African Dwarf Frog difficulty submersing

[Frances9]

I'm new to ADF's and find myself worrying over the little fellows more than anything. I've had them less than a week and noticed this evening one in particular seems to be having trouble keeping himself submersed. It's like his body wants to float and as he's trying to stay on the bottom his hind parts keep floating up. Is this normal? I haven't noticed the other 2 doing this but they are spending a lot of time in their cave so I haven't seen them as much.

Thanks for any info - this is an incredible forum!

[annageckos]

What size tank are they in? How long has it been set up and is it cycled? What, if anything, is in the tank with them? What is the temp and what do you feed them? It may have gulped some air when eating. Or it could be something else. The answers the the above questions will help.

[Frances9]

O.K. - there are 3 frogs in a 10 gallon tank with an undergravel filter. The tank was set up with live plants for 3 weeks prior to adding the frogs last a week ago. Bought 2 frogs a week ago, 1 died Sunday night which was not surprise because he had been very lethargic and mostly floated on the top. Took him back (this past Monday) and got him replaced and bought an extra one - so there are now 3 frogs. Husband wanted a betta so we added that yesterday - he doesn't seem to bother the frogs. I've been feeding them frozen blood worms. The temp is 75 degrees. I do have sand in the area of the tank with plants in it - do you think he could have swallowed some of the sand?

[smaug]

Sometimes they act like that.Mine wedges himself into things so he can stay down.Hes doing it right now actually.There natural tendancy is to float.

[annageckos]

Dwarf frogs need a cycled tank. Thier skin is very delicate and the ammonia and nitrites of a cycling tank can kill them. Other than that some floating is normal, but if he is having too much trouble something is wrong. First you need to feed a varity of foods. Bloodworms along is not a good diet and will cause problems. If you are new to dwarf frogs what you see as a problem staying down may very well be normal. Keep an eye on him. Is he eating okay?

[Frances9]

He did eat this evening. And just now checked on him and hard to tell which frog is which but but I think it was him floating at the top for a few mins, then doing some sort of cute balancing act on the leaf of a plant. Hopefully I'm just not used to their 'normal' and he is doing well. I'll keep watching - although not sure what I'll do if I think he's not normal. What else do you recommend I feed them? Can they eat earthworms?

Thanks again,
Frances

[jay2487]

Another thing is while I'm sure any care sheet you wrote told you not to fill the tank completely, if you have a HOB filter and don't fill it to the lip on the filter or a little below the rushing current will feel like getting sandblasted to the frog. It will probably need to be restricted somewhat. What you describe could also be a symptom of bloat, ADF's can suffer from dropsey just as fish do but without the pine cone symptom and more in the hind region and legs. If his legs start swelling then be worried but more than likely smaug is dead on. Especially when there smaller they have a limited ability to hold theirselves down.

[annageckos]

I have never had problems with filters and frogs. Normal current is fine. If you want to cut up earthworms, they would be fine for the frogs to eat. Dwarf frogs are tiny, only about 1 1/2 inches at most. Maybe a very large female at two inches. If your frogs are bigger than that then you have African Clawed Frogs, which can get around seven inches or even larger and eat EVERYTHING. Foods you can feed are any of the frozen foods like zooplankton, daphnia, glassworms, fish eggs and any other meaty food. Live blackworms are a good treat. Trout worms or red wigglers are like earthworms but smaller and small crickets can be tryed too. Pelleted food and shrimp pellets are good too. Feeding a variety is best.

[jay2487]

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Here are just a few references to high current and ADFs, it is not their natural environment and hurts their skin to have to much current, there are even some references that say the constant pouring of water from an HOB filter 4 inches above the water line can damage their hearing, sense of smell and even damage their brains from constant shock and abuse. Plus there just not made to be fighting for air in high currents.

[Frances9]

Thanks to all for the info. It helped to know it might just be normal behavior - I was really worried. Today he/she seems much better - not that I can really tell them apart, but all 3 seem to be doing well and not struggling in any way. I will definitely try to find them a better variety of food from the suggestions you gave. Regarding the filter - I have an undergravel filter and have the flow turned down pretty low. I'm thinking maybe I should add a sponge filter to the tank. I have them in a standard 10 gallon tank with a full hood/flourescent light and have the water level about a 1/2" below the black rim. Thanks again for your help - I thought I'd read up on them before I brought them home, but some things look so different when you actually see it - and add to that being a worrier, it's not a good thing!

[souly]

Try not to worry to much, My frog will sometimes just seem to float at the top of the tank, and I look over and freak out, then I remember that he does it all the time. Pretty much do as they say and watch him. Also, try feeding the frogs some tubeflex worms, mine loves them. Also the betta can get in on that to!

[annageckos]

That is why I said 'normal'. Current ripping through the tank is not good, but that is not the 'normal' tank. If the water falls and inch or so, that is fine. I don't think it is normal for the water to fall four inches. Avoid extreams and you will be fine with your frogs.

[Garrett]

My frogs do okay with the current from my HOBs on my 55-granted, the water only drops about a finger width, but all the same they spend most of their time on the bottom of the tank. They do the 'moment of zen' thing where they stretch out their limbs all the time, you get used to it after a while. I have a pretty heavily planted tank and I do see them on occasion resting on a large leaf or stem as opposed to the bottom.

[Frances9]

Thank you all sooooooo very much. I am feeling much better. Can't say enough about the wonderful info (not to mention your extreme patience) I've rec'd here. Hopefully I've learned enough that my frogs will live a long happy life!

[jay2487]

That is why I said 'normal'. Current ripping through the tank is not good, but that is not the 'normal' tank. If the water falls and inch or so, that is fine. I don't think it is normal for the water to fall four inches. Avoid extreams and you will be fine with your frogs.

That is why I said unlike most care sheets tell you to do which is not fill to the top because of escape worries, you should fill closer to the top if your using an HOB otherwise it is rough on the frog. See we agree after all:hmm3grin2orange:
Personally I won't use an HOB on a frog tank at all just for that reason