HELP! Bullfrog gone completely brown, no green!

[Gnag the nameless]

I'm going to get the water plants [And hopefully] UV on Thursday. I honestly am thinking of taking her to a vet, I fear it could be some kind of an infection or ailment like you said earlier. I'm just really concerned, and I'm really feeling down about this whole matter. It was sunny today, and the room was fairly lit up with no lights on. Perhaps that might give them some Vitamin D. I suppose this will just take time, patience, water plants, a UV lamp, and maybe a water change. I forgot to post this picture, it's clearer, and it shows her nose. Maybe this will present us with clues.

[UncleChester]

Unfortunately it's still pretty hard to tell much from that picture- the frog is out of focus. Most cameras will let you half press the shutter and the camera will then lock the focus onto something. A full press will take the picture. Things that can go wrong- the frog is closer than the minimum focus distance (this seems likely here, the specs should be in your camera manual) or the camera has decided to lock focus on something else. I suggest the following:

-If your camera has a 'macro mode' you should use it (it then knows to look for close stuff).
-Zoom in to the longest focal length (most magnification).
-Aim the camera so the frog is in the centre of the picture, then half press the shutter button and wait for it to lock the focus onto something.
-If the frog is still blurry, move back and try again.
-If you're worried about stressing the frog by taking a bunch of pictures, you can practice on something frog sized until you figure out how to get a clear, in-focus picture and learn the limits of your camera (reading the manual can be a help here).

-Alternatively, you seemed to have better luck with the camera you used in the photo of the two of them together in post #5 if that ones still available (it has a different naming scheme, so I'm assuming that it was a different camera).

Your main concern is still the colour right? Are you very familiar with the natural variations of bullfrogs? If not, you might want to spend some time looking at pictures of them. Their natural array of colours is quite staggering (these are mostly the right bullfrogs): https://www.google.com/search?q=amer...w=1680&bih=889

A vet isn't wrong if you're still worried and have a qualified one nearby.

[Gnag the nameless]

I know, I've always been bad at taking pictures. I just tried to give her a Physical Examination, but she was much too fast, so that tells you something. And I need to charge my camera up.

Yes, that's my main concern. And as for those photo's, the majority, if not all of those frogs, have some green on them. Gnag is completely green-less although she used to be as green as frog moss. Here are two pictures of Gnag in her previous setup, a 20G with moss and plants


And beside Bumpy:


And you saw how she is now. Bumpy is still roughly the same color. Also, I found a picture of a Bullfrog that looks EXACTLY like Gnag does right now, other than being a bit skinnier than Gnag, and with no black spots, and rougher skin than Gnag.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davemed...n/photostream/

As for if I'm worried... worried? I've been stressed out completely! I've not been able to concentrate at school, or even have a good time with my friends. As for the Vet idea, I do know of a Vet nearby that treats exotics and is highly recommended, and I know a Vet is a good idea, but it's an expensive one too. Could I give her a warm bath in de-chlorinated water instead, or just to help her? And to decrease the stress, I could wait till night, and take a picture of her then, standing up against the glass [she does that, and swims around as well]. I just really wish she was normal again, so I could relax at School, and just feel better about my frogs, not feel sad or remorseful when I think about them.

[NatureLady]

I am glad you found some help on your problem...these two know their stuff.

[UncleChester]

I know, I've always been bad at taking pictures.

So practice. They don't have to be works of art, but being able to take reasonably clear photos will go a long way when seeking help from people who can't see your frog in person.

Yes, that's my main concern. And as for those photo's, the majority, if not all of those frogs, have some green on them.

There are some that are very dark with little or no green visible, like the one you linked to.

And you saw how she is now. Bumpy is still roughly the same color. Also, I found a picture of a Bullfrog that looks EXACTLY like Gnag does right now, other than being a bit skinnier than Gnag, and with no black spots, and rougher skin than Gnag.

American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), female - profile | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

In the event that Dave doesn't respond, you can glean a few things from the info with this picture. The frog was likely wild as the location is listed as a creek and I can't recall him posting a picture of an amphibian that wasn't wild (I've been a 'contact' of his on Flickr since early last year). The Exif data says the photo was taken 4:22pm October 16, 2012, and it appears to be lit primarily by the flash (the exif looks to be lying about the flash, but the reflection in the eye is a dead giveaway).

The bullfrog in this picture looks to be healthy, it's skin colour would not worry me. Nor would a dark colour like this with darker spots on it worry me.

Could I give her a warm bath in de-chlorinated water instead, or just to help her?

Honestly, I'd be inclined to leave it alone as much as possible. Eating, pooping, alert and active when it needs to be, slimy skin as it should be... there's not much else to ask for with a healthy frog.

Some vets will do fecal exams if you bring them a sample. This will cost less than a full on examination if money is an issue and can provide some piece of mind on the parasite side. You can ask the one near you if they provide this service.

[Gnag the nameless]

Great news, everybody!


UV LAMP INSTALLED!

Gnag is already sitting partially in the light, as if enjoying it, as I type this, and I've also added 4 fake lilypads. I refreshed about 4 L of the water, so that might do some good. I got the UV lightbulb from a pet store, and it was actually designed for frogs and snakes, I've read all over the label many times. I quote: Stimulates appetite, activity, and reproductive behavior through UVA Radiation.

As for the Lily pads, I did a non-chlorinated water soak before adding the lilypads to the tank. I really feel that my frogs will get better now that they have the proper UV light. If Gnag's condition does not change within a week, at all, then a fecal test and medical examination will be the course of action. If her condition worsens before then, the same procedure will follow.

Quick question: With the UV lamp, sides wallpapered, good diet, and lilypads, how long will it take for Gnag to get back to "normal"? And is it possible that this is actually her normal?

Quick question 2: Could this be caused by a parasitic infection? I know it's highly unlikely, since I've had them for 4 months, but it's just been nagging at me for a while, since they did come from a lake-marsh.


And thanks so much guys. It means a lot to me. If you ever want info, advice, or anything similar from me, I owe you indefinitely so.

[Gnag the nameless]

One thing I think might possibly be of importance is that when I shine the light on the top of the water, there appears to be an extremely thin film or layer on the surface. It's kind of blueish. Any ideas? Maybe the water hasn't been filtering properly.

As for the conditions with the UV, I'm keeping the UV light on from the second I wake up [Weekdays, 7:00-8:00 AM, weekends 8-12 AM] and turning it more towards the tank when I return from school or at 3:00 on the weekends, turning it away at 6:00 PM, and shutting it off at 7:00-8:00.

Gnag's condition seemed a bit brighter when I found her basking yesterday, but it's the same brown once more today. Should I add more foliage?