African Dwarf Frogs Where do they go ???

[Italya44]

I currently have 2 tanks. Both are freshwater. One is heated one is not. In the heated tank I have : 2 angel fish, 9 neon tetra's and a sucker fish that I hardly see (he lives in the treasure chest ornament)........the non heated has 1 oranda goldfish , 1 black moore, and 2 chinese painted pearlscales...... Can my African Dwarf frogs live in harmony in either tank ??? I currently have them in my quarintine tank. Can anyone direct me on this. I don't want anyone eating anyone else...... I want harmony....please help me.
~Many Thanks! ~Barb :thud:

 

[Spclk1981]

not sure about the temperment of the other fish, but the frogs do well with Neons. I have 10 neons and 4 frogs in my tank with no problems whatsoever.

You just need a fish that isn't nippy. Peaceful tanks are good for the frogs.

 

[Eaallred]

I've got ADF's in my tank with molly's, platy's, gourami's, pleco's, shrimp, snails, banjo catfish, another catfish, and plants, and they all live in perfect harmony. My frogs are all so tame, I don't think your fish are what you will have to worry about.

 

[N8DOGG]

I currently have 2 tanks. Both are freshwater. One is heated one is not. In the heated tank I have : 2 angel fish, 9 neon tetra's and a sucker fish that I hardly see (he lives in the treasure chest ornament)........the non heated has 1 oranda goldfish , 1 black moore, and 2 chinese painted pearlscales...... Can my African Dwarf frogs live in harmony in either tank ??? I currently have them in my quarintine tank. Can anyone direct me on this. I don't want anyone eating anyone else...... I want harmony....please help me.
~Many Thanks! ~Barb :thud:

how large are both tanks? The angels will eat the neons once the angels get large enough, I would put the frog into the angel tank and just watch for aggression, the angels might not like it though, they are cichlids.

 

[Leopardess]

Frogs shouldn't be kept with goldfish, IMO. Its the same reasoning that tropical fish shouldn't be kept with coldwater fish.

Put them in the other tank. Be aware, as others have said, that angels eat neons. Also, angels can be aggressive and I'd personally be wary of the angels chewing limbs off the defenseless frogs.

By the by, frogs in large tanks often suffer starvation because of their feeding habits.

Please look at the link in my signature. It is an extensive article I wrote about ADF's from the Article Section.

 

[Italya44]

THANK YOU! (advise about African Dwarfs)

I cannot thank you all enough. I have been wrestling with this for a few days now. I am simply going to take the 4 african dwarf frogs back to the pet store. I cannot see prolonging this anymore. I was also horrified to hear that my angels, once grown will eat the neon tetra's that they have been living with. So I will also be returning the 9 neons as well. I truly wish that we could put our trust in the employees of these pet stores. We are beginners, and relied on on the knowledge of the "fish keepers" in the store. I have been reading articals, books,and internet info. to educate myself more as well. Sooo , now we will have our goldfish tank...(29 gallon) and the (29 gallon) freshwater heated with the 2 angels, and my sucker fish. My question to you all...... WHAT GOES IN HARMONY WITH OUR 2 ANGELS ??

 

[Leopardess]

Well, I dare say you've found one of the best resources to educate yourself! Plus, a site like this is always willing to help out a member who obviously cares as much as you do

Now, let's clarify. In the wild, angels eat neons as a food source. This behaviour is commonly seen in the aquarium as well. However, there are instances when, if an angelfish grows up with neons, from a young age, it will not see the neons as a food source. Several people succesfully keep the two together....it isn't a 100% positive that they'd be eaten and it wouldn't necessarily be considered "bad fishkeeping," I don't think. If you'd prefer not to take the chance, then taking the neons back or getting another 10g tank are valid options. (If you have the room or desire for a new tank, a 10g would hold the 9 neons and four frogs very comfortably!!)

Also, while Angels can be aggressive sometimes....again, it is not a positive that they'd harass your frogs. I do not think it is the best situation...but it is likely to be do-able. I guess it depends on how much you want the frogs and your willingness to see what happens. If you do keep the frogs, you really shouldn't get any other bottom feeding fish though...


Do you know what kind of sucker fish you have? Is it small (an otocinclus), larger (Chinese algae eater) or maybe something else? Is it a pleco?

As for what to go in the tank...you could probably do something like kuhli loaches, cories, or even a pictus catfish (all very cool fish, indeed). I keep an african butterfly fish with my angel in a 29g, without any problems, but sometimes you hear of an angel that bothers the long fins of a butterfly fish.

Another option is that if you are the type that doesn't get too attached to the fish, you could simply keep the neons and replace them as they get eaten (keeping the angels well fed to avoid the temptation of snacking on them).

Hope that helps some. Also, some of the best advice we can give here is not to listen to anything the petstore tells you! If you think it could be true, come here and ask us and we'll let you know for sure

 

[stellablu]

I have a Chinese Algae Eater in with my African Dwarf Frog. No problems at all.

BTW Leopardess you did an awesome job on that article! Very informative. You said you don't think goldfish and ADF's match-up. It is because of them temperature? I keep my goldfish tank at 72-75. It never drops even to 70. I have a bio filter on it. So far no issues. Everyone is eating fine and plentiful.

Is it possible that my ADF ate some guppy fry? (GOODNESS do I need to find a new home for the guppies!!!)

 

[Leopardess]

Thank you! Yes, they will occasionally eat things like guppy fry. Its usually the slower, weaker, dead ones but I am sure some frogs will munch on the little guys

Well, the reason I'd say you shouldn't keep frogs with them, off the top of my head, is that: Goldfish have huge mouths. You'd be surprised what they can suck up, as you probably know. Goldfish will also eat small fish that are put in with them, quite often. This is not very conducive to keeping small frogs in with them.

Frogs also require a lot of hiding places and gravel mounds...the likes of which can be difficult for cleaning reasons in a goldfish tank.

Goldfish can also be vectors for diseases (they can transfer some diseases to tropical fish, for example)...though i'm not sure if this applies to frogs at all.

Goldfish are ammonia machines. Ammonia is incredibly irritating to the frog's sensitive skin.

Goldfish are notorious for being pigs. They would make it very difficult, imo, to feed the frogs properly since they'd try to get all the food.

In addition, goldfish should have the lowest temps possible, within reason. Frogs do better around 78F, IMO. Also, if people keep frogs with goldfish, it may be harder for "newbies" to understand why tropical fish can't be kept with goldies, but tropical frogs can.

I'm sure it can be done, but it again comes down to a "whats the best situation" type deal.

 

[Italya44]

Thank You !! We did take the 4 dwarf frogs back....I feel so bad....poor fellers. The 2 angels that we have , have indeed grown up with their 9 neon tetra friends. So far there has been absolutely no problems. The angels occasionally chase each other around the tank, but they really don't bother with the neons at all. (so far). I'm a strange duck....I am really attached to both my tanks. They are part of the family. That's just me. 6 dogs, 2 fish tanks and 3 individual Betta bowls aroound the house !! I love them all! I believe I have a pleco bottom feeder/ sucker fish....We named him "Arnold" and we never see him. He literally turned completely white (from the light gray he was) and he lives in the treasure chest ornament with the roots from the plant we have growing from it. I tohught that was odd......but he's stayed the same size (about an inch) and everything is harmony for now.

Again I thank you soooooo much for all of your help! We have a new baby blue oranda coming home soon! I am THRILLED !!
Take Care & Be Well, Barbara