Frog shedding?

[Azurescriber]

I have a new dwarf aquatic frog, and it looks like he is shedding skin...is this normal? Could there be a problem, or a parasite that would look like that?

Thanks.

[cuckoochews]

I'm no expert on frogs, but as a kid I had wild frogs I would catch in the yard and they would shed a lot... And then eat it!

[Tiari]

ADF's will shed their skin, and then proceed to eat it. This is a regular event, and shouldn't be of any concern. Only if it sheds in pieces or, the frog seems to have sloughing off skin it can't remove should you worry.

[Azurescriber]

Ok good! I was worried, he is so cute!

Also, I've had him for almost a week now, and I haven't seen him eat...will they scavange off the ground for food? The food is gone but his betta tankmate seems clever enough to get it. He seems fine, definitely not lethargic.

[cardiocentric]

the first time mine did this it looked like little ghost frog slime was floating in the tank... a little creepy but it reminds me of a snake shedding their skin underwater.

[Tiari]

If you have a Betta in the tank with him, you will have to target/hand feed your frog. If you don't its pretty likely that the frog will end up starving to death in time. Pet stores will tell you that ADF will simply "find the food" on the bottom, which in a frog only tank, is probably true. However, with a "food guzzler" like a Betta, he will -never- get any.

ADF also have very poor eyesight, finding food by smell generally. Its unlikely he will find food before the Betta does. The Betta may also "stalk" him if you simply drop in food especially for the frog.

To target feed, I have found the best way is to get 12 inch feeding tongs from the reptile section of the pet store. When using them, place dried blood worms on a plate and dampen the tips of the tongs in the tank, then grasp up some of the dried blood worms. Work them into the tong tips pinching until you get a good stuck clump. Don't worry if it seems stuck or cemented into the tongs, froggie will deal with that!

Once you have a clump, with the tongs pinched tight, reach them into the tank, and hold the tip of the tongs RIGHT in front of the frogs nose. WHen he starts going for it, pecking at it, release the tongs. Let him peck at the clump and he will pull it off in one go. Don't worry if it seems a bit large for him, he'll get it down, no problem.

Feed him two to three clumps of the worms, every other day. If at the third clump he isn't interested, and after several minutes hovering it in front of his nose he doesn't go for it, he's done.

If the frog is a baby, and most from pet stores are when you get them (roughly 1/2 inch long or less) feed one clump every day, until he reaches about an inch long, then begin spacing the meals out. If your frog is not going after the food, or is very lazy about it at the two day feedings, either feed less, or feed the same amount but feed every third day.

A full frog will have a distended belly, like it swallowed a full marble after a meal. The stomach will flatten out as it digests and should not remain distended. If the belly after a meal is overly distended, and stays that way for more than a day, you are probably feeding too much at one go.

This method works with several foods, freeze dried blood worms, freeze dried brine shrimp, and frozen blood worms. ADF need meaty foods such as blood worms, and will not do well if fed fish flakes. You can also try this tong method with "tadpole bites" if they are large enough for the tongs to hold them, but small enough for the frog to eat.

Hope this helps!

[Azurescriber]

Yes, thanks very much. The food was disappearing, but betta looks too satisfied with himself. I will have to get tongs immediately...if he hasn't been eating he must be sooo hungry! :(

cardiocentric, I saw a large hunk of frog skin floating through the tank soon after I posted...way gross, but glad he is not sick! :)

[cardiocentric]

i totally agree with the post about bettas above. i have a hard time keeping my female distracted when i'm even using the reptile tongs to feed individual bloodworms to each frog... she's really fat right now and i'm going to have to starve the tank for a few days now because she's a little piggy. BUT, the tongs really lessen the blow of having a fat betta and happy frogs.

[Azurescriber]

Tried target feeding the other day...worked like a charm! And I think I'm going to feed every other day, since the frog is a baby and there was a little leaked bloodworm that my betta got on top of his pellets. That is enough food, right? Until he gets bigger?

[Tiari]

As long as his little belly after eating gets a bulge to it, its enough food :)