correct set up?

[kurt hallas]

im new, i have 2 green american tree frogs had them around a month when i got them i was told they needed only a substrate and food ect and water but as i read up after i got them there seem to be other requirements any help?

also one of my frogs seems to be severely ill it lost all its weight rapidly and wont move much looks like its struggling any help please im really worried i put him in a small tank on his own and tried to hand feed him but nothing ;.;

[jasonm96]

Hi

Was that a sale pitch from the pet shop? In reality, you might need heating and ideally a UVB bulb for lighting. They'll need things for hiding and climbing in the form of branches, jungle vines, cork bark and then live or artificial plants. The correct lighting, temperature and humidity are all important things for these animals.

They're most likely WC, they're seldom offered as CB. This means they're usually stressed and may have disease. It's best to set them up simple at first and use kitchen roll as a substrate so you can see if the feces are well formed or runny. Runny means disease. If the temperatures are too cool, they will go off food. I've personally found my green tree frogs to be gannets.

[kurt hallas]

i have artificial plants and vines a cork board a log and a cave made of stones. the substrate im using is orchid bark is this correct? and when you say simple could you give a brief example?

[jasonm96]

Orchid bark is fine but make sure not too keep it too wet and that the pieces are large enough that the frog can't eat them. I would use kitchen roll until the quarantine period is over. Sorry, just basic as in easy to clean and not too many plants where you might find it hard to monitor the frog or feces. So kitchen roll substrate which is slightly moistened and changed daily, then a couple plastic plants a vine or branch, cork bark placed on the wall and a heat and light source.

[kurt hallas]

ok thank you for your infomation and help i will get a light source and heat source this weekend and will monitor the feces like you said thanks again

[jasonm96]

No problem. Do you have a thermometer? I keep my frogs in the mid 70s just now, with the room they're in bu they can tolerate quite a wide variety of temps. I would avoid going over 85oF. If you need heat I wouldn't bother with heat mats but instead a heat lamp, unless your tank is smaller than the 18x18x18 Exo terra, where heat
lamps may be overkill

[kurt hallas]

tanks not to big its originally a fish tank but never had fish in it i think its a 25 litre

[jasonm96]

The minimum for these frogs is 45 litres (10 gallon) but preferably a 20 gallon or 18x18x18 Exo Terra

[kurt hallas]

roughly 40 cm long x 40 cm high x 30 wide

[jasonm96]

Think that's 48L, so about fine as the minimum. I would make sure that the top is full screen tho and not an aquarium hood, Treefrogs like their ventilation

[jasonm96]

You might get off with a very low wattage heat lamp 15-25w for heat or even the UVB if your rooms not too cool