Newbie with SO many questions!

[Chesh]

I've been looking for a month all over the internet in search of information on my new little African Dwarf Frog, and am having a lot of trouble finding anything. . . then I found this amazing site! So let me get a few of the questions I've been wondering about out there finally in the hopes that someone can finally give me some real information!

1. I have Tahitian Moon Sand as substrate right now. Some say it's fine, some say it's too rough and can hurt an ADF's skin. We started with gravel, switched to the moon sand when someone told us that gravel was a no-no with ADFs. I really don't feel like changing the substrate again, but am cycling a new 5 gallon tank for him now (get him out of the community tank), so I can do it easily. I REALLY love the moon sand, but don't want my little guy to get hurt! What's your experience here?

2. What should I be feeding him!!? So far I can't get him to take the tiny sinking pellets - he doesn't seem to recognize them as food (neither do I, for that matter!) Petshop told me to give him frozen brine shrimp, he likes it and eats it fine, but then I read that brine shrimp is lacking in nutrients and his main food should be bloodworms! So... have been giving him frozen bloodworms. He's happy with that, too and eating well, but I'd like to get a definitive answer on what my frog NEEDS to be healthy! Please! Teach me!

3. After Froggy settles into his new 5gallon, I was thinking of getting him a buddy. Can I put 2 ADF's in a single 5 gallon aquarium?

4. Along the same lines, I've read that many people keep ADF's with beta fish. Is this safe for both species? Can both fit in a 5 gallon happily? How about 2 ADFs AND a beta? I've read SO MANY DIFFERENT 'rules' about requirements for these little guys. . . my head is swimming! Anyone have any facts that are true!!?

5. How about books specifically about ADFs? I've been looking, but can't find much about them anywhere. They're so endearing, I don't know why more people don't own them!

I *think* that's it for right now (along with my other thread on how to fix the poor guy up after his accident) I'm sure I'll have more for you pros. . . thank you in advance for any information you can give me on how to make my little Speckle the happiest frog around!

[rodsboys]

1. That sand is fine. Much better option that gravel.
2. I used a variety of foods on a rotation when I kept my little colony. Frozen/thawed- mysis shrimp, spirlina enriched brine(not regular brine),glassworms, daphnia,and NLS pellets. If you want them to accept a "prepared" diet you have to get them in a bare bottom container and monitor them. They will eventually eat and then you can put them back into their enclosure after feeding. Once you know the frogs accept the food regularly you can feed them in their home from then on.
3. I have always used 5 gallon tanks. Lots of people think these frogs need several gallons each. I have kept anywhere from 4-7 in a tank that size. Mine were all species only/heavily planted. I am sure I will catch grief over that statement. My frogs use t breed constantly. I never had water quality issues and I test often.
4. Bettas are hit or miss. I have had some that could care less about frogs. I have also had some that could not leave frog alone. If you plan to add the betta though keep an eye out that the frogs are getting enough to eat and don't overstock your tank. 2-3 frogs with the betta tops.
5. Don't bother. Use the internet.

[Chesh]

Thank you SO much for your reply!and I just have so many questions!

I'm really glad to hear that the Tahitian Moon sand is okay. I really love the stuff, and he shows up so nicely against the black. He's so hard to see on regular sand/gravel!

I'm fine with feeding him a variety of frozen/defrosted foods, a bit weirded out by live stuff. . . and not totally convinced about the pellets. I just wanted to make sure what would be safe and healthiest for him! He's doing great right now with eating, and he's in a community tank. We got him a special little 'house' that's a bit too small for the bigger fish to get into, and have been putting his food in there. He knows it, but now he's at the point that he doesn't usually even bother with the house - when he sees my hand in the tank, he swims right over and eats right out of it! He's so CUUUUTE! I love him.

Glad to know that a 5gallon will be sufficient for a pair! I'm very excited to get him into his 5 gallon tank (as soon as he heals up, and it's fully cycled, that is). I'm very good about testing the water and doing frequent water changes, so I'm thinking it'll be fine I'll first establish my little guy, and when he's nice and comfy in his new tank, I'll get him a froggy friend. If that goes well I'll consider/research the option of a betta further.

The internet is awesome, but I'm finding it difficult to find information - especially CONSISTENT information - on these adorable little frogs. Advice from those that know and have kept them personally makes me feel far more comfortable than believing people at the pet store who know nothing. . . so thanks again for your help!

[rodsboys]

One thing to consider when you get a new one is quaranteen. A lot of stores are selling frogs that have already been given their death sentence in their systems with the presence of fungal infections. Frogs that have it will take 4-6 weeks sometimes to show symptoms. It takes some drastic action to have a chance to save them.

[Chesh]

One thing to consider when you get a new one is quaranteen. A lot of stores are selling frogs that have already been given their death sentence in their systems with the presence of fungal infections. Frogs that have it will take 4-6 weeks sometimes to show symptoms. It takes some drastic action to have a chance to save them.

Thank you! Good advice! Yes. I intend to quarantine any and all new frogs and fish that come into my home for 6-8 weeks for just this reason. That's actually why I have a 10gallon 'hospital' tank set up in another area of the house. The cycle is being maintained by 4 female guppies at all times, so that the water can be welcoming to new additions. . . or for accident-prone frogs.