10 African Dwarf Frog Tank Mates

The African Dwarf Frog is a fun pet to have. They’re energetic, easy to care for, and they do well with other tank mates. In fact, this little frog is so friendly and peaceful that it even gets along with different species! You can house it together with other frogs, or even with some equally peaceful fish and other critters.

But you’ll have to consider a few factors when choosing some unique tank mates for your dwarf frogs. First, like other aquatic species, the African dwarf frog has specific water parameters. These include 72-82 °F temperature, 6.5-7.8 pH, and 5-20 dGH. Besides that, you’ll also have to consider species size, tank space, personality, and diet.

The tank mates you choose must be similar or at least compatible in all of these aspects. Dwarf frogs grow up to 2-3 inches at most. You’ll need around 5 gallons of water for each frog and additional space for each new tank mate. In the aquarium, they spend most of their time at the bottom where they camouflage into the substrate.

These frogs are docile and shy around feisty tank mates, so they’ll need plenty of room to hide. They’re omnivorous but will eat primarily meaty foods and even high-protein fish flakes and pellets. Considering all of these factors, here’s a list of the most compatible tank mates for your frogs:

1. Guppies

Guppies are a cheap, colorful, and low-maintenance addition suitable for any community tank. They’re docile and peaceful. They get along with all other friendly tank mates, frogs included! Just remember that Guppies are on the smaller side. They can measure anywhere between 0.5-2.4 inches.

You’ll have to only select the largest Guppies for an African dwarf frog tank. A fish that’s at least 1.5 inches long is unlikely to get accidentally eaten. Guppies need to be kept in groups of at least 3 fish. They’re very sociable and they need the company of other guppies. But one big advantage of this species is its low space requirements.

You’ll need just 7 gallons of water for 3 Guppies, plus 1 additional gallon for every extra fish. In the tank, Guppies swim freely in all levels of the water column. But they spend most of their time closer to the water surface, where they also feed. Speaking of which, Guppies are omnivorous.

They enjoy the same foods as the dwarf frogs. A combination of high-protein fish flakes, live or frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp, and the occasional algae wafer will keep both Guppies and the frogs happy. As for water parameters, Guppies require 74–82°F temperatures, 6.8–7.6 pH, and 8–12 dGH.

2. Mollies

Mollies are decent-sized fish, growing up to 3.5-4.5 inches! They’re not too small, but not too large either. This makes them perfect tank mates for curious dwarf frogs. Like other livebearers, Mollies are very peaceful and friendly. They get along well with non-aggressive tank mates.

Mollies are also sociable and like swimming in groups of four or more fish. You won’t need a lot of space for them though. For a group of 4, just 10 gallons is enough. For each extra Molly, you’ll need 3 additional gallons worth of aquarium space.

Mollies swim in the top layers of the aquarium, close to the surface. They won’t interact much with bottom-dwelling frogs. However, you should consider adding some tall-growing plants. These provide hiding spaces for the shy Mollies. They might get startled when the frogs dart up to the surface for fresh air.

As for their diet, Mollies are omnivores. They need a balance of algae and other greens, high-quality flakes, and live or frozen foods (bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, etc). They’re very adaptable to various water parameters but thrive in 72–78°F temperatures, 7.5–8.5 pH, and 15–30 dGH.

3. Platies

Platies are easy to find and easy to care for. This 3-inch fish is very hardy and adaptable to various aquarium conditions and tank mates. Platies are also very sociable and active. They like being in groups of 5 or more fish. They spend most of their time darting around and playing.

Due to their sociable nature and high energy levels, they need plenty of room. A wide tank of at least 10 gallons is best for five platies, plus an additional 2 gallons for each extra fish. In a community tank, Platies are docile and peaceful. They don’t get scared easily and might interact with other fish (or frogs) in the tank.

They love exploring, chasing, and hiding among tank decorations. However, they spend most of their time in the middle and top layers of the tank. If they do meet the dwarf frogs in the aquarium, there shouldn’t be an issue. These two pets are roughly the same size, after all.

Besides size and temperament, they have one more thing in common. They enjoy the same omnivore diet. Platies require a mix of flakes, pellets, veggies, as well as live and frozen foods. The water parameters should be 70–77°F, 6.8–8.0 pH, and 10–28 dGH.

4. Bamboo Shrimp

You don’t have to stick to fish or amphibians only! Your African dwarf frogs can also live peacefully alongside Bamboo shrimp. This might sound a bit weird, but it’s true! Bamboo shrimp make excellent additions to most community tanks. They’re also very easy to keep and they even maintain the water clean! Win-win!

This species grows up to 2-3 inches long, so it’s roughly the same size as a fully-grown dwarf frog. But keep in mind this little guy needs as much space as it can get. Bamboo shrimp spend a lot of time crawling around and exploring. Their feeding is also largely dependent on the amount of space they have in the tank.

You should have 10-20 gallons worth of aquarium space for each shrimp in the tank. Personality-wise, this crustacean is sweet, peaceful, and inoffensive. They spend most of their time searching for food and seldom interact with other members in the tank. If there’s trouble in the aquarium, the Bamboo shrimp would be the last suspect.

And here comes the good part! Bamboo shrimp are omnivorous filter feeders. They don’t even need any specially-prepared meal. They will just filter the leftovers floating around in the water column. Anything left after feeding your fish and frogs, the Bamboo shrimp will take care of it.

Of course, this shrimp species also has compatible water parameters. They’re quite hardy and they enjoy high temperatures, much like African dwarf frogs. You’ll need to maintain a 75-81°F temperature, 7.0-7.5 pH, and up to 10 dGH.

5. Amano Shrimp

Here you have yet another peaceful shrimp species to add to your community tank! Amano shrimp are extremely popular due to their mild temperaments and ease of care. They’re also interesting-looking thanks to their unique translucent bodies. Personality-wise, Amano shrimp are calm and mellow.

Like other shrimp species, they show little interest in other pets in the aquarium. Instead, they spend most of their time searching for food on the substrate. Given their peaceful nature, Amanos make great tank mates for other peaceful pets including other shrimp, fish, snails, and frogs. Amano shrimp grow up to 2 inches.

A pretty good size for a dwarf frog tank mate. They also don’t need a lot of space. You need just 2 gallons worth of aquarium space for one single shrimp. Ideally, though, they should be kept in aquariums at least 10 gallons or larger. Like other shrimp, Amanos are scavengers.

They eat any litter left in the tank, including dead plant matter, veggies, frozen or fresh foods, flakes, pellets, algae, and even dead fish. Most of their diet should consist of algae though. If you don’t have a lot of algae growth in your tank, you should add some algae wafers to their diet.

Amano shrimp are adaptable to a slightly broader range of water parameters, including 70-80°F temperatures, and 6.0-7.0 pH. They aren’t as hardy as other pets on the list though. This species only thrives in soft water, roughly 6-8 dGH.

6. Nerite Snails

If you don’t have a lot of extra space, Nerite snails are the best option for a community tank. These little snails grow up to 1 inch at most and require no more than 5 gallons each. They’re very small, but they spend most of their time lying around with their carapace facing up. It’s unlikely that dwarf frogs will mistake them for food.

Nerite snails are excellent for community tanks for a variety of reasons. First of all, these critters are extremely mellow and peaceful. They’re rarely active and they never interact with other fish, snails, or frogs in the tank. They spend most of their time moving around very slowly in search of food. This brings me to the next reason why I highly recommend adopting this species…

Nerite snails are strictly herbivorous. They live off of the algae growing in the tank. So, they bother nobody, and they also keep the tank crystal clear. They’re like live miniature aquarium vacuums. Note that if there aren’t enough algae in the tank, you’ll have to substitute them. Throwing some algae wafers in will provide the snails with roughly the same nutrition they’d get from fresh algae.

Finally, Nerite snails are very easy to care for. They’re great for beginners and experienced aquarists alike. Once you get them accustomed to the new tank, there’s very little upkeep needed. Just make sure to keep an eye on the water parameters. For this species, the ideal ranges include 72-78°F temperature, 8.0-8.4 pH, and 6-12 dGH.

7. Neon Tetras

Neon Tetras are hardy, easy to care for, and widely available. They make a good pet for beginners and experienced fishkeepers alike. This species grows up to 1.5 inches, so they’re about the right size for an African dwarf frog tank mate. Their modest size makes them suitable for smaller aquariums as well.

This sociable fish must be kept in groups of 5 or more fish. But 10 gallons worth of tank space is enough to house 5 Tetras without issue. You’ll need 1-2 additional gallons for each extra fish. In the community tank, Neon Tetras are docile and peaceful with other similar-sized species. They’re also highly sociable with other Tetras and you’ll often see them swimming around in schools.

These are active fish with lots of energy. Throughout the day, they play and dart around in the middle levels of the aquarium. They’re like tiny balls of vigor, but they rarely venture down to the bottom of the tank. As a result, they won’t bother the dwarf frogs.

When it comes to feeding, Neon Tetras enjoy a wide variety of plants and meaty foods. As long as you provide them with a variety of live and frozen foods, flakes, pellets, and greens, the fish will be healthy and satisfied. Their ideal water parameters don’t differ much from those of African dwarf frogs. You’ll have to maintain a 70–81°F temperature, 6.0–7.0 pH, and 2–10 dGH.

8. Corydoras

Cory Catfish, or Corydoras, will add an interesting touch to a community aquarium. This fish’s interesting body shape and mouth whiskers make for a both cute and whimsical appearance. Corydoras are also a little larger than other fish on the list. They can grow up to 4 inches long, which makes them safe around peckish African dwarf frogs.

This highly sociable fish feels most safe in groups of at least six. Due to this fact and their slightly larger size, you’ll need at least 20 gallons for one group of Corys. If you have this much spare space in the aquarium, adding some Corys is well worth it. This bottom-dwelling fish is extremely calm and peaceful around other members of its species, as well as other fish species, and yes, even frogs!

They never harass other tank mates and prefer keeping to themselves. Corys spend most of the day hiding, lying around, or slowly swimming at the bottom of the tank. They become more active later during the day when they start shoaling and looking for food. Like other bottom-dwelling fish, Corys feed by scavenging for leftovers throughout the substrate.

It’s fun watching them bury their faces and pushing around the gravel. As for their preferred foods, anything goes. This fish will eat a combination of sinking pellets, algae wafers, frozen food, veggies, and leftovers from other fish. The water parameters for the Cory Catfish include 70–78°F temperature, 5.5–7.0 pH, and 5–10 dGH.

9. Dwarf Gourami

If you’re looking for more colorful fish, this species is right for you. Dwarf Gouramis come in a variety of bright colors and interesting patterns. But it’s not just their beauty that makes them popular in community aquariums. They’re also hardy, low maintenance, and highly compatible with other species!

Dwarf Gouramis are super peaceful, mellow, and even shy. They aren’t usually territorial and are some of the least troublesome fish in the aquarium. When around other tank mates, they’re quite timid and tend to keep to themselves. They spend most of their time swimming slowly in the middle and top levels of the tank. They also hide often, whether for fun or due to intimidating tank mates.

Their decent size is another big bonus. This species grows up to 4.5 inches on average. They’re big enough to be safe around their little frog tank mates. But they’re not so big that you’ll need to upgrade to a giant tank. In fact, you can fit 2-3 Gouramis in just a 10-gallon tank. But you’ll need 5 extra gallons for each additional fish.

Their dietary needs aren’t difficult to meet. Dwarf Gouramis are omnivorous and they have a healthy appetite. They’ll chomp down on anything you offer them, from live feed to fish flakes and even veggies. As with any other omnivorous species, I recommend rotating between different foods.

Keep their diet varied and fun, and your fish will be healthy and colorful. And let’s not forget the water parameters! Dwarf Gouramis thrive in 77–78.5°F temperature water with a pH of 6.0–8.0. The water hardness can range quite a lot, between 10–20 dGH.

10. Zebra Danios

Last but not least, you’ve got the Zebra Danio. It’s a unique-looking fish that has perfectly straight horizontal stripes! You can even find genetically-engineered Zebrafish that glow in the dark! Check my article on GloFish for more information about cool fluorescent fish. But back to the topic at hand!

Zebra Danios are perfect as an African dwarf frog tank mate. They’re sociable, playful, peaceful, and very energetic. This shoaling species loves being part of a big group. They generally keep to themselves and spend most of their time playing with other Danios. They certainly aren’t known to cause trouble in the aquarium.

They also occupy the middle and top levels of the tank, away from bottom-dwelling fish and frogs. They grow up to 2.5 inches so they’re similar in size to African dwarf frogs. And luckily, they don’t require a lot of space. You can house a group of 5 Danios in a 10-gallon aquarium. You’ll need just 2 extra gallons for each additional fish.

Like most fish species, Zebra Danios are omnivorous. They love meaty foods like insect larvae, worms, and small crustaceans. But they also need algae and other greens in their diet. You can feed them virtually anything, as long as you manage to keep their diet varied and balanced.

Fish flakes, live foods, frozen foods, cooked vegetables, and algae wafers should all make an appearance on their menu. This species’ water parameters include 64–77°F temperature, 6.8–8.0 pH, and 5–19 dGH.

Conclusion

African dwarf frogs are fun pets and they’re very easy to care for. Their friendly and peaceful disposition also makes them highly compatible in a community tank. So, if you want to keep them together with other tank mates, you definitely can!

You just have to look for species with similar requirements, personalities, and body sizes. Luckily, the list of possible tank mates is practically endless. You can choose between other frogs, shrimp, snails, and a lot of colorful fish. Keep in mind that this is in no way an exhaustive list.

These are just some of the best matches that are also easy to find and care for. The species I’ve included in this article are suitable for beginner and experienced aquarists alike. But if you have other tank mate suggestions, drop them down in the comments!