Hey aquarists, are you curious if your betta and African dwarf frog can peacefully share a tank together?
African dwarf frogs and bettas can make surprisingly good tank mates, creating a lively and entertaining aquarium. This pairing is often successful, especially if the tank conditions are right and the betta is not overly aggressive.
While the African dwarf frog is peaceful, some individuals can chew on the long fins of male bettas. To ensure both species thrive together, it’s essential to monitor their interactions closely and make adjustments to the tank environment as needed. A betta might become territorial, while the frog will likely stay out of the way, enjoying its time in the water.
Let’s dive into how you can set up the perfect environment so your betta and African dwarf frog can live together peacefully and happily.
Key Information About the African Dwarf Frog
African dwarf frogs are small, peaceful aquatic frogs that typically grow up to 2.5 inches in size, which is quite similar to betta fish. Unlike their larger cousins, the African clawed frogs, which are predators, these frogs are generally not aggressive and can make great companions for other species in the right setup.
To distinguish them from African clawed frogs, you can check their front feet—if they have webbing, it’s a dwarf frog. As these frogs age, the body shape and size difference from larger species become more apparent.
One thing to note about African dwarf frogs is their poor eyesight and slow reaction when it comes to food, which means that when living with fish like bettas, they may struggle to compete for food. It’s important to ensure they are getting enough to eat.
While bettas can be territorial and somewhat aggressive, African dwarf frogs remain small and peaceful, which helps with tank mate compatibility in a well-maintained aquarium. Both species thrive in similar aquarium environments, but careful monitoring is necessary to ensure their needs are met.
African dwarf frogs need to surface to breathe, so it’s important that your tank is no deeper than 16 inches, with an ideal depth of 10–12 inches. If your tank is deeper, you can pile substrate to ensure no area is deeper than 16 inches, and then use hardscaping and plants to provide the frogs with resting places closer to the surface.
This setup helps create a more natural and comfortable environment for the frogs to thrive in.
Can Betta Fish and African Dwarf Frogs Coexist?
Many aquarium enthusiasts wonder whether Betta fish and African Dwarf Frogs (ADF) can live together peacefully. The answer is yes—but only under the right conditions. Bettas are known for their territorial nature, while African Dwarf Frogs are peaceful, bottom-dwelling amphibians. When housed in a properly sized tank with adequate hiding spots and stable water parameters, these two species can coexist without issues. However, betta aggression, feeding challenges, and tank setup play a crucial role in determining their compatibility. This guide will help you understand how to successfully keep a betta and an African Dwarf Frog in the same tank while ensuring a stress-free environment for both.
Do Bettas Attack African Dwarf Frogs?
Betta fish are known for their territorial and sometimes aggressive nature, which raises concerns about whether they will attack African Dwarf Frogs (ADFs). While some bettas can peacefully coexist with frogs, others may see them as intruders or even food, especially if the betta is particularly aggressive. So to prevent Betta attacks on African Dwarf frog choose a betta that is less aggressive and provide ample space to hide in your wonderful aquarium.
Creating the Perfect Habitat and Enrichment
There are lots of great options for decoration and enrichment. Both bettas and dwarf frogs love places near the top to rest on and places to hide, live plants can provide both and will help keep the water clean.
Water Parameters And Tank Size
When setting up a tank for African dwarf frogs and bettas, it’s important to get the water parameters just right. Both species thrive in temperatures between 75°F and 80°F (24°C to 26°C). A pH range of 6.5 to 7.5, ideally close to neutral, is ideal, and adding some tannins can help maintain water quality.
When choosing a tank size, a minimum tank size of 10 gallons is recommended for both species, with a maximum depth of 16 inches to ensure the frogs can easily surface for air. A 20-gallon long tank works perfectly for keeping a betta and a few frogs, and you may even have room for other tank mates.
Pro tip: Avoid using tanks smaller than 5 gallons or deeper than 11 inches, as they may not provide enough space for both animals to be comfortable.
Substrate
For the substrate, it’s best to choose something smooth or soft to avoid discomfort for both your bettas and frogs. Jagged gravel can hurt them or discourage them from resting on the bottom of the tank.
I suggest using inert plant and shrimp substrate, smooth river stones, or sand. If you’re planning to use plants that require heavy root feeding, then plant and shrimp substrates or a Walstad tank setup would be the ideal choices for maintaining a healthy environment for both species.
Hardscaping And Plants
When it comes to hardscaping, adding elements like caves, rocks, and driftwood provides hiding spots in the middle and lower areas of the tank. These structures also give places to rest in the middle and top sections.
I personally love including floating leaves and floating logs, especially for African dwarf frogs, who enjoy laying on them. As for plants, there are many great options—both species will enjoy carpeting plants and moss to lay on and play in.
Anubias, java fern, dwarf water lily, tiger lotus, and betta bulbs are perfect for different underwater levels. Any beginner to intermediate plant from your local fish store will work well for this combination.
The key is to provide plenty of floating plants and enrichment toys.
Filtration and Maintenance
For filtration, a small biological filter is all you need to maintain the nitrogen cycle and prevent the water from becoming stagnant. Any filter will work, as long as it has enough bio-media and flow suited for the tank size.
Don’t forget regular maintenance, like gravel vacuuming, water changes, and cleaning the filter. These steps will ensure both your African dwarf frogs and betta fish stay happy and healthy while keeping your tank looking pristine.
Caring For Your Pets
When keeping betta fish with a tank mate, it’s important to closely observe their behavior. Always monitor betta fish and African dwarf frogs for signs of aggression or stress. Be prepared to act if the betta becomes too territorial or the frogs nibble on its fins.
Feeding
When feeding African dwarf frogs and betta fish, ensure the frogs get enough food without overfeeding. Since frogs are slow eaters with poor eyesight, they require extra care, especially in tanks with fish.Feed the betta first by placing food above it to distract it, and then spot-feed the frogs directly in front of or on top of them. Some use a pipette, aquarium tweezers, or a tank divider if the frogs are not eating enough.
Both species enjoy high-protein diets, and slow-sinking pellets work well for both. Dwarf frogs can also eat fast-sinking pellets, while bettas thrive on floating pellets, making separate feeding easier. Both will eat flake food, and neither are picky eaters.
It’s essential to provide a varied diet with high-quality food.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Keeping Bettas and Frogs Together
Choosing an Aggressive Betta: Not all bettas tolerate tank mates. Opt for a docile, non-aggressive betta and observe their behavior before full introduction.
Small Tank Size: A tank smaller than 5 gallons increases stress and territorial disputes. Ideally, use a 10-gallon or larger tank to provide enough space.
Feeding Issues: Bettas are fast eaters, while ADFs are slow and need food like sinking pellets or bloodworms. Feed the frog separately using tongs or a turkey baster.
Lack of Hiding Spots: Frogs need caves, plants, and decorations to feel secure. Without these, stress levels can increase, leading to health issues.
Ignoring Signs of Aggression or Stress: If you notice constant chasing, nipping, or stress-related behaviors, be prepared to separate them before injuries occur.
By avoiding these mistakes and monitoring their interactions, you can create a peaceful and thriving environment for both your betta and African Dwarf Frog.
Common Illnesses For Betta Fish and Dwarf Frogs
Stress and Illness: Stress in betta fish and African dwarf frogs can cause contagious illnesses. Keep your tank environment healthy with plants, hiding places, Indian almond leaves, and tannins, which help prevent common diseases.
Betta Fin Rot: The most common illness in bettas, especially male bettas, is fin rot. If you see fin damage and no signs of nipping, treat the tank with care. Raise the temperature to 82°F, add 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt per 5 gallons, and include Indian almond leaves to brown the water. This setup often resolves issues within days.
Dropsy in Frogs: African dwarf frogs are prone to dropsy, a highly contagious and often deadly condition. Signs include bloating and loss of appetite. Immediately quarantine affected frogs and treat the rest of the tank to prevent further spread.
Quarantine for Symptoms:
If either bettas or frogs show unusual symptoms, don’t hesitate to quarantine them. Investigate the issue and treat appropriately to ensure the health of all tank inhabitants.
Proactive Tank Care:
Regularly monitor your tank for signs of stress or illness, maintain proper water parameters, and provide enough plants and driftwood for hiding and comfort. These steps create a stress-free environment that reduces the likelihood of diseases.
FAQs
How Many African Dwarf Frogs Can You Keep with a Betta in a 10-Gallon Tank?
A 10-gallon tank is suitable for 1 betta fish and 2–4 African dwarf frogs, depending on the temperament of your betta. When housing dwarf frogs, follow the general rule of 2 gallons of water per frog. For bettas, consider them as equivalent to 1–3 frogs in terms of space requirements, depending on their temperament and how well your tank is set up. Proper space allocation ensures a peaceful and stress-free environment for all inhabitants.
What should I do if my African dwarf frog and betta don’t get along?
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, bettas and African dwarf frogs may not coexist peacefully. If you notice any signs of injury, illness, or excessive fighting, it’s essential to separate the animals immediately. Consider moving the betta fish to a quarantine tank while you work on a permanent solution, or use a tank divider to keep them apart within the same tank. Prioritizing their health and safety ensures a stress-free environment for all your pets.
How many gallons does 1 African dwarf frog need?
An African dwarf frog tank should have 4-8 liters (1-2 gallons) of water per frog, ensuring enough space to swim and maintain clean, balanced water conditions. Too little water can lead to rapid contamination and stress for the frogs.
Do African dwarf frogs prefer sand or gravel?
African dwarf frogs, also called dwarf clawed frogs, require at least 2 gallons of water per frog to thrive. The aquarium bottom should be covered with gravel that is large enough to prevent the frogs from accidentally swallowing it while foraging for food. This setup ensures their safety and comfort.
Conclusion
African Dwarf frogs (Hymenochirus boettgeri) can be good tank mates for bettas, but careful observation is crucial, especially early on. An aggressive betta might bully the frogs, so taking precautions and monitoring their relationship ensures a peaceful environment.
