African Clawed Frog Tank Mates: What Are The Best Tank Mates & How to Pick One?

You are thinking right; keeping your pet frog with its colony mates rather than living alone could be a better idea. But choosing proper tank mates for frogs like the African Clawed one is crucial for creating a harmonious and thriving aquatic environment.

Then, what are some suitable African clawed frog tank mates out there? There are many available options, but a few can make the aquarium ecosystem more diverse while engaging with your frog. Some of the top fish tank mates are:

• White Minnows
• Fancy Guppy
• Ghost Shrimp
• Zebra Danios
• Cardinal Tetra

Not only these but more tank mates are compatible with African clawed frogs while maintaining a peaceful environment. Read on to learn more.

Top 8 African Clawed Frog Tank Mates

African clawed frogs are social amphibians that enjoy the company of their own kind or compatible tank mates. Here are 8 suitable Albino African clawed frog tank mates:

1. White Cloud Mountain Minnows (Tanichthys Albonubes): 

Size: 2 inches

Temperament: Peaceful

pH level: 6.5 to 7.5

Suitable temperature: 65° to 75°F

Needed care: Easy

These tiny, peaceful fish add a splash of color and movement to the tank while remaining non-threatening to the frogs. White cloud mountain minnows are native to mountain streams in Southeast Asia.

Male mountain minnows are gray or silver with vertical white stripes, and females are tan or olive. Their small size makes them suitable for smaller tanks (10 gallons or larger). 

Plus, their gentle nature ensures peaceful coexistence with your pet African clawed frog.

2. Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon Axelrodi)

Size: 3 inches

Temperament: Peaceful

pH level: 6 to 7

Suitable temperature: 70°-85°F

Needed care: Easy

They grow slightly larger than other tetras, reaching a size of about 1.5 inches. Their most distinctive feature is the bold red and blue striped pattern on their bodies. These patterns appear more prominently when they school together in groups of 6 or more fish.

Being omnivorous fish, Cardinal Tetras have a varied diet and readily accept smaller fish foods. Thus, keeping them with your pet frog won’t give you an extra headache. 

3. Fancy Guppy (Poecilia Reticulata)

Size: up to 2 inches

Temperament: Peaceful

pH level: 7.5

Suitable temperature: 75° to 80°F

Needed care: Easy

Guppies make great tank mates to an African clawed frog. They come in many color varieties and tolerate a wide range of temperatures and pH levels of water.

Fancy guppies are also omnivorous, like cardinal tetra. Besides, they are prolific breeders, regularly giving birth to babies called fry. 

Guppies require minimal water parameter care but provide endless visual interest with their hardiness, breeding, and unexpected fry colors. They make a great community fish for African clawed frog tanks.

4. Kissing Gouramis (Helostoma Temminkii)

Size: above 12 inches

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

pH level: 7

Suitable temperature: 70° to 80°F

Needed care: Moderate

Kissing Gouramis can reach 12 inches as adults, so they must be removed before reaching that size. These gouramis have a unique pout-like mouth and semi-aggressive temperament. 

Therefore, close monitoring is needed, and adults must be rehomed before outgrowing the established set-up. With proper size management, Kissing Gouramis can coexist safely with African Clawed Frogs for a while.

5. Ghost Shrimp (Neocaridina Heteropoda)

Size: 0.4 to 0.8 inches 

Temperament: Peaceful and non-aggressive

pH level: 6 to 7.5

Suitable temperature: 65° to 78°F

Needed care: Low-maintenance

Ghost shrimps are called “Ghosts” because of their almost transparent bodies. They help keep the aquarium clean by scavenging for leftover food and algae. 

Besides, their peaceful demeanor makes them ideal companions for the frogs. As ghost shrimps are almost invisible, they won’t provoke the aggressive nature of the clawed frog.

6. Zebra Danios (Danio Rerio)

Size: 2 inches

Temperament: Calm

pH level: 7 to 8

Suitable temperature: 65° to 75°F

Needed care: Moderate

If you want an active and social tank mate for your clawed frog, zebra danios are your ideal alternative. These hyperactive striped fish also provide visual interest and movement in the tank. 

Zebra Danios have a calm nature like your pet African clawed frog. Therefore, their nature ensures compatibility with the frog. However, you need a large African clawed frog tank set up of around 15 gallons as they need a large space to swim around.

7. Severum Cichlid (Heros Severus)

Size: 8 inches

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

pH level: 6

Suitable temperature: 73° to 84°F

Needed care: Moderate

If you’re looking for an inexpensive tank mate, Severum Cichlid is your go-to option. They are colorful fish that are hardy and inexpensive to keep. 

As omnivores, Severum Cichlids will not challenge frogs for food since they stay mainly in the middle of the tank, while frogs remain bottom dwellers. Neither species will bully the other due to their semi-aggressive nature.

The compatibility of their water parameters and non-overlapping territories allows both to thrive together without conflicts over anything. Aquarists will enjoy observing the activity and contrasting colors of Severum Cichlids paired with white frogs below.

8. Emerald Green Rasboras (Microrasbora Kubotai)

Size: 0.4 to 0.6 inches

Temperament: Calm and non-aggressive

pH level: 6 to 7.5

Suitable temperature: 72° to 79°F

Needed care: Easy and beginner-friendly

The vibrantly colored Emerald Green Rasbora originate from Southeast Asian waters and have an attractive jade hue that shimmers as they dart. 

At mature lengths of only 1-1.5 inches, rasboras are no threat to the clawed frog. Both species maintain a clear division of territory through their innate behaviors. Rasboras remain aloft while frogs patrol the gravel floor, scavenging for food. 

They also thrive under similar conditions of lukewarm water within a narrow pH range, supporting a balanced ecosystem. 

What to Consider While Picking The Best African Clawed Frog Tank Mates?

Here are some factors that you should keep in mind while looking for a tank mate

Size Compatibility

The size of the tank mates should be carefully considered to prevent predation or competition. African clawed frogs can grow up to 5 inches in length, so it is advisable to choose fish or invertebrates that are not small enough to be eaten.

Temperament 

Select tank mates that are known to be peaceful and non-aggressive. Avoid species that might nip or harass the frogs, such as some fin nippers or aggressive catfish. 

Choose fish that occupy different areas of the aquarium, like surface-dwelling fish, to minimize interactions and potential conflicts.

Water Requirements

Ensure that the chosen tank mates have water requirements similar to those of African clawed frogs. This includes factors like pH, temperature, and salinity levels.

Additional Considerations

These factors are additional, but considering them will make the living environment of the frog and the mate comfortable.

• Hiding Places: Provide ample hiding places for both the African clawed frogs and the tank mates. This can be achieved with rocks, driftwood, and densely planted areas. Hiding places offer security and reduce stress, especially for smaller or more timid species.
• Tank Size: The African clawed frog tank size should be adequate for the number and size of both species. Overcrowding can lead to stress, competition for resources, and potential aggression.

FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions regarding tank mates of African clawed frogs:

Conclusion

Choosing the right African clawed frog tank mates is essential to prevent unwanted behavior in both species. Having an additional species in your aquarium not only provides companionship to your pet frog but also enhances its beauty.

However, while choosing the tank mate, you need to consider the tank size as well as the tank mate size. Choose a friend for your clawed frog that is calm in nature and mostly remains in the top level of the water.