Can African Clawed Frog and Asian Arowana Live Together?

Not Recommended

African Clawed Frog and Asian Arowana are not recommended as tank mates due to no temperature overlap. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.


At a Glance

African Clawed Frog

Xenopus laevis

Asian Arowana

Scleropages formosus

🐠Family Group
African Clawed Frog
Other
Asian Arowana
Oddballs
Temperament
African Clawed Frog
Aggressive (8/10)
Asian Arowana
Aggressive (8/10)
Temperature
βœ— No overlap
African Clawed Frog
16–24Β°C
Asian Arowana
26–30Β°C
pH Range
βœ“ Compatible
African Clawed Frog
6.5–8
Asian Arowana
6–7.5
Hardness (dGH)
βœ“ Compatible
African Clawed Frog
5–20
Asian Arowana
1–12
Water Type
βœ“ Compatible
African Clawed Frog
Freshwater Only
Asian Arowana
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
βœ“ Compatible
African Clawed Frog
Low
Asian Arowana
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 1000 L
African Clawed Frog
75 L
Asian Arowana
1000 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 1 zone
African Clawed Frog
BottomMiddleTop
Asian Arowana
Top
🏷️Behavior Tags
African Clawed Frog
Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish)Shrimp EaterSnail EaterFry PredatorJumper (Lid Required)Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerPlant DestroyerDigger (Disturbs Substrate)Aggressive Eater (Starves shy fish)
Asian Arowana
Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish)Jumper (Lid Required)Aggressive to same species/look-alikesTerritorial (Defends specific area)Hyperactive / Fast Swimmer
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle African Clawed Frog and Asian Arowana?

Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.

African Clawed Frog
Asian Arowana
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Both African Clawed Frog and Asian Arowana are semi-aggressive species with an aggression score of 8/10. Their matching temperaments mean neither fish is likely to dominate the other in a shared aquarium.

Both African Clawed Frog and Asian Arowana are highly aggressive, increasing the risk of violent confrontations.

African Clawed Frog and Asian Arowana both frequent the Top (Surface) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Worth noting: African Clawed Frog is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Water Parameters

There is no temperature overlap between African Clawed Frog (16–24Β°C) and Asian Arowana (26–30Β°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house African Clawed Frog and Asian Arowana together, plan for an aquarium of at least 1000 litres with a minimum length of 240 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with low (still water) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can African Clawed Frog and Asian Arowana live together?

No. This combination is not recommended. Key incompatibilities β€” such as non-overlapping temperature ranges β€” make cohabitation unsafe.

What size tank do African Clawed Frog and Asian Arowana need?

A minimum of 1000 litres (tank length at least 240 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.

What water temperature is best for African Clawed Frog and Asian Arowana together?

Unfortunately, there is no temperature range that satisfies both species. African Clawed Frog requires 16–24Β°C, while Asian Arowana needs 26–30Β°C.

Are African Clawed Frog or Asian Arowana aggressive?

African Clawed Frog is semi-aggressive (8/10) and Asian Arowana is semi-aggressive (8/10). Their similar temperaments generally lead to a peaceful coexistence.

What pH do African Clawed Frog and Asian Arowana need?

Both species overlap in the 6.5–7.5 pH range. Consistency is key β€” avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.

How do I manage Asian Arowana's territorial behaviour?

Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives Asian Arowana space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding dΓ©cor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.


Related Comparisons

African Clawed Frog & Bluegill Sunfish

Β·

Possible with Caution
African Clawed Frog: PeacefulBluegill Sunfish: Peaceful

African Clawed Frog & Largemouth Bass

Β·

Possible with Caution
African Clawed Frog: PeacefulLargemouth Bass: Peaceful

African Clawed Frog & African Dwarf Frog

Β·

Not Recommended
African Clawed Frog: PeacefulAfrican Dwarf Frog: Peaceful

African Clawed Frog & African Lungfish

Β·

Possible with Caution
African Clawed Frog: PeacefulAfrican Lungfish: Peaceful

African Clawed Frog & Amazon Leaf Fish

Β·

Possible with Caution
African Clawed Frog: PeacefulAmazon Leaf Fish: Peaceful

African Clawed Frog & Badis (Chameleon Fish)

Β·

Possible with Caution
African Clawed Frog: PeacefulBadis (Chameleon Fish): Peaceful

Asian Arowana & Australian Pearl Arowana

Β·

Possible with Caution
Asian Arowana: PeacefulAustralian Pearl Arowana: Peaceful

Asian Arowana & Silver Arowana

Β·

Possible with Caution
Asian Arowana: PeacefulSilver Arowana: Peaceful

Asian Arowana & Banded Archerfish (Brackish)

Β·

Not Recommended
Asian Arowana: PeacefulBanded Archerfish (Brackish): Peaceful

Asian Arowana & Black Ghost Knifefish

Β·

Possible with Caution
Asian Arowana: PeacefulBlack Ghost Knifefish: Peaceful

Asian Arowana & Clown Knifefish

Β·

Possible with Caution
Asian Arowana: PeacefulClown Knifefish: Peaceful

Asian Arowana & Florida Gar

Β·

Possible with Caution
Asian Arowana: PeacefulFlorida Gar: Peaceful