Like dwarf shrimp, African frogs (both African dwarf frogs and African clawed frogs) have become more popular in the past few years. Because of this, a good question that many aquarium owners have is, “Are African frogs and shrimp compatible? Or how can they keep African frogs in a shrimp tank?”
In most cases, it is not safe to keep dwarf shrimp and African frogs because they come from animals that eat other animals. Frogs are obligate carnivores, they only feed on meat-based foods. However, if you are keeping large shrimp species, it may be possible with small African frogs.
I’ve read a few posts and articles recently that make it clear that it is possible to keep shrimp. Regrettably, the information is either fluff and completely wrong or not structured and full. Therefore, I feel obliged to add my voice and correct some of the falsehoods.
African dwarf frogs are popular aquatic pets known for their small size and peaceful temperament But can these frogs be safely housed with shrimp? Or will the frogs view shrimp as an easy meal? This is an important question for those considering mixing frogs and shrimp in one tank,
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about keeping African dwarf frogs with shrimp We’ll look at the factors that determine the likelihood of frogs eating shrimp tankmates, and provide tips for creating a compatible habitat.
The Diet of African Dwarf Frogs
In their native habitats of aquatic ecosystems across Sub-Saharan Africa, African dwarf frogs feed on small live prey. They are carnivorous and will eat any moving animal they can capture and swallow whole.
Common natural foods include:
- Insects and insect larvae
- Small crustaceans
- Worms
- Mosquito larvae
- Other frog eggs and tadpoles
In captivity, African dwarf frogs are most often fed frozen and freeze-dried foods designed for aquatic frogs and tadpoles They will also readily eat live foods including brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia and small feeder fish
Will African Dwarf Frogs Try to Eat Shrimp?
Given their carnivorous tendencies, African dwarf frogs will absolutely pursue shrimp as potential prey if housed in the same tank. These frogs are attracted by movement and will eat any shrimp small enough to swallow.
However, there are a few limiting factors:
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Frog Size – African dwarf frogs only grow to 1.5 inches long. They can’t swallow large prey.
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Shrimp Size – Very small shrimp fry and juveniles are most at risk. Large adult shrimp are safer.
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Shrimp Speed – Fast-moving shrimp are harder for the slow frogs to catch.
So while dwarf frogs will happily eat shrimp if given the chance, shrimp won’t automatically become frog food in all cases. Proper tank setup is key.
Best Shrimp Species for African Dwarf Frog Tanks
Not all types of shrimp make good tankmates for African dwarf frogs. Ideal choices include:
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Amano Shrimp – Fast-moving and grow over 2 inches long. Low risk of being eaten.
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Bamboo Shrimp – Reach over 3 inches in length. Peaceful and unlikely to be bothered.
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Ghost Shrimp – Semi-transparent coloration provides camouflage from frogs.
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Red Cherry Shrimp – Vibrant color stands out against aquatic backgrounds.
Larger shrimp species are preferable to dwarf varieties like bee shrimp that could be more vulnerable. Make sure any shrimp added are at least as long as the frog is wide.
Tips for Housing African Dwarf Frogs With Shrimp
If you want to keep African dwarf frogs and shrimp together safely, follow these tips:
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Choose a large tank of 20+ gallons to provide space to avoid confrontation.
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Include plenty of hiding places and dense vegetation for shrimp to evade frogs.
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Introduce the largest, fastest-moving shrimp possible to reduce predation chances.
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Distract frogs with ample alternate live and frozen foods to decrease shrimp-hunting.
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Monitor frog and shrimp interactions closely at first and remove any aggressive frogs.
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Add shrimp to established tanks rather than introducing both species simultaneously.
Will African Dwarf Frogs Eat Baby Shrimp?
One of the biggest risks of housing frogs and shrimp is that the frogs will prey on baby shrimp and juveniles. Even large shrimp species will produce very small offspring that are vulnerable.
To help ensure success:
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Use thick plants like moss for young shrimp to hide in.
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Place breeding nets or grated dividers to separate baby shrimp.
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Remove frog immediately if exhibiting stalking behaviors focused on shrimp.
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Supplement frog diet to limit hunting drive on baby shrimp.
While adult shrimp may be compatible tankmates for frogs, expect shrimp fry and juveniles to potentially become expensive frog food in a shared habitat.
Can You Keep African Dwarf Frogs With Snails?
In addition to shrimp, African dwarf frogs can potentially be housed with aquatic snails under the right conditions. Peaceful snails are an excellent clean-up crew that consume leftover food and algae.
Some good snail options include:
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Nerite Snails – Available in many colors. Cannot reproduce in freshwater.
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Mystery Snails – Fun to watch moving. Limited breeding potential.
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Ramshorn Snails – Vibrantly colored spiral shells. Fairly small.
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Trumpet Snails – Burrow into substrate. Aid with aeration.
The hard protective shells of most aquatic snails protect them from predation by the toothless frogs. Still, any very small snail species could be nibbled on, so larger snails are ideal tankmates.
While African dwarf frogs will enthusiastically eat small shrimp given the opportunity, housing frogs with shrimp is possible by selecting appropriate tankmates. Focus on large, fast-moving shrimp species to reduce chances of predation. Monitor all interactions closely, provide ample hiding spots, and supplement frog diets to increase compatibility success. With the right choices and setup, African dwarf frogs and shrimp can safely coexist.
Are African Dwarf Frogs and Dwarf Shrimp Compatible?
Let’s start with the size.
African dwarf frogs (such as Hymenochirus boettgeri, Hymenochirus curtipes, etc. ) can reach up to 2. 5 inches (7 cm) in length when fully grown. Whereas most dwarf shrimp species (genus Neocaridina and Caridina) usually grow up to 1 inch (2 . 5 cm) long. After hatching, young baby shrimp (shrimplets) are around 0. 08 inches (2 mm) long.
African dwarf frogs may look like small, cute, and relatively harmless creatures to us, humans. However, in the animal world, they are active predators and also are extremely opportunistic eaters.
Even though they are blind and unsteady, they can still react quickly and catch a tasty meal when they need to.
Therefore, the African dwarf frog is actually a pretty big threat in a shrimp tank setting. Therefore, I strongly believe that keeping African dwarf frogs and dwarf shrimp together is not the best idea if you really want to breed dwarf shrimp.
African dwarf frogs will definitely eat your baby shrimp. As for the Adult dwarf shrimp, they may be safe for some time until your frogs get bigger. Thus, eventually, even adult shrimp might be eaten.
Important: You need to understand that incompatible tank mates are one of the stress factors for the shrimp. Do not take it lightly! Stress is a great way to lose your shrimp colony. Constant stress makes them weak and vulnerable. Several tests have shown that they are likely to live shorter lives and may experience other side effects that could have an overall effect on their health.
Related articles:
Are African Dwarf Frogs and Large Shrimp Species Compatible?
What about other shrimp species? Are large shrimp species safe to keep with African dwarf frogs?
As we can see some shrimp species can grow pretty big. African dwarf frogs will not touch large adults as long as they are big enough for their mouths. Also, some shrimp, like the Amano shrimp and the Ghost shrimp, are tough and can handle the pokes from the frogs.
Note: Nonetheless, some recently molted shrimp and juveniles can still be hunted.
african dwarf frogs vs shrimp !!!
Do African dwarf frogs eat snails?
A snail is a good addition and companion to an African dwarf frog tank. This is because of their peaceful nature and cleaning role. Also, given their hard external shells, it is difficult for a frog to feed on them, making them less susceptible to the attacks by the frogs.
Do African frogs eat dwarf shrimp?
African Dwarf Frogs will eat all your dwarf shrimp. It is simply inevitable. However, some species can be big enough to swallow. For example, Amano shrimp and Ghost shrimp can grow up to 2 inches (5 cm). So, they do have a chance to survive.
Can frogs eat shrimp?
Frogs are obligate carnivores, they only feed on meat-based foods. However, if you are keeping large shrimp species, it may be possible with small African frogs. Recently I have come across a few posts and articles which clearly said that it is possible to keep shrimp.
Can frogs eat cherry shrimp?
The fact remains that even though the cherry shrimps are bigger than them, it might delay the frogs from eating them, but they will eventually do, especially when they go hungry. So Cherry shrimps are not suitable tank mates for the African dwarf frogs in any way.