Help please, Adding ADFs to my betta tank

UPDATE! Help please, Adding ADFs to my betta tank

Hey there, I have 2 ADFs that I'm thinking about putting in with my betta in his 5 gal tank. it's well established and cycled. I've had him for 8 months and he seems happy. The only reason I'm considering adding the ADFs is because they were given to my niece 2 years ago for christmas from a friend and they are in this terrible tiny cube. Turns out a toy store was selling them and they just look miserable. She told me I could have them if I wanted because they were "boring" and I know sharing a 5 gal with a betta may not be the BEST set up but I figured anything is better than this tiny cube (there can't be more than a pint of water in it). Should I try? or just let them live in this cube? I can't afford to get another tank and I don't have the space to put one, so those are my only options

Also, the toy store told them to only feed the ADFs twice a week! I told them about a week ago (when I found out) that they need to be fed every day or AT LEAST every other day, so she has started feeding them more. Poor things, live a miserable existence right now.


Any advice/options would be appreciated, it breaks my heart to see these frogs confined to such a tiny space.

UPDATE!

So I have added the frogs to the tank with the betta, everything seems peaceful and going great so far. The betta does not mess with them and they don't mess with him. Now my only concern is their eating. I take them out and hand feed them in a separate dish (one at a time) and they do not eat very much at all (like 2 or 3 pellets each). They are so scrawny compared to the other adfs I have seen pictures of and the smallest one (Alec) seems to spit his food out all the time. I have no idea what type of pellets I'm feeding them though because it was in a little ziploc baggie. I accidentally spilled most of the food so I'm going to have to buy some. What kind should I buy? I've heard HBH pellets? I'm not sure what those are, I don't live close to a pet store so I was going to check walmart later on today, do they sell the type of food I would need? Also, I would like to start feeding them in the tank eventually without having to take them out to feed them, how could I get them used to eating in the tank? I was thinking I could put a small dish in the bottom and feed them there every day but they are not the liveliest frogs and I just feel like they would never figure it out and would starve. Thanks for the advice in advance!

 

HI Jackalack, you're right on almost all counts, imo.

The cube is a horrible home. I'm surprised they are still alive.
5g with a betta isn't ideal. 2 adf's fully stock a 5g.
I guess it's better than the cube unless the betta decides he doesn't like company. Then the frogs will be in trouble.

Be sure to do frequent water changes. The nitrates can rise quickly.

There are some good feeding recommendations in this sticky:

Care Sheet For African Dwarf Frogs

Good luck, I hope it works out.
ADF's are far from boring when kept in proper environment.

 

HI Jack~ ADF's would do better in an ADF species only tank but since you have no room I would give it a try with the Betta. Anything is better than that cube. They will be so happy to actually stretch their little legs and swim!
Keep a good eye on the Betta and the frogs. ADF's can easily mistake his/hers fins of food since ADF's have poor eyesight. And like Lucy said , your Betta may not like company either.
Do make sure to acclimate the frogs slowly to the water in the 5 gallon tank you have. I'd test the cube water and then your tank water to see the difference in pH etc... You may also need to hand feed the ADFs to make sure they eat and your Betta doesn't get all their food.

Good luck with the frogs, they are so fun to watch.

 

I personnaly think (although I could be wrong - I know nothing about frogs) that they would do fine in the tank with the Betta???

 

I personnaly think (although I could be wrong - I know nothing about frogs) that they would do fine in the tank with the Betta???

There can be several issues with keeping frogs with fish. ADF's have poor eye sight. Fish can out compete them for food pretty easily. Also, ADF's don't have many ways of defending themselves. If the betta wanted to kill the frogs, he probably could.

I keep 4 ADF's with a betta in a heavily planted 15 gallon. It works well for me but my not work with every fish.

Properly cares for ADF's are a ton of fun! I do recommend feeding them more than just pellets. Beef heart, mysis or brine shimp work well. My frogs won't touch frog pellets anymore.

These are my goofy frogs

 

thanks for all of the advice. I definitely plan on letting them float in a baggie first to see how my betta reacts before just tossing them in there, fingers crossed that he won't be aggressive! (should I slowly add the tank water to their bag to get them acclimated? Should I even put their water in my tank or will that mess with my bettta?)I really hate to see them in that cube
For feeding time I plan on sticking this plastic insert in there to keep them separate from the betta until they've eaten, if that doesn't work, I guess I will be hand feeding.

 

I would give it a try. I just can't imagine how miserable the little guys were in a cube of all things. Just keep an eye on the Betta fish.... they are not the best neighbors. Let us know how it works out, and good for you for trying to help the ADF's. They are such amazing little guys.

 

I would add the 5 gallon tank water to their water slowly especially if there is a big difference in pH. It could take quite a while to do if the pH is very different. Plus by adding the 5 gallon tank water you should get it close to the same temperature. I wouldn't add their water to the tank if it were me especially if it's really dirty from the cube. Once acclimated you could even scoop them up by hand. They have very tiny nails that could easily get stuck in a fine net. Don't forget to keep your other hand over them, they're frogs and can hop
I use 10 inch reptile tongs to feed my frogs. They are very easy to use.

 

This is what I did with the cube from the ADF I rescued. There is a teeny ranshorn snail, and I've added a few floating plants.

 

Ah, ive had one of those. Sent some VERY disturbing emails to the company.... Anywho, id give it a go. If it doesn't work out then find a critter keeper, cheap and easy.

 

bump

 

HI Jackalack.....after a month, I'm not sure why you are bumping this.

Do you need further help?

 

UPDATE!

So I have added the frogs to the tank with the betta, everything seems peaceful and going great so far. The betta does not mess with them and they don't mess with him. Now my only concern is their eating. I take them out and hand feed them in a separate dish (one at a time) and they do not eat very much at all (like 2 or 3 pellets each). They are so scrawny compared to the other adfs I have seen pictures of and the smallest one (Alec) seems to spit his food out all the time. I have no idea what type of pellets I'm feeding them though because it was in a little ziploc baggie. I accidentally spilled most of the food so I'm going to have to buy some. What kind should I buy? I've heard HBH pellets? I'm not sure what those are, I don't live close to a pet store so I was going to check walmart later on today, do they sell the type of food I would need? Also, I would like to start feeding them in the tank eventually without having to take them out to feed them, how could I get them used to eating in the tank? I was thinking I could put a small dish in the bottom and feed them there every day but they are not the liveliest frogs and I just feel like they would never figure it out and would starve. Thanks for the advice in advance!

I believe he wanted everyone to see that he had updated the first post. Correct me if I am wrong, Jackalack.

 

Thanks Megan! (always love seeing your adf sig)

Jack, when you edit your first post after there has been replies, it makes the thread confusing.

If you need more help please feel free to write the update as a new post in the thread.

I'll let someone else answer since the words swim together for me in such a big block of text.
I'd hate to miss something important.

 

Thanks Lucy! I'll attempt to answer as much as I can.

1. HBH pellets are ideal for ADFs. I had received my ADFs in a cube as a gift and the pellets that they came with are nowhere near as good as HBH. I doubt that you will find them at Walmart, though. At least my Walmart does not carry them. Most pet stores will sell them in either the fish section or reptile/amphibian section. Here is what the bottle looks like:

2. Eating 2-3 pellets a day is fine for most ADFs. I usually drop 8 in each day for my 2 ADFs.

3. I use the plate method of feeding my ADFs. I put the bottom of a small terra cotta flower pot in the tank and they know to find their food in the plate (you can see the corner of it in my sig). If you don't think that your frogs will be able to find their food you can always spot feed them with a turkey baster or tongs like Jancy suggested.