First post! Feeding question

[MonsterPyxie]

Hi all, great forum, having fun reading threads and seeing all the pictures of the giant's and dwarfs.

I have a giant that I just got a little over a week ago from "reptmart" the website. I paid about $65 with overnight shipping, which my frog arrived in perfect condition, maybe a little on the slender side would be my only complaint.

age is "about 1 month" when I got him, so "about 1 1/2 month's" now, haha.

I would say he is atleast and inch from snout to vent.


my question is, my little guy is VERY VERY aggressive. He will attack anything around him that moves when hungry. after a bit of feeding he decides hes full, and shy's away.

I have a small colony of dubia roches going, probably about 1500 roaches. It is mixed with lobsters, so I have been feeding the lobsters off to the pyxie. My question is about the amount im giving him.

I am feeding him med/large lobster, and med/small dubia. Most are about his length in body, so almost an inch the roach itself. He will eat anywhere from 5 to about 15 at this size. He ate 15 the day before last, but most where med/small dubia.

after a while he will start to shy away, so I know he is full, and I stop feeding him.


my girlfriend won't let go the fact that the roaches are about the same length as he is. I tried to tell her that to my knowledge the Pyxie is mostly stomic, so as long as it fits in his mouth, he can pretty much swallow it and be fine. but the day I fed him about 15, it just gave me a mental image of them all stacked up ontop of each other in his poor little stomic, making him ready to burst.

So what do you think? is it ok to feed him roaches about his body length, or should I feed him smaller sizes?


If it helps, im keeping his temperature during the day at 77 to 82 depending on how hot outside it is, effecting the inside temperature of the bathroom (where I have him.) at night he gets down to about 75 degrees if I leave the heater off. Heat is provided by a small heating pad. The pad is hooked up to a programer/probe that I can set the temperature to what I want. It's kinda hard to manage because the temperature in the bathroom changes so much from morning to the afternoon.

His enclosure is unique shaped, but about the size of 5 gallons. I have about 4-5 inchs substrate of "ecodirt" with two water sources. Due to our DRY climate in colorado, I keep his substrate VERY moist, and he gets misted 1-2 times a day.

He stays burrowed 99% of the day, and I only have been feeding him when he digs himself out. I find him about every other day sitting in his water dish with a fresh poop in there, and thats when I feed him (after cleaning up the mess)

Also I have been handing him after feeding. I've only done this twice, and it was because before feeding I didn't want to get bit, or stress him out to where he wouldn't eat. But then again, handling after eating might stress him out enough to regurgitate?


anyway, I am rambling now, so I will end my first post here. Looking forward to a few tips. I can already see myself owning a few more Pyxies! Ultimate goal is to give him a large tank in the living room, with a very exotic set up, to show him off

I will post picture soon. Computer is on the frits so im posting this at work. Once I get my computer back up I will post pictures.

Oh and one last thing. I've named my frog "Junk"

[John]

I generally recommend feeding these guys as much as they will eat in 15-20 minutes a few times per week. You are correct that he can manage large food items. However, he will be able to digest smaller food items more fully than larger ones.

[Sublime]

Check out the care sheet for pixie frogs written by John under the 'Care Articles' tab to find more information to your unanswered questions. The rule is you should be feeding him feeder insects that are half his length. Feeding time should be for 15 minutes as much as he can eat daily for a baby. Temps during the day 80-85, with a slight drop at night time, but not necessary (I keep the temps the same for mine). Actually with your baby you might want to watch how much he eats and decide whether or not that is too much for him because babies tend to just eat and eat till they bloat up. Where is your heat pad placed on your enclosure? If it is placed on the bottom and your frog is burrowing down to it he can dry up and die down there. If you're going to use a heat pad place it on the side of your cage.

[MonsterPyxie]

I generally recommend feeding these guys as much as they will eat in 15-20 minutes a few times per week. You are correct that he can manage large food items. However, he will be able to digest smaller food items more fully than larger ones.

thanks, thats what I've read. I will try to give him slightly smaller roaches. I'm going to supplement some worm's in too. Wal-mart fishing night crawlers ok to feed?

Check out the care sheet for pixie frogs written by John under the 'Care Articles' tab to find more information to your unanswered questions. The rule is you should be feeding him feeder insects that are half his length. Feeding time should be for 15 minutes as much as he can eat daily for a baby. Temps during the day 80-85, with a slight drop at night time, but not necessary (I keep the temps the same for mine). Actually with your baby you might want to watch how much he eats and decide whether or not that is too much for him because babies tend to just eat and eat till they bloat up. Where is your heat pad placed on your enclosure? If it is placed on the bottom and your frog is burrowing down to it he can dry up and die down there. If you're going to use a heat pad place it on the side of your cage.

Thanks for the advice. I'm still working on the temperature. I do have the heating pad on the bottom, but the programmer is working perfect. I have a additional temperature probe pushed down to the bottom of his enclosure to monitor temperatures, and when first regulating the temp. I had my wife hold up his enclosure just after the heating pad shut off, and I used a infrared temperature gun to check for hot spots, and there where none. So far so good.

with this in mind, do you think its still bad for the pad to be on bottom? I'm just afraid with the pad on the side his enclosure will not get up to the proper temp.

[MonsterPyxie]

You guys don't think its going to stress the little guy out to unbury him every day to feed him? I've just been feeding him when he is unburrowed, which is every other day or so.

[Sublime]

thanks, thats what I've read. I will try to give him slightly smaller roaches. I'm going to supplement some worm's in too. Wal-mart fishing night crawlers ok to feed?


Thanks for the advice. I'm still working on the temperature. I do have the heating pad on the bottom, but the programmer is working perfect. I have a additional temperature probe pushed down to the bottom of his enclosure to monitor temperatures, and when first regulating the temp. I had my wife hold up his enclosure just after the heating pad shut off, and I used a infrared temperature gun to check for hot spots, and there where none. So far so good.

with this in mind, do you think its still bad for the pad to be on bottom? I'm just afraid with the pad on the side his enclosure will not get up to the proper temp.

To answer your first question; Yeah walmart is great for night crawlers, just make sure it's the night crawlers that have nothing added to them for fishing like garlic and all that. There's the regular ones that just say large night crawlers in 12-25 ct, get those ones.

Well is there any way you could buy a lamp for the top of his cage and use the heating pad on the side for night time optional. As long as he's not burrowed down there for days upon time near the pad he should be fine, although I wouldn't recommend keeping it there. The heat pad on the side should provide good temps in there and he can move away or closer to it in the substrate if he needs to. The problem is with having the pad on the bottom is he'll just burrow and will dry up even though you have the temperature accordingly.

[Sublime]

You guys don't think its going to stress the little guy out to unbury him every day to feed him? I've just been feeding him when he is unburrowed, which is every other day or so.

No, as long as he's not trying to aestivate due to certain environment in his cage (dry, cold weather), he shouldn't get too stressed out. I do this with my little guy when he has his head popped out while being burrowed to feed him in his water dish.

[MonsterPyxie]

Sounds good.

I picked up some worms today from walmart, after a few hours of them being on the counter getting up to room temp, I went and checked on my Pyxie, and he had his little head poking out of the dirt. I pulled him out into his dish. He gobbled up two worms aggressively, then wanted nothing to do with the rest. He then jumped out of his bowl, and began digging down into the substrate immediately.

just now I was in the room and peaked in, and he was in his bowl again. I offered him the worms, and he ate one more, then again ignored the rest I tried.

so not sure if he likes the worms over the dubia. He jumped on the dubia instantly, didn't think he would due to there dark color blending in with the dirt.

So we will see. the worms where like $2.50 or 2.90 for 35 I think, so I will just offer those first, and then a few roaches and see how that goes.

[Sublime]

Yeah night crawlers are a great staple diet, so are dubias. Night crawlers have a high nutritional value and they're super easy to keep just by storing in the fridge. Sounds like you got a happy frog. I feed mine night crawlers and crickets as of now, hopefully I can get to breeding some dubias pretty soon here for my pixie, dubias are preferred over crickets.

[MonsterPyxie]

well more then anything I bet he is going after the dubia better because of there movement. The worms where staying under the water and moving around, so he didn't really see them? or just couldn't grab them. So I laid them over the side of the dish, and that didn't really help.

the dubia he just goes after no issue.

I think the dubia will be my staple. They are "free" at the moment because they will be self sustaining pretty soon, so that is a big perk and the main reason I want them as the main food sorce. My colony is about 1,500 strong, with 50 adult mixed breeders on the way to spark the colony a little more since im pretty heavy on SMALL nymph's. The worms I will use to mix it up, and then throw in a pinkie mouse every month or so.

In about a month to two month's im sure I'll be up to my ears in roaches due to me not needing to feed too many off right now. So If you'd like we can work out a deal, and you can buy a starter colony off me. 200-300 roaches would double themselves in 1-2 months time pretty easy. After 6 months you probably would have to start giving them away or selling them.

So if your interested let me know, as I will probably be selling the extra local to me.

Rob

[BG]

Welcome to the site,your'e def in the right place. Mine love to burry them selfs after they eat. Keep up the good work, feeding him different foods. Just make sure the temp is right,and the water bowl clean . He should be ok with everyones advice. Belive me ,mine did.

[Sublime]

well more then anything I bet he is going after the dubia better because of there movement. The worms where staying under the water and moving around, so he didn't really see them? or just couldn't grab them. So I laid them over the side of the dish, and that didn't really help.

the dubia he just goes after no issue.

I think the dubia will be my staple. They are "free" at the moment because they will be self sustaining pretty soon, so that is a big perk and the main reason I want them as the main food sorce. My colony is about 1,500 strong, with 50 adult mixed breeders on the way to spark the colony a little more since im pretty heavy on SMALL nymph's. The worms I will use to mix it up, and then throw in a pinkie mouse every month or so.

In about a month to two month's im sure I'll be up to my ears in roaches due to me not needing to feed too many off right now. So If you'd like we can work out a deal, and you can buy a starter colony off me. 200-300 roaches would double themselves in 1-2 months time pretty easy. After 6 months you probably would have to start giving them away or selling them.

So if your interested let me know, as I will probably be selling the extra local to me.

Rob

Oh that's weird, the first time I fed my pixie worms in the water he instantly started diving with his mouth until he got one. How high is the water in his dish? Haha yeah man you're definitely going to overwhelmed with so much dubias for one frog. I'm definitely interested in getting a starter colony right now, if you hooked me up or something I would maybe consider it soon. The problem is I could buy them locally at a reptile shop near my house, so I think you would be better off just selling them locally on Craigslist or something. Thanks for the offer though.

[MonsterPyxie]

Welcome to the site,your'e def in the right place. Mine love to burry them selfs after they eat. Keep up the good work, feeding him different foods. Just make sure the temp is right,and the water bowl clean . He should be ok with everyones advice. Belive me ,mine did.

Thanks!

The burrowing threw me off a bit. I knew they like to do it, but not as much as he does. I'm sure once he gets more size he won't burrow so much.

Oh that's weird, the first time I fed my pixie worms in the water he instantly started diving with his mouth until he got one. How high is the water in his dish? Haha yeah man you're definitely going to overwhelmed with so much dubias for one frog. I'm definitely interested in getting a starter colony right now, if you hooked me up or something I would maybe consider it soon. The problem is I could buy them locally at a reptile shop near my house, so I think you would be better off just selling them locally on Craigslist or something. Thanks for the offer though.

well today was different still. middle of the day found him in his dish so I offered him the worms. he kept missing them so I held one up in front of him, and he would grab it, then spit it right back out. Made me think he just had a bad grip or something, but he kept spitting it out.

So I just went with the dubia, and he went N-U-T-S!!

He freaking leaped a good 3 inch's and grabbed that thing. I was kind shocked how quick it jumped! So gave him a minute to get it down, dropped in another and BAM he snatched it up in a fury.

again dropped in another that went to the other side of the tank, the Pyxie spun around in a flash, and just chased it down.

I was shocked with the aggression! he was going nuts!

He ate about 5 roaches, then with me not being so careful was trying to push the roach in his direction and I must have scared the little guy with my quick hand movement or something, because he darted to the corner of the tank, was trying to jump through the plastic, then was trying to burrow poor little dude.

I felt bad so I put his lid back on and left the room.


The water is in a shallow dish, and only goes up to his neck/shoulder area, so its not deep at all. so idk why he was ignoring the worms but being RABID over the dubia. very interesting.

As far as the roaches, If im going to sell them, its not going to be for a profit. I'm not really worried about making money off them man. I would expect to be covered for my time, as far as picking through the roaches, and packing them up, also to cover the shipping, but anything above that im not worried about. Even if I sell them local im just going to expect people pretty much just compensate me for my time.

Thats cool that you have a local reptile shop with dubia, we only have a few reptile shops, and there all pretty much garbage.

Rob

[Sublime]

Thanks!

The burrowing threw me off a bit. I knew they like to do it, but not as much as he does. I'm sure once he gets more size he won't burrow so much.




well today was different still. middle of the day found him in his dish so I offered him the worms. he kept missing them so I held one up in front of him, and he would grab it, then spit it right back out. Made me think he just had a bad grip or something, but he kept spitting it out.

So I just went with the dubia, and he went N-U-T-S!!

He freaking leaped a good 3 inch's and grabbed that thing. I was kind shocked how quick it jumped! So gave him a minute to get it down, dropped in another and BAM he snatched it up in a fury.

again dropped in another that went to the other side of the tank, the Pyxie spun around in a flash, and just chased it down.

I was shocked with the aggression! he was going nuts!

He ate about 5 roaches, then with me not being so careful was trying to push the roach in his direction and I must have scared the little guy with my quick hand movement or something, because he darted to the corner of the tank, was trying to jump through the plastic, then was trying to burrow poor little dude.

I felt bad so I put his lid back on and left the room.


The water is in a shallow dish, and only goes up to his neck/shoulder area, so its not deep at all. so I dont know why he was ignoring the worms but being RABID over the dubia. very interesting.

As far as the roaches, If im going to sell them, its not going to be for a profit. I'm not really worried about making money off them man. I would expect to be covered for my time, as far as picking through the roaches, and packing them up, also to cover the shipping, but anything above that im not worried about. Even if I sell them local im just going to expect people pretty much just compensate me for my time.

Thats cool that you have a local reptile shop with dubia, we only have a few reptile shops, and there all pretty much garbage.

Rob

Haha that's funny how your little guy is obsessed with the dubias right now. Just keep feeding him those regularly and try a worm or two ever now and then and see what he does. My pixie gets scared when I'm picking him up to move him out of the way when changing his water dish, but he'll get used to it soon. He already got used to me holding him somewhat, he'll just stay in the palm of my hand for awhile now. It's pretty sweet. Yeah your water dish is fine, he's just a little picky right now. Yeah I understand about the dubias, I guess I would be thinking that same way if I had a ridiculous amount. What do you gutload the dubias with? There's about 3 LLLReptile shops in driving distance, one other reptile shop I forgot the name of, and Prehistoric Pets (Pretty popular reptile shop).

[MonsterPyxie]

Haha that's funny how your little guy is obsessed with the dubias right now. Just keep feeding him those regularly and try a worm or two ever now and then and see what he does. My pixie gets scared when I'm picking him up to move him out of the way when changing his water dish, but he'll get used to it soon. He already got used to me holding him somewhat, he'll just stay in the palm of my hand for awhile now. It's pretty sweet. Yeah your water dish is fine, he's just a little picky right now. Yeah I understand about the dubias, I guess I would be thinking that same way if I had a ridiculous amount. What do you gutload the dubias with? There's about 3 LLLReptile shops in driving distance, one other reptile shop I forgot the name of, and Prehistoric Pets (Pretty popular reptile shop).

Well I got my shipment from the roach cafe, so now I have 150 more adult's, so breeding should really be off and running. I don't have too big of an amount, around 1500, with most being babies. But here in about 3 months, im sure i will be up to my ears in the little creepy crawler's.

Right now they are geting oranges, potatos, and canned cat food. oranges to spike breeding, potatos for carb's and water, then the catfood for protien. The dubia don't seem to like the cat food much, so I might try another brand or something.

the reason I say 3 months is because I'm counting the amount im feeding to how fast they SHOULD be having babies, and its pretty much 5 to 1. 5 born for every one that I feed. so by time the babies I have now mature, It will be a mad house, haha.

[Sublime]

Nice, nice. Try using dry high protein cat food a little ground up, not the wet stuff. Also carrots are a great addition if you got them.

[MonsterPyxie]

Nice, nice. Try using dry high protein cat food a little ground up, not the wet stuff. Also carrots are a great addition if you got them.

yea i was reading that this morning on a bug forum. They said the wet catfood is not the way to go... but I see a lot of people using it still. idk if I can grind up the old cat food. the wife might get made if I use our machine of cat food, haha

[Sublime]

yea i was reading that this morning on a bug forum. They said the wet catfood is not the way to go... but I see a lot of people using it still. idk if I can grind up the old cat food. the wife might get made if I use our machine of cat food, haha

Haha, you could buy an inexpensive coffee grinder hand press one to do small amounts of cat food at a time. Although that's not completely necessary, there's other ways of crushing up cat food. I just use a spoon right now to crush it up and there still is big pieces, but the crickets are just like ants and carry that big piece with them. The only thing that is annoying about that is they leave with dry cat food everywhere in the bin when they carry it.