African dwarf frog is not eating

[Africandwarffrogowner]

I just got three African dwarf frogs and two seem happy and healthy and are eating well, while the third has only eaten once and I got home from work to find that he had climbed up onto the leaf of one of my fake plants in the tank. I'm worried that something is wrong because he seemed pretty unresponsive. Is this normal? If not, what can I do to try to fix it? I'm really really concerned. Thanks.

 

[Lucy]

HI

When did you get them?
What size tank?
Are there other places for the fogs to hide out to feel secure?
What else is in the tank besides the frogs?
Readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

It might be normal. Frogs do like to hang out sometimes. The answers to the above questions might help rules things out.

 

[Africandwarffrogowner]

HI

When did you get them?
What size tank?
Are there other places for the fogs to hide out to feel secure?
What else is in the tank besides the frogs?
Readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

It might be normal. Frogs do like to hang out sometimes. The answers to the above questions might help rules things out.

I got them two nights ago. They're in a 10 gallon tank (that I cycled before getting them) with coffee cups for them to hide in (the other two love to go in them). The frogs are the only species in the tank. I'll have to do tests on ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates in the morning, but when I checked yesterday, ammonia was close to 0ppm, as was the nitrite level, and the nitrates were at about 30ppm. I was going to wait a couple of days before doing a water change, but could do one sooner if you think that would help. I also just found him hanging around by the heater (at the surface on the suction cup for the heater).

 

[Lucy]

Coffee cups.....are they painted or glazed?
If yes, remove them immediately and do a huge water change. They can leech toxins into the water.
Frogs absorb these toxins through their skin.

A few years ago I almost poisoned my frogs with a glazed dish.
They started acting like your frog. Hanging at the top, not eating.

Once I figured out that was the only thing that was new and removed it along with a good water change they went back to normal.
Close one!

Plain clay terra cotta pots are aquarium safe

Hopefully that's the issue if there even is an issue. Sometimes they just like a comfy place at the top to rest.

 

[Africandwarffrogowner]

Coffee cups.....are they painted or glazed?
If yes, remove them immediately and do a huge water change. They can leech toxins into the water.
Frogs absorb these toxins through their skin.

A few years ago I almost poisoned my frogs with a glazed dish.
They started acting like your frog. Hanging at the top, not eating.

Once I figured out that was the only thing that was new and removed it along with a good water change they went back to normal.
Close one!

Plain clay terra cotta pots are aquarium safe

Hopefully that's the issue if there even is an issue. Sometimes they just like a comfy place at the top to rest.

I think that's it! I read a bunch of articles saying to use coffee cups as shelters, but they all failed to mention the painted/glazed thing! I'll remove them promptly and get some clay terra cotta pots tomorrow to put in there. Even if he (or she, I haven't been able to sex this one yet) is fine, this could've turned bad fast! Thank you so so so much!!!

 

[Lucy]

He (she?) also may just like it there and everything is fine. They can do the oddest things that make us worry but turn out to be nothing.
Better safe than sorry though.

Keep us posted!

 

[Africandwarffrogowner]

So the ammonia level is in between .25ppm and .50ppm right now, the nitrite level is 0ppm, and nitrates are about 10ppm-20ppm. I did a partial water change this morning, I'll keep an eye on the levels to see if I need to do another one right away.

 

[Lucy]

How is your frog acting today?

 

[Africandwarffrogowner]

Before I left for work this morning he was not too active but not on the surface at all. He was also more responsive, so I'll see if he'll eat tonight! (I'm pretty sure it's a male but still not 100% sure)

 

[Lucy]

That's good.
If it was the glaze from the coffee cups it might be a good idea to do more water changes to get any residual toxins out of the water.

 

[Africandwarffrogowner]

I'll do more water changes. The clay terra cotta pots I got for the tank have little holes in the bottom that I fear the frogs might try to go through and get stuck, what would be safe to use to cover up the hole?

 

[Lucy]

Anything really. A piece of filter sponge a small pebble, filter floss. Anything that is safe for aquariums that can be shoved in the hole.

There are tiny clay pots where the hole is too small for a fog to fit through. Some of the ones I have don't have a hole.

 

[Africandwarffrogowner]

I filled the holes with filter sponge and it seems like it'll work really well! He still isn't eating yet though, is there something I can try feeding him besides bloodworms? (None of them will eat the pellets I got for them, only the bloodworms).

 

[Lucy]

I feed mine frozen brine shrimp
These are are foods one of our members recommends

Mysis shrimp; brine-shrimp; glassworms (mosquito larvae); Bloodworms (best fed sparingly, if at all); beefheart; blackworms; tubifex worms; earthworms; whiteworms; talapia fish; tuna or salmon steak; shrimp, mussels and prawns (from the grocery store); gammarus and krill (not particular favourites but some frogs will eat them); even canned tuna or cooked chicken breast (but these are messy); smaller frogs will eat smaller foods such as daphnia (water-fleas), cyclops (water fleas), bosmidea (water fleas). Although liver is sometimes recommended, it should probably be avoided since there is new evidence to suggest that feeding liver can cause vitamin A toxicity (personally, I believe this to be true).

 

[Africandwarffrogowner]

I have three ADFs and one won't eat the bloodworms at all. I'm going to get brine shrimp today, but would also like a good pellet or flake food for some variety. I'm nervous if I can't get the one who won't eat the bloodworms by tonight, he might die. He seemed fine when I left for work today, but I guess early this morning he was on his back (almost appearing dead)... Help???

Also, I feed them using plastic tweezers. The other two eat every time I feed them, I haven't seen the third one eat at all though and he doesn't even acknowledge the bloodworms right in front of his face.

 

[ErinE]

I couldn't keep them alive. They need perfect water conditions and need to be pretty much spoon fed. I've read about feeding them on a dish so they learn to eat in the same place and feeding them with tweezers.

 

[Africandwarffrogowner]

I'm getting frozen brine shrimp today hopefully, but he was on his back this morning before I got up apparently, which happened last time I had frogs before it died. He seemed fine before I left for work today though, so I'm not sure. I'm really anxious to see if he's okay.

I couldn't keep them alive. They need perfect water conditions and need to be pretty much spoon fed. I've read about feeding them on a dish so they learn to eat in the same place and feeding them with tweezers.

The water conditions are fine, that's not the problem. It's just one of them not eating from the tweezers. I think I just might need a new kind of food. That was my question.

 

[Lemonz13]

I had the same problem when I had 3 ADFs. Two were plump but the third one would never react when I tried feeding him. That one eventually died while I had it in qt. the other two are still swimming though.

The third one I had only took a bit of food when I fed him the first couple days in the qt tank, but I think that was just dumb luck

Have you tried taking him out separately to feed him/leaving him with the food for a bit in a small dish so he learns he can eat it.

The two I still have eat bloodworms, and occasionally eat the shrimp pellets that I have for the fish. But a varied diet never hurts!

 

[maggie thecat]

Mine will eat the sinking bottom feeder pellets from Hikari. I break them into quarters and give the frogs a few when I'm feeding my other tanks. They also liked frozen glass worms and ablend called Emerald Entree. ( I thaw cubes of different foods and feed the blend.)

Target feeding is important. A small dish or plate can make a world of difference.

 

[Lucy]

Mine have fallen over on their backs and just laid there because they are silly that way but coupled with the way he was at the top before, I just don't know

Hoping for the best that's for sure.

 

[Ozzy]

This morning I found one of my frogs on his back. I thought he was dead but thankfully he moved albeit weakly. So I took him out and put him in a little one gallon so I can monitor him.

I hand feed my frogs to make sure they eat but he will not take anything I offer him. I left some food in the iso tank hoping maybe he'd be able to grab food easier.

The other one is just as spunky as ever so I'm confused. This one has never been a very enthusiastic eater, only takes a single shrimp or bloodworm and be done.

Any suggestions on how I can help him?

 

[Coradee]

Moved this to the amphibians forum for you to help get the best responses

 

[skar]

I've not had troubles with adf frogs so I'm not experienced in fixing sick frogs.

I feed mine a cube of beef heart without tongs or basters or any issues.
Yours sounds weak so I'm not sure that info will help you.

Hope it does.

 

[Lucy]

HI Ozzy how is your frog today?
Have you ruled out water issues like ammonia nitrite and nitrate?
How long have you had him? What size tank and what tank mates?

 

[Ozzy]

Sorry for the late reply, unfortunately he passed away. the water was fine , he was in a tank with another adf who is still doing great and a betta who's doing fine as well. I think he could've had some underlying problems that weren't visible. Thank you guys though I really appreciate the help!

Oh and the tank is a 5 gal

 

[Lucy]

Aw, sorry to hear.
Glad the betta and other frog are doing well though.

 

[Sofievinson7787]

HI guys! I’m not a beginner to freshwater pets but I have 2 African dwarf frogs. One I got from a whole different store then the other. I have one who is super fat (arrow) he’s all healthy just a chubby frog. Then Cole who I got a week ago and he is super scrawny. I have them in different tanks because Cole is so small (idk why) and arrow is literally big and he would think he’s good so I kept them apart. I’ve had Cole for a week and tried feeding him bloodworms which is what arrow loves. Cole didn’t like that so I fed him some fish food just to see he didn’t like the normal pellets or the fruit protein pellets! Which my Betta loves. So I went and spent so much money on thing to help him eat. I got him shrimp and frog and tadpole pellets but I think he’s too small for any of it but he won’t even nibble it! He loves floating at the top and it scares me lol but he is totally fine just a chill frog. He hasn’t eaten in 6 days and he’s turning yellow. I don’t have a heater but have a thermometer and also his water is clean I have ph strips. Help me please. My buddy can’t die I literally love him. Please help me someone! Thank you! -Sofie

 

[bizaliz3]

Have you just been putting the food in there for him to find? Or have you tried hand feeding him?

 

[Sofievinson7787]

Yeah, I got him to eat 2 frog pebbles and a worm last night but he’s so tiny he could barely eat the worm and he wouldn’t eat today. I’m getting super worried because he’s kinda turning white but looking better since he ate. I hand fed him but he still wouldn’t eat today.

 

[75g Discus Tank]

I would feed more frozen foods like bloodworms. Then, slowly transition to pellets.

 

[Sofievinson7787]

I feed my other African dwarf frog arrow bloodworms and he loves them.. but they aren’t frozen. Are they supposed to be??

 

[bitseriously]

Frozen means they’re sold packaged in little frozen trays (think minI ice cube tray) at the pet store, then kept in your freezer at home till ur ready to use them, one cube at a time. U don’t feed them to the frogs still frozen.
Is “arrow” bloodworms a typo?

 

[Sofievinson7787]

Haha no my frogs name is arrow lol but I drop a frozen cube in their tank from the freezer? My frog is so small he can barely eat little pellets he can barely eat a bloodworm it’s crazy how tiny he is.

 

[bitseriously]

U can thaw a cube in an inch of tank water in a cup, then feed all or part of it to the frogs (if u only feed part, the cup w leftovers can go in the feidge till next feeding). Or you can plonk a whole frozen cube in the tank to thaw there, IF:
- you plan on feeding the whole cube, AND
- there are no fish that will gobble up the thawing bloodworms as they thaw and sink, ie eating them before frogs get some.
Also, not sure if this product is avail where u are, but Petsmart here in Canada has frozen mini bloodworms, which I’ve fed to baby frogs successfully.

 

[Sofievinson7787]

Awesome thank you!! I will do that and tell you how it went!!!

 

[Sofievinson7787]

I am so worried! I got my two African dwarf frogs a new tank about a week ago. It’s so much bigger for them. For the whole week I saw nonstop swimming they were so happy!! One of my frogs looked pregnant but I didn’t think she was Friday because I think they’re both girls so obviously they can’t lol. Last night I came home to one on its back suffering and couldn’t get up. WHY?! He was so healthy and happy!!! The day before!!!!!!!! I feed them the same and everything! So I went to bed and woke up to the other one suffering! It’s so wield because it looks like their legs are broken.... it’s so sad to watch. Their tank is 65 degrees and I know that’s way to cold I forgot to put their heater in! Could they be freezing to death? I just don’t think that’s it because they were so happy and swimming before. I have not changed their diet or anything. Anyone have suggestions??

Could the bloodworms I’m using kill them?? I’ve read bloodworms have killed people’s awuarium life before! I also do pellets? HELP! I don’t think they have much longer then today they’re not moving at all but not at top of the tank

Also do they float or sink when they die?? One of mine is upside down not moving anymore on the bottom of the tank I’m freaking out!!! Most depressing sight ever

 

[Buganjimo]

Can you post pictures? It sounds like it’s dead, so scoop it out and put it in a small cup or something just incase it isnt

 

[Sofievinson7787]

Can you post pictures? It sounds like it’s dead, so scoop it out and put it in a small cup or something just incase it isnt

One was dead and I brought him to the dr (PetSmart here has a fish dr) and they took him and and flipped him on his stomach and pushed on his stomach and they said he is as hard as a rock.. they were so freaking happy the day before I don’t know what the heck happened!! And it’s like the other one caught it from him?????? The other one was alive but he’s at the dr right now.. waiting for them to call me to tell me how he is doing. What do you think happened??

 

[Cicca]

We've had him for 3 days, and he's not eating. We bought the little bottle of frog pellets. I add 3 pellets per day, they all sink to the sub where the shrimp eventually locate and eat them, any tricks or tips on getting mine to eat?
My tank set up is about the same as yours, 10 gallon w/ plants, heat.

 

[Accents]

Cicca, do you have frozen food? I used to have frogs that were quite picky, they eventually refused to eat pellets and I had to feed them various frozen foods instead. They may also still be stressed out, or maybe the food is not fragrant enough?

 

[Adfowner878]

We've had him for 3 days, and he's not eating. We bought the little bottle of frog pellets. I add 3 pellets per day, they all sink to the sub where the shrimp eventually locate and eat them, any tricks or tips on getting mine to eat?
My tank set up is about the same as yours, 10 gallon w/ plants, heat.

I bought tongs and fed them with it.

 

[Cicca]

I bought tonsg and fed them with it.

I will look into that. You could be on to something, he might not like the food...

Thanks for the reply dear. I really am sorry to hear about your loss.

 

[Princethepurplebetta]

Are you feeding in the morning or night? Mine won't eat unless the lights are off.

 

[Obie]

So yesterday I went and bought 3 African dwarf frogs, i’ve had some before but they all died for the same reason, they weren’t eating. So this time I decided to try out a tank with only adf, but they still won't eat. I give them Freeze dried bloodworms and ZooMed aquatic frog and tadpole food.

 

[dragonflyaquatics]

ADFs are supposed to be pretty bad at eating, I've never personally had them, but I know that you are supposed to feed them in the same place every time. I think people put a small dish in the tank to put the food in, or even use a turkey baster to target feed them since they have terrible vision. Have you tried frozen bloodworms? They might like that better than pellets or freeze dried bloodworms.

 

[Kjeldsen]

Assuming the tank is cycled and water parameters are all good? What usually works for me is offering them their favorite food right off the bat - frozen-thawed bloodworms. Yummy. Never had any luck with freeze-dried, but they always go nuts for the juicy frozen ones, delivered via turkey baster where they can't miss them. If just one eats, the others will likely follow suit because like little kids they always want what the others have. So that's how I start them off, and once they start eating they'll be little piggies, eating pellets and just about anything else. Keep us posted.

 

[maggie thecat]

Freeze dried food isn't especially good for them, even after it's been reconstituted. Frozen and thawed bloodworms, brine shrimp , mosquito larva, and other meaty larva type foods are the way to go. Beefheart is no longer recommended as a regular food, because it's overrich and can cause organ damage over time.

 

[OiFisho]

I got 2 african dwarf frogs a couple weeks ago for a new betta tank and now they're not eating! At least I don't see them eat. I have 2 mickeymouse platies and a guppy with them. I've started feeding them twice a day to make sure they get food but I still don't know if they're eating! They move around every once in a while during the day(And yes, I know they are nocturnal). I feed them once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Also, they used to sleep in a shipwreck decoration with the betta, now neither of them do, I'd appreciate some thoughts on that. The tank has a couple fake plants, a skull decoration, and 2 marimo moss balls.

 

[oliviast4r]

when I first got my adf's they didn't eat for a while or at least I never saw them eat also. I don't know exactly what I had to do to get them to start eating but I started to put food more to the area of where they are because I read somewhere that they're practically blind. I don't know if this info can help but hopefully it can.

 

[OiFisho]

The thing is, is that they were eating, but now they're not.