African dwarf frog care guide
Also called: ADF, Dwarf African frog, Dwarf clawed frog, Zaire dwarf clawed frog, Congo dwarf clawed frog
The African dwarf frog is a small, fully aquatic frog about 1.5 in (3.5 cm) long that swims up to breathe air. Keep two or more in a shallow, covered, heated tank and feed them sinking frozen foods directly, because fish easily beat them to the food.
African dwarf frogs need a tank of at least 10 gallons (38 L), a group of 2 or more, and water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) with a pH of 6.5–7.5. They grow to about 3.5 cm (1.4 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with African dwarf frogsSee all tank mates
African dwarf frog quick facts
| Scientific name | Hymenochirus boettgeri |
|---|---|
| Family | Pipidae |
| Origin | Still, shaded rainforest pools and slow streams of west-central Africa, from Nigeria and Cameroon to the Congo basin (shop frogs are farm-bred) |
| Adult size | 3.5 cm (1.4 in) |
| Minimum tank | 10 gallons (38 L) |
| Temperature | 22–26°C (72–79°F) |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–15 dGH |
| Group size | 2 or more (group) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Care level | Easy |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | Mostly (eats baby shrimp) |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
Tank setup
A 10-gallon (38 L) tank suits two or three frogs. Keep the water fairly shallow, around 12 in (30 cm), so they can reach the surface easily. Leave no gaps in the lid, because they can climb out and dry out fast. Add caves, plants and floating plants to rest under, and use a gentle filter whose intake can't trap them.
How many African dwarf frogs in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits African dwarf frogs is a 10 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | African dwarf frogs (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | 2–13 |
| 15 gallon | 2–20 |
| 20 gallon | 2–27 |
| 20 gallon long | 2–27 |
| 29 gallon | 2–40 |
| 40 gallon | 2–55 |
| 55 gallon | 2–76 |
| 75 gallon | 2–104 |
| 125 gallon | 2–173 |
What you need for African dwarf frogs
Sized for a 10 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 2 African dwarf frogs. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 10 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 50 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 75 °F (24 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 40–60 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 25 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 20 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for African dwarf frogs
- Sinking pellets or wafers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bottom feeders need food that reaches the floor.
- Freeze-dried bloodworms or brine shrimp (opens Amazon in a new tab)A treat that carnivores and insect eaters love. Feed it a few times a week.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 10 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)African dwarf frog can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
Keep them at 22–26 °C (72–79 °F) with a heater, pH 6.5–7.5 and moderate hardness. Ammonia and nitrite must stay at zero, so add them only to a cycled tank and change about 20–25% of the water weekly. Take care with fish medicines, since frogs are more sensitive to them than most fish.
Best tank mates for African dwarf frogs
These popular species share African dwarf frogs' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 91 good matches.
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Neon tetra
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Panda corydoras
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Avoid keeping African dwarf frogs with
- Angelfish: Angelfish can eat African dwarf frogs.
- Common goldfish: Common goldfish can eat African dwarf frogs.
- Oscar: Oscar can eat African dwarf frogs.
- Bala shark: Bala shark can eat African dwarf frogs.
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful African dwarf frogs.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid can eat African dwarf frogs.
Feeding
They are carnivores that find food mostly by smell and touch. Feed thawed frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp, or live blackworms, about every other day for adults and daily for young frogs. Drop food in the same spot, or use tongs or a small dish, so they find it before the fish do. Flakes float out of reach and suit them poorly.
Behavior
Peaceful, social frogs that spend their time on the bottom, resting on plants or floating at the surface with legs spread. They have poor eyesight and move slowly, so quick fish often steal their food. Good companions are small, calm fish too big for a frog to swallow. Avoid any fish large enough to eat them, and don't confuse them with African clawed frogs, which grow big and eat fish.
Breeding
Males are slimmer and have a small pale gland behind each front leg, while females are larger and rounder. Pairs embrace for hours, often overnight, and scatter many tiny eggs that float and stick to plants. Adults and fish eat the eggs, so move them to a separate container, where they hatch within a few days. The tadpoles need very fine live food and are hard to raise.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Check the front feet before buying. Dwarf frogs have webbed front feet, while African clawed frogs have separate fingers and grow much larger.
- Wash your hands after touching the frogs or tank water. Like other amphibians they can carry Salmonella, so they suit homes without children under 5.
- Never empty or clean the tank in a kitchen sink.
- Clear shed skin in the water is normal. Frogs shed often and usually eat it.
- Avoid handling them. They are delicate and can't survive long out of water.
Frequently asked questions
How many African dwarf frogs should be kept together?
At least two, since they are social. A 10-gallon (38 L) tank fits two or three, and a larger group or added fish needs more room.
Can African dwarf frogs live with fish?
Yes, with small, peaceful fish that are too big to be eaten and too gentle to bully them. Feed the frogs directly, because fish often take all the food.
Why does my African dwarf frog float at the surface without moving?
Floating still with legs spread is normal resting and breathing. A frog that looks swollen or can't swim down needs a water test and advice from a vet who treats amphibians.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.