African Dwarf Frog
Hymenochirus boettgeri
Also known as ADF, Dwarf Clawed Frog
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A small, fully aquatic frog that paddles along the bottom and floats up to breathe air. It feeds slowly and has poor eyesight, so faster fish easily steal its meals. A species-only tank or very calm companions work best. It needs a lid and easy surface access.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 10 US gal
- Footprint
- Not specified
- Temperature
- 72–78 °F
- pH
- 6.5–7.8
- Hardness
- 5–20 dGH
- Swim zone
- Bottom
- Min group
- 3 or more
- Lifespan
- 5–10 years
African Dwarf Frog tank mates and swim zone
Bottom
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Poecilia sphenops
African Dwarf Frog is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Molly.
Betta splendens
Betta often does best alone. Only try this in a larger, planted tank, and watch closely.
Trichogaster lalius
African Dwarf Frog is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Dwarf Gourami.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Swordtail is big enough to eat or bully a fish as small as African Dwarf Frog.
Ancistrus cirrhosus
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Pea Puffer is fast and nippy and will bully a timid little fish like African Dwarf Frog.
Hyphessobrycon eques
Serpae Tetra is fast and nippy and will bully a timid little fish like African Dwarf Frog.
African Dwarf Frog feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed bloodworm or sinking carnivore pellets directly in front of it.
- Use a feeding dish or tongs, so slower frogs get their share.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Females are larger and rounder. Mature males are slimmer, with a small gland behind each front leg.
African Dwarf Frog care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 3 fish so they feel secure.
- Do not confuse it with the larger African clawed frog, which eats fish.
- Hand-feed if needed. Fast fish often take its food before it finds it.
- Keep the water shallow enough to reach the surface easily, and fit a lid.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 10 US gallons.
African Dwarf Frog tank setup
The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.
TankAt least 10 US gal (38 L)
The smallest tank our sources give for African Dwarf Frog. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts).
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 10 Gallon US
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 10 Gallon US
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 20 Long US
Eheim clearTank 73 Spain
Why we chose these (Best 10-Gallon Fish Tank: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits African Dwarf Frog, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside African Dwarf Frog's temperature range.
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 10 Gallon US
No heater included
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 20 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 54 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterAir-driven sponge filter
Gentle flow that small fish and long fins can handle, plus a safe home for good bacteria.
Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter (Small) US
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter US
Tetra Brillant Filter Spain
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 10-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 72–78 °F (22–26 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 25 W at 5 gallons, 50 W at 10. Keeps a small tank stable. Adjustable models let you set the temperature your species needs. Size up for a cold room.
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 50 W US
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 50 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 10-Gallon Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateSand or fine, not sharp, gravel; gravel small enough to swallow is a risk.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorNeeds places to hide: plants, rocks and wood, with any rockwork kept stable so it cannot collapse on the frogs.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy African Dwarf Frog
We have not found a store that sells African Dwarf Frog under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Not allowed without a permit in: Hawaii and Virginia (see the local rules below)
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Check your local rules on African Dwarf Frog
Official lists name this animal or its close relatives. Rules differ by place, so check the rules where you live before you buy or keep one.
Hawaii
Hawaii's list of prohibited animals names the whole frog family Pipidae, which includes African dwarf frogs. Its only exceptions are two other species, for research and exhibition by government agencies.
Source: List of Prohibited Animals (Hawaii Department of Agriculture)
Virginia
Virginia needs a special permit to bring in, keep or sell African dwarf frogs (Hymenochirus), which it lists as predatory or undesirable.
Source: Virginia Administrative Code, 4VAC15-30-40; Virginia Administrative Code, 4VAC15-30-40
Never release aquarium animals or plants into the wild, including into ponds, rivers or drains.
This is general information, not legal advice. We last checked these lists on 4 November 2026, and the US state lists on 8 November 2026. Our US state aquarium rules table shows every state, including the ones whose lists we could not read. We did not check Spanish regional rules, and other countries have their own.
African Dwarf Frog FAQ
What size tank do African Dwarf Frogs need?
Our sourced minimum is 10 US gallons (38 liters). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many African Dwarf Frogs should I keep?
Keep at least 3 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with African Dwarf Frogs?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Ember Tetra. Avoid Swordtail and Bristlenose Pleco.
How long do African Dwarf Frogs live?
Care guides report about 5–10 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Can African dwarf frogs live with fish?
Sometimes, but they compete poorly for food. Very calm, small fish are the safest option, and many keepers prefer a species-only tank.
African Dwarf Frog facts and sources
- Family
- Pipidae
- Native to
- Central Africa
- Adult size
- 1.4 in (3.5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Harem/Pairs
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Water flow
- Low/Still
- Substrate
- Smooth Gravel
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- Adult Shrimp Only
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- Yes
- Breeding
- Difficult in Home Tanks
Sources
- Aquarium Source: Tank and water figures
- AmphibiaWeb: Adult size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.