A new tree frog

[furcat]

I am new to the forum, and have just started trying to keep a frog inside. For several years we have had tree frogs lay their eggs in the stock trough for our horses, and we have tadpoles all summer. This year it got cold early, and I took one of the tadpoles that had not changed and brought it inside and put it into an aquarium. Everything has gone well so far, and I now have a little frog. I am fairly sure that I have an American Green Tree Frog. I have done the coconut fibre substrate, and I had already brought in a tree branch that was in the water outside. I have water, etc. for the frog in the aquarium (well, it is actually a big goldfish bowl). My biggest hurdle at this point is feeding. I have tried flakes of fish food, which it ate when it was a tadpole, and some cricket pellets. I tried to buy crickets, but they are way too big. I don't know where to start finding suitable food, and I don't want to lose my frog. So, any advice is welcome right now. Thanks! Oh, I live in Eastern Kansas.

[Kurt]

Fruit flies, you need flightless fruit flies. You can get them from Petco or on-line. Either Black Jungle or Josh's frogs can supply them and what else you will need to culture your own. You can also buy very small crickets on-line.
Whatever, feeder insect you end up using, remember to dust with a calcium and vitamin supplements. Fruit flies by themselves do not provide enough nutrition.

[furcat]

Thank you! I will go out and get some today. My frog is growing, and yesterday it started climbing on the plants (plastic) that I put inside the bowl. I will report back with the results. I assume it will catch the flies by itself? I am so excited about my little frog! I love having the ones outside. We have tree frogs around our house all spring and summer. Many of them get into my flower pots on the front porch, and when I work on the flowers I see two little eyes staring at me over the rim of the pot. But, having the little one inside is just so exciting to me!

[Kurt]

Just keep in mind fruit flies can walk up the side of the tank, no problem. So you will have to figure out a way to keep them from walking away. I put either a paper towel or a piece of cloth between the top and the rest of the tank/critter keeper. It allows for air flow while keeping dinner from escaping.

[furcat]

Thank you for the advice. I have been calling around, and I finally found a place with wingless fruit flies. I have some plastic wrap with holes in it over the top of the goldfish bowl, and I realize that isn't ideal. Thanks for the tip about fabric - that should work perfectly.

[Tom Highum]

Could you post a picture of your fish bowl habitat?