(pics) Worried About New Adf (ammonia, Fungus?) Tank Backstory.

So I have a huge mystery snail, and I just got a baby one, as well as a baby African dwarf frog. I'm new to frogs, and I'm fairly certain I let it down and it's going to die.

(Backstory to tank)
I don't think my tank was fully cycled? We had seven guppies (did not buy all at once) and we just lost our last one tonight. I'm starting to think it's an ammonia build up (nitrates and nitrites are all good, no change in the ph or anything else), but I can't be sure. For all I know, the last two guppies we added were sick, and it spread to the others. When we got them, we got the original 3, they did fine for at least a week, probably closer to 2 weeks. They got along great, they ate, they swam all over the tank. Then I added 1 more. (Someone bought up the males except the one). Then another trip, we got another 1 (it's a long trip to the pet store, and again, local breeders bought most up). I eventually went to a place even further away, and we got the last two. Had the tank in actual use for the past two months with no issues, but as soon as I added the last two in, one or two of the guppies started to seem like it was bullying. One fish is particular seemed to get harassed the most, and was the first dead. At first, I thought maybe it was just stress. It didn't show signs of illness that I could see. But then they all eventually one by one started to act the same. One would die, few days later, another. So on. I kind of noticed some red spots and such, or bare areas. Started thinking maybe ammonia burns or something. I do have a few pictures of some of the dead guppies if anyone wants to see.

But, the past few days I've noticed that the snails are hanging out more on or around the filter, and the frog hides under the tree during the day, or sometimes in the corner, at the top, by the filter. It's more active at night and explores more... but I just found it outside of the water. And in all my research, I haven't seen anyone mention their frogs going out of the water. So now I'm starting to think the water must be REALLY bad if he's trying to get out :/ Ammonia test strips are already ordered and on the way, as well as more aeration for the tank, and some Prime (it's a 10 gallon, just using the filter that came with the kit. One of the Top Fin starter kits I believe.) I will be doing a water change tomorrow to try to get rid of the ammonia I assume is the issue.

But I also just read this in one of the threads from 2008 I believe.

"Chytridiomycosis is a highly contagious disease caused by the Chytrid Fungus.
This fungus lives on a frogs skin, when the infected frog comes in contact with another frog, the spores attach themselves to the healthy frog where it reproduces.
The symptoms include not eating, floating all the time or hiding all the time, bad looking skin, when the frog sheds, it comes off in shreds. Wanting to climb out of the water and thrashing about.
This disease can take over a month to show it's symptoms and is almost always 100% fatal."

And I'm starting to think that is also an issue. I just got the frog a few days ago, but it hides a lot, and is climbing out of the water, and sometimes seems like he is scratching eyes (noticed few minutes after he went back in the water) and I don't know if the loose skin is from shedding, or maybe ammonia burning his skin off or what :/ I took a few pics, the best I could get, sorry :/ I think it also looks really skinny, but I don't know if it's because it's a baby, or if it's because it's lethargic from ammonia, etc. I have algae wafers for the snails it might be munching on, but I also have frog pellets. I've seen it pecking at it a little, but I also see it just sitting there a lot and either the snails will eventually get, or I take it out with a turkey baster so it's not rotting away. I do weekly water changes, at least 50%, but I also take out any extra food and poop I see with the turkey baster every day. I will gladly make any changes anyone suggests.

When I first saw him out of the water, I mean he was completely out. Like all I saw was his back legs because then it was the tank cover.

 

Definitely a good step on getting test strips, but I would highly recommend purchasing API Master Water Test Kit. It is worth it. Also, keep up the water changes and if you suspect it is a fungal infection try API Primafix and some aquarium salt. That frog needs some friends too. It is a community animal and it will need at least 2-3 more companions to feel comfortable.

 

I hate to say it, but he looks very bad. It probably won't eat either. ADFs are extremely sensitive to even small amounts of ammonia, so it climbs out of the water. At minimum they need a cycled stable tank for the best chance.

 

Thanks for the info guys! I'm going to move him to a smaller, older tank for now and hope for the best while I get the 10 gal fixed. The snails seem okay and I know they are sensitive to water quality, but... I also just read it's not good to have adf with snails. He seems to be a lot more active, not hiding as much, and I am going to try to feed him personally. I'm just worried he'll freak out and swim away. I watched a video on them shedding, and I think that's what I was seeing last night. I do have plants in the tank so I was hoping that it would help with ammonia, but fingers crossed it's not too late. After I get the 10 gal cycled (and staying that way for a least a month... because I hate what the poor guy is going through, I don't want any more mistakes), how many do you think would be okay in a 10 gal? I was worried about having more than one because I'm afraid of mating. I've heard that the males can squeeze the females to death and I don't want that happening (No fish with them, and also I will be putting the snails in a different tank as well.) As far as feeding, when they say tubifex worms (and do you guys recommend that, or to stay away?) do they mean actual worms? From what I saw at local store, it's just a gray cube of them all mashed together I would assume. Just want to be sure he's getting proper food, in case these pellets aren't great (plus, variety is good!)

 

When I had ADFs I fed them Frozen Blood worms, but any type of sinking food will work well. Tubifex worms are small skinny aquatic worms that fish and other aquatic animals feed on and you can actually raise them yourself if you look into it. I would recommend max of 5-7 in a ten gallon. You can ask for all male or all female frogs. They are easily sexed and you can recognize males due to a red dot under their front armpits and smaller size. I have not heard of males squeezing females too hard though. It shouldn't be an issue.