Help me, they're dying!

[Jcalcagno]

I am new here, and this is my first post. I am looking for information, but not judgement. Sometimes these kinds of forums give people the permission to bash someone. I a not a Herp expert, but I wouldn't call myself inexperienced either. I kept a Whites Dumpy tree frog, Leopard frogs and fire belly toads for years. But in the past 10 years had gotten away from that. I started making "frog Towns" outside in the spring. Creating a two foot pond and planting flowers and little flower pot hideouts for them. It was exciting to see local frogs hop over at night and wade in the pool. So I got some tadpoles, they grew up and then the next year, they came back to "frog Town". It was awesome. I moved to a much dryer area, and I now have a 1 year old pug that eats everything, so this year I put Frog Town on a large table. And because where I live tadpoles aren't readily available, I bought some tadpoles on ebay. Ended up they were Toads and not frogs, so I got worried about their habitat being on a table. Our yard is not frog friendly, and if they got off the table, there was no way they would be able to get back on. So I brought all 18 (Started with 25) toadlets inside and placed in a large aquarium. They were a dark grey color. After a few weeks some got large while others stayed very small, so I put them in Two different aquariums. Mostley they eat fruit flies althugh some of the bigger ones were occasionally eating pin heads and mealworms. They have been slowly dying. The flooring is a mixture of coconut husk and moss, kept very wet. They have lots of hiding places and shate and a large water dish with rocks for easy climbing in and out. Their legs never seemed to work very well. I haven't dusted food with vitamins yet, how do you dust fruit flies? And also because my last frog (1 year ago) was a dumpy and doing very well, until he had powder suppliment on food. He got red leg and died. So I am hesitant. But the leg thing isn't the problem. They get lethatrgic, and stiff. Like their skin is thickening. The pet store was telling me to keep them at at least 80 degrees. So I was keeping it from 82 to 88 But so many have died. They almost look like they are drying up, although the ground is alwys wet and they are hardley ever in the water. But something keeps telling me that maybe this species doesn't like it this hot, so finally I am just going with my gut. I have turned off the lights, and done a lot of misitng and so far the 6 that are left have done okay for the last three days. They are eating well. The biggest once had a nice brown pattern on him, but now he is dark grey as well. I know that can be from the temp, but the others were very warm and still dark grey. I took him out and put him in a fresh cage by himself. He is about the size of a quarter, all the others are smaller. I know this post is huge, and I apologize, I am just heartbroken over this. I love these little guys and don't want them to suffer. Before someone says, I am not going to spend $100 to take them to the vet. If I had that kind of money I would, but I don't. Any suggestions?

[Jcalcagno]

I wanted to add some photos. The big one I separated is getting some of his color back. The other ones seems better, too. Maybe they were too warm? Here are some pics.

[flybyferns]

I think it would be best to post lots of photos of the frogs so they can be identified.
Once identified, you will be able to obtain the information necessary to establish the proper environment for them.
Lynn

[DonLisk]

I would get the temps down into the 70s to start. I would also add a larger Tupperware container to one side of the tank and fill it with dechlorinated tap water to a level about chin deep so they can soak in it.

Add in some clean Pothos (plant) cuttings to give then something to go under to hide from the light and feel secure too.

What levels of humidity is the tank maintaining? It should be at a minimum if 50 to 60 percent. 70 percent would be better if you can get there.
You also need to get calcium for them. Dusting fruit flies is easy. Put a small amount of the calcuim in a large plastic cup, sprinkle the flies into the cup and shake lightly. i spoon them out of the cup and drop them into the tank near the feeding stations. I have banana in the tank to attract the flies to for a feeding station. Just place the piece of banana in a large plastic bottle cap or similar.
The banana can rot away and keep attracting the flies for a good amount of time.


Are your frogs active at all?
Seem to have energy to chase down food?

[Jcalcagno]

I added one photo. I went to take photos of the others, and it looks like I only have three left now. But all of them have this soft looking, healthy skin. Looks like the others have all died. As far as I knew I had 3 other little (Sick looking) toads in there. But I cannot find them!!! Maybe they have buried themselves? But I am pleased to say that these last ones look healthy.

[Jcalcagno]

I added photos. They have a large water area. And I, too, use the Banana for the flies. They have hiding spots. I think it was the temp. I want to punch that guy at Petco. I knew in my gut that the 80s were too high, but I figured he knew what he was talking about.

[Jcalcagno]

Oh, and yes, these ones that are left are active and hunting. I will get a vitamin powder for them. Thank you.

[DonLisk]

You want a calcium supplement.
Also keep in mind that the crickets, if your feeding crickets now, should be no longer then the distance between the frogs eyes.

[Murray of the Deep]

You want a calcium supplement.
Also keep in mind that the crickets, if your feeding crickets now, should be no longer then the distance between the frogs eyes.

or dust crickets with calcium , keep in mind that crickets cant be a staple because it has chitin that cause impaction,or also do Don's advice

[Jcalcagno]

I think it would be best to post lots of photos of the frogs so they can be identified.
Once identified, you will be able to obtain the information necessary to establish the proper environment for them.
Lynn

Can you identify by the Photos?

[Misschievou2]

Looks like a ordinary california toads

How are they doing?

[Wormwood]

Normal house temps and normal house humidity should be fine for most toads. 40-45% is enough humidty. If they are dry they will enter and soak in the water dish. If you find them spending to much time in the water dish THEN, and ONLY THEN water down the substrate. Toads don't mind dry substrate.

I'd also take away any heat lamp, or lamp above their cage as most species are nocturnal anyways. If the tank is near a window that should be enough light.

On another note, if one toad had red leg sometimes it doesn't show up as vividly on others. Sometimes their skin might look a little slimey behind the legs but not have the sharp red coloring and they'll still die. If you found it with red leg in that tank the best bet is moving them to a brand new tank with new substrate. I can't tell you how many times even after washing the tank hard core and cleaning the pool, hides and stuff that red leg has snuck back into the enclosure.

This is generally why its not wise to house so many frogs or toads together. Two or three tops in the same tank.

If you ever attempt to raise toadlets again I'd suggest starting a pill bug culture, they are easy to keep in a low flat tub and breed tiny little pill bugs with soft shells for toadlets. Those crickets you have in there are way to large.