How Long Before They Start Eating?

[n321]

I got a Pacman about two weeks ago. I have it in a 10 gallon, 76 degrees, about 60-70% humidity. I haven't been able to get it to eat, though. I force-fed it a cricket a few days ago. He seems fine, but he just won't eat.

Is this normal?

[GrifTheGreat]

I got a Pacman about two weeks ago. I have it in a 10 gallon, 76 degrees, about 60-70% humidity. I haven't been able to get it to eat, though. I force-fed it a cricket a few days ago. He seems fine, but he just won't eat.

Is this normal?

Its normal for a new frog to not eat until they get used to their new home. This can take anywhere from an hour to 3 days. Your Pacs temp is too cool. They need day time temps from 80 to 85 during the day. Babies day temp should top out at 82 though. Night time temps 75 to 79. Humidity must stay 70 to 80%. Be sure to de-chlorinate your frogs water. Offer crickets that are no larger than the distance between the frogs eyes. Dust your frogs food with a calcium supplement every other feeding and once a week with a multivitamin. Use coconut fiber substrate(Eco Earth) and make sure its moist not mud.

[n321]

Hey, thanks Grif! I read on some online article (and in a book) that temps should be between 72 and 80. I think I would trust you though, as you seems to have had a lot of experience with Pacmans.

I am using sphagnum moss as substrate. Should I use Eco Earth instead?

[GrifTheGreat]

Unfortunately, there is not much information about pacman care out there. What is out there is very conflicting. I've learned A LOT since joining this forum. There are many experienced people on here who are happy to help. I learn as much as I can and I try to pass that knowledge on. Remember that these are tropical frogs. Also keep in mind that there is a vast difference between conditions that a frog can Survive and conditions that are Ideal. In the wild they are at the mercy of nature. In captivity, it is the keepers responsibility to give them the best possible care.

Be very careful using sphagnum moss. Yes, it is very good for maintaining humidity. However, it causes a very high risk of impaction (severe constipation) for your frog. Pacmans are very aggressive eaters and often lunge at their food and ingest substrate along with the food item. Moss can cause life threatening blockages in the intestines. I used it when I first got my pac Grif. Yes, she loved to burrow in it. But after having to pull a long piece of moss out her vent because it was stuck there, I switched to all coco fiber. Believe me, that was not a good experience for the frog or me! I've heard several similar accounts from other users. That is why most will recommend using coco fiber or plantation soil. (Note: make sure you get the coco fiber not coco husk. Fiber can easily pass through the frog's digestion tract. The chunks of coco husk will not.) If you do use moss, make sure you feed the frog in a separate container to avoid risk of impaction. However, some frogs get stressed when removed from their homes and won't eat in separate containers. I would recommend switching to coco fiber.