Can African Clawed Frog and Licorice Gourami Live Together?

African Clawed Frog is a semi-aggressive species (8/10), while Licorice Gourami is peaceful (2/10). This notable difference means African Clawed Frog may occasionally assert dominance over Licorice Gourami.

Large aggression gap (6 points) between African Clawed Frog and Licorice Gourami increases stress risk for the more peaceful fish.

African Clawed Frog and Licorice Gourami both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) and Middle (Open Water) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

There is a critical concern: the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) trait of the other — piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Hyperactive swimmers can stress shy, slow-moving species through constant motion. Aggressive eaters may outcompete shy fish for food, leading to malnutrition. Shrimp eaters may also prey on very small nano fish.

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

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 22°C and 24°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 23.0°C) for optimal comfort.

The pH requirements of African Clawed Frog (6.5–8) and Licorice Gourami (3–6) do not overlap, making it impossible to satisfy both species simultaneously.

Hardness requirements are incompatible: African Clawed Frog needs 5–20 dGH while Licorice Gourami requires 0–4 dGH.

To house African Clawed Frog and Licorice Gourami together, plan for an aquarium of at least 75 litres with a minimum length of 60 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), Leaf Litter/Blackwater, Plants - Densely covered, Plants - Floating, Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Note a potential conflict in setup requirements: African Clawed Frog is a plant destroyer, which conflicts with Licorice Gourami's requirement for live plants. Compromise where possible or prioritise the more critical need.

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

Feeding time deserves special attention with this pairing. African Clawed Frog is a known shrimp eater and may prey on small invertebrates or nano fish like Licorice Gourami. African Clawed Frog is an aggressive eater that may prevent Licorice Gourami from getting enough food.

Because African Clawed Frog is a fast, competitive feeder, consider using sinking pellets or feeding at opposite ends of the setup to ensure Licorice Gourami receives an adequate share.