African dwarf frog
Hymenochirus boettgeri
A small, fully aquatic frog of up to 2 inches that can share a tank with peaceful fish, as long as it is target-fed.
Key facts
- Body length
- 2 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 7 gallons
- Group
- 2+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp, sinking frog pellets
- Origin
- Equatorial Africa
- Hardier than38%
- Bigger than29%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
African dwarf frog tank mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bronze coryGets along in shared water.Good mates
- DiscusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Dwarf gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fairy cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Peacock cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Pearl gouramiGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Neon tetraAfrican dwarf frog eats small fish: Neon tetra (очень мелкие рыбы и мальки).Risky
- Harlequin rasboraAfrican dwarf frog eats small fish: Harlequin rasbora (очень мелкие рыбы и мальки).Risky
- Fancy guppyAfrican dwarf frog eats small fish: Fancy guppy (очень мелкие рыбы и мальки).Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish can eat young or small African dwarf frog; adults are big enough to be safe.Risky
- Tiger barbAfrican dwarf frog eats small fish: Tiger barb (очень мелкие рыбы и мальки).Risky
- Amano shrimpAmano shrimp outcompetes the slow-eating African dwarf frog for food; target-feed to make sure it eats.Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat African dwarf frog: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat African dwarf frog: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat African dwarf frog: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat African dwarf frog: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat African dwarf frog: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- Jewel cichlidJewel cichlid can eat African dwarf frog: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for African dwarf frogs: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 5 cm (SVL)
- Adult mass
- 0.75 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 0.88 BU
- Min. water
- 20 L net
- Group
- 2+ (best 4)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- amphibian, normal fins
- Diet type
- carnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper, nitrate
Sources: protocols.io: Housing and care for Hymenochirus boettgeri · Pipidae.org: tank setup · Fishkeeper: African dwarf frog
Care notes
African dwarf frogs come from equatorial Africa and breathe air at the surface. They feed slowly and almost blindly, so fish often get to the food first.
A small group needs a 5-gallon tank or more with a tight lid, since they dry out quickly outside water. They are often confused with young clawed frogs, which grow fast and eat their tank mates.
Questions
What size tank does a african dwarf frog need?
At least 7 gallons (20 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 2 inches without fins.
How many African dwarf frogs should be kept together?
Keep at least 2, ideally 4 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do African dwarf frogs need?
75–77 °F, pH 6.6–7.8 and 4–20 dGH. African dwarf frogs come from Equatorial Africa.
How long do African dwarf frogs live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with African dwarf frogs?
Good tank mates include Panda corydoras, Otocinclus, Cherry shrimp, Betta and Blood parrot cichlid. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.