Sometimes, but only tiny ones. African dwarf frogs may eat snail eggs and newly hatched baby snails small enough to swallow, but they leave adult snails alone, so the two can share a tank. Choose snails that are too big to eat when you add them, such as mystery or nerite snails.
Can African Dwarf Frogs Live With Snails?
Yes. The frogs are small, slow and have poor eyesight, so they are not hunters of shelled prey. Keepers report that the frogs may mouth larger snails and spit them out. Anything small enough to fit in the frog’s mouth, including snail eggs and hatchlings, is fair game. Sources disagree on how often this happens, so treat it as possible rather than guaranteed.
| Snail | Works with African dwarf frogs? |
|---|---|
| Mystery snails | Yes. Large and peaceful, too big to be eaten. |
| Nerite snails | Yes. Hard shell, and they ignore the frogs. |
| Ramshorn snails | Adults are fine. Babies and eggs may get eaten, which keeps their numbers down. |
| Apple snails | Yes, once they are bigger than a frog’s mouth. |
| Ivory snails | Yes, as adults. |
What Should You Watch For?
- Baby snails disappearing: This usually means the frogs are eating hatchlings. It is normal and harmless to the frogs.
- Frog mix-ups: African clawed frogs are larger and far more likely to eat snails and fish. Check which species you have before you add anything.
- Feeding: Frogs eat slowly and have poor eyesight. Give them frozen bloodworms or live blackworms that sink, and avoid pellets that dissolve fast. Snails will not replace this feeding.
- Water quality: Snails add waste. In a small tank, keep up with weekly water changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will African dwarf frogs eat mystery snails?
No. Adult mystery snails are much larger than a dwarf frog’s mouth and have a protective shell.
What animals will eat snails?
In a home aquarium, African dwarf frogs only eat snail eggs and tiny hatchlings, and African clawed frogs are the ones that go after adult snails. Dwarf frogs are small, slow and have poor eyesight, so they mostly ignore shelled prey. Check which frog species you have before adding snails.
How big should a snail be to be safe?
A snail should be clearly larger than the frog’s head. Anything that can fit in its mouth may be eaten.