Chytridiomycosis. It causes fuzzy spots to appear on the skin of infected frogs. Chytridiomycosis won’t hurt your betta, but it’s very infectious.
It’s probable that your frogs have caught a bacterial infection if you see any of the following symptoms in them: red spots on their skin, lethargy, lack of appetite, or red eyes. In most cases, veterinarians prescribe antibiotics suitable for their health.
Frequently asked question
Can Dwarf Frogs And Bettas Cohabit With Other Fish?
If you have a large tank, you may breed other fishes (make sure they are calm and peaceful) alongside dwarf frogs and bettas. Neon or ember tetras and harlequin rasbora are excellent tank mates. Kuhli loaches, shrimp, pygmy corydoras and snails are additional options.
What Is The Maximum Number Of African Dwarf Frogs That Can Coexist With A Betta Fish?
The number of frogs that can cohabit with your betta fish depends on the tank size. You have to ensure enough space both for the frogs and the betta fish.
You should know that an African Dwarf frog requires a minimum of three gallons of tank space per frog. If you want to keep both betta fish and multiple frogs in the same tank, you need a minimum of a 10-gallon tank.
Conclusion
When choosing a tank mate for your betta fish, African dwarf frogs are often a good choice. What you need to make sure of is they are getting enough space to roam around, hide or relax. On top of that, a healthy diet can make them cheerful all the time.
