New and have an SOS!

[Jcal]

Nope. Start using that water. Calcium is super important. I cant believe that guy told you that but please start using it. Its very important that you start using calcium with d3.

Look over the caresheet
Frog Forum - African Bullfrog - Pyxicephalus adspersus - Care and Breeding

[Sublime]

Sounds either stress related or developing MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease). Keep him in a quiet room where there isn't a lot of distractions - if you like and this helps... Cover 3 sides of the tank up with a dark material excluding the front view so he doesn't feel overwhelmed. Try to refrain on checking on him so much including handling if you guys are (Keep minimal as possible). Let him rest and try to give him a 'warm' soak tomorrow to help loosen his bowels to expel waste (15-20 minutes should do the trick).

The day temperatures are good that you have him at; how cold has it dropped since you've had a weather change. Does your pixie burrow completely under the dirt or keep his body out? Keep your frog on a daily feeding schedule, not all over the place. For example, since they're nocturnal - feed them at night every 2 nights at around 8:00-10:00 PM. At your pixies size they only need to eat every 2-3 days for 15-20 minutes.

Jcal mentioned about distilled water not containing beneficial minerals for them to absorb which is true. Since distilled water is produced through reverse osmosis it leaves pure H20. Buy Reptisafe dechlorinator at any local pet supply store - it will remove chlorine, ammonia, chloramines, metal traces, and additionally add calcium (Electrolytes) to the tap water.

Since the traces of calcium found in crickets after eating 'fortified calcium gutload' is minor, it's recommended to purchase a calcium supplement for dusting foods during the week. Calcium is useless though if it does not contain the Vitamin D3 in it since this essential vitamin is synthesized through a chemical process in the skin from the natural sun UVB wavelengths. For frogs, it's not recommended to keep them under UVB bulbs (UV radiation) - so that's why we supplement in the Vitamin D3 they lack in captivity that helps absorb and process the calcium throughout the body. Calcium w/ D3 should be supplemented every other feeding. It's also important to purchase a multivitamin to dust on their food once a week. Brands: Rep-Cal, Repashy, Flukers, T Rex, Reptivite.

If you're only feeding crickets, you should also be offering other foods in their diet. Earthworms and roaches are another great staple food. You can purchase earthworms priced a lot lower than pet supply stores at Walmart in the sporting goods sections. Just buy the ones that don't have any additives (Scents, dyes, flavorings, nitrogen).

Your pixie may be developing MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease) from several of factors you've mentioned. Cold weather impairs digestion and calcium absorption, lack of vitamin d3, and inadequate protein in their diet.

Don't listen to that guy at the shop, he obviously hasn't been keeping frogs. Unfortunately this will happen with employees leaving customers misinformed information about proper husbandry for these animals. From now on, come here for support. It's hard to determine whether or not your frog accidently ingested some moss, but that was the right move to remove it from your tank. Hopefully he didn't lunge at a cricket and ingest some of it which is very hard to pass given the right circumstances.

[Sublime]

As far as trying to feed him since he may appear weak, try rubbing the food up against his mouth or dropping it right in front of him. Since they are ambush predators they will appear 'lazy' to people who think they should be moving more to catch their food. In his state of health, you really need to be helping him during feeding. Not at the point of force feeding it to him though - if he doesn't want it then try again tomorrow. He'll become even more stressed if you're agitating him too much trying to get him to feed. Doesn't seem like his stress came from environmental factors (Improper husbandry) - in your situation it's more than likely from profuse human exposure.

[frogmama]

Thanks so much to all of you. Unfortunately, we lost him around 1:35 this morning. He seemed to be rallying after a warm soak, but was gone when I checked on him about an hour later.

Mark, we kept handling to a minimum as a practice, only handling to clean his tank. Though from your post it appears he wasn't getting the calcium he needed and I also wonder whether the moss was a factor. I wish we had had this advice from the beginning. I did research care when we brought him home but didn't find care sheets as comprehensive as the one posted here.

You've all been a tremendous help, and we will be so much better informed when we try again. We all got quite attached to him, so we may wait a little while.

[Jimbok3]

So sorry for your loss, I just lost my fire belly toads. Tell your son that somtimes bad things happen but remember that you gave "Huck" lots of love and he had a beter life with you guys than he would have had at the pet store.

[Sublime]

I'm sorry frogmama for your loss . Inevitably it wasn't your fault. What I mean by this is so many people get advice from inexperienced employees at chain pet stores that don't know what they're talking about and leads to customers losing frogs. We learn from our mistakes and hopefully you guys pick up a new one after researching through this site.

Tell your son that there are many more out there and that your other frog is in a happy place.

[Jcal]

That sucks and im sorry we couldnt help you sooner. If you have anyother questions for us just let use know.

[Mentat]

Sorry for your frog death! I'm new to forum and frog keeping too and can relate to your loss.