ADFs suddenly becoming extra active.

[njnolan1]

I've had these three, two males and one female, for close to a year now. At least ten months. They've been through tons of changes in water quality, tank mates and sizes. I'm so confused why people say they're extra sensitive. These guys have been tough as nails for me!

I had 3 frogs in a two gallon medium critter keeper for about 3 or 4 months. They ate sinking pellets and I changed the water completely once a week. Just rinsed everything off with hot water. I decided to add a betta. This was a bad idea. I quickly went out and bought a 2.5 gallon betta bow tank for all four of them. Well, knowing nothing of cycling a tank then the ammonia was high and the betta's tail started to rot. I quickly gave him to a friend (ex betta breeder) who treated him and still has him in a community fully planted ten gallon tank. The frogs weren't very pleased with him anyway.

So I worked on the water for around two months until I finally have an awesome, small but clean tank. I have 2 anubias nana, some dwarf grass that they keep kicking up so I don't think it will last much longer, and a marimo moss ball. I also have 3 tiny endler's live bearers (I feed them a small pinch twice a day). The tank is overstocked, I know but the water quality is consistently clean. I do a 30% water change once a week (I've tested the water on day 6 with fantastic results, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 10< ppm nitrates) and use stress zyme and prime. I feed them exclusively blood worms (because the pellets fall apart and screw up the water quality) but am thinking about getting some frozen brine shrimp too to mix it up, although they seem to love the worms.

I had one accident when a frog escaped. A couple of weeks later I noticed his skin turned blotchy and white and then it darkened within a few days. I'm assuming these were some type of burn, either from drying out or from the chlorine when I quickly tried to rinse the dog hair off him with tap. Dumb move, I know.

Now that you know my tank inside and out let me present the recent problem I've noticed. A couple of days ago I noticed the the frog with the scars was spending a lot of time near the bow of the tank. Swimming up and down. Looking like he was trying to escape. I thought maybe he was more sensitive because of his scars. Then, a couple of hours ago I noticed all three of them in the front doing the same thing!

Well, I added a small amount of salt to the tank a few weeks ago when I noticed an Endler had a spot on his tail. I then added a small amount of salt the next water change and at least one more random time too. I'm wondering if the salt is bothering them? It's a small amount but still I guess the build up could be irritating. My other idea is that they're getting too much light. They're probably only getting about 6-8 hours of complete darkness a night.

Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!

[LunaDay]

I am new to keeping ADFs. I have only had mine since December. However, I watch them a LOT because I work at home and they are on my desk. They seem to do that when they are hungry and I also noticed that they do this as part of a "hooking up" ritual. I have watched my male with two different females do this repeatedly and then she will stop in the correct position and he will latch on. I hope this helps!

[tgampper]

For the most part, aquatic frogs are pretty tough. I would not use salt unless you suspect bloating. Because these frogs live almost exclusively in water, proper water chemistry is a must. I have been keeping aquatic frogs for many years and use Stress-Coat to condition the water. I also understand that bloodworms may not be the best for ADFs since it causes bloating and does not provide adequate nutrition (even though they love them). I have had a problem with my frogs being overly active, swimming up and down and jumping out of the water - I realized that I forgot the water conditioner, once I added some, the frogs settled right down. Also ADFs have been known to exit the water on occasion, so your escapee may not have been an accident. I have the least experience with ADFs - I keep ACFs and Surinam toads.

[njnolan1]

Thanks!

Well, they're still acting up. I think the tank is too small and they're getting bored. They're eating fine though. I feed them on every third day unless they're looking skinny. I might get some frozen brine shrimp to mix it up a little bit.

[njnolan1]

I upgraded to a 5.5 gallon tank and they seem very happy now!

I need to get a dish so I can give them pellets in addition. I have these fish pellets which will work well for them but I just need to get them down to the dish that I haven't bought yet lol.

I am thinking that the worms may not be enough. One of my males is having a pigmentation problem. I have another post with that concern. I'm about to actually go post on it with an update.

[Jenste]

Fish pellets? What type? Most fish pellets will not meet their dietary requirements as fish and frogs have different nutritional needs. I recommend picking up HBH frog and tadpole bites. It is only about $3 per can and it will last a while for you. Another brand of sinking pellet is Zoomed frog bites. The HBH is the one I commonly see at most pet stores and is the one I use myself for my ADF and as part of the tadpole powder mix I made when breeding ACF.

[njnolan1]

Fish pellets? What type? Most fish pellets will not meet their dietary requirements as fish and frogs have different nutritional needs. I recommend picking up HBH frog and tadpole bites. It is only about $3 per can and it will last a while for you. Another brand of sinking pellet is Zoomed frog bites. The HBH is the one I commonly see at most pet stores and is the one I use myself for my ADF and as part of the tadpole powder mix I made when breeding ACF.

I'll have to see if my lps has them. PetSmart and Petco don't have HBH though. The fish food I'm using is called New Life Spectrum. It's the best brand on the market. Brian from Briansaquariumcare.com said there's not much of a difference in the ingredients or nutritional value between the NLS fish food and their aquatic frog food. Check out his website! Tons of good info!

[rodsboys]

The only fish food I would consider is New Life Spectrum. I have fed it exclusively in the past to ADF'S and newts. I would put up against any of those frog bites where nutrition or quality ingredients is concerned. Those big chains do not carry it though because it is high end. Well worth any effort to acquire though.

[njnolan1]

The only fish food I would consider is New Life Spectrum. I have fed it exclusively in the past to ADF'S and newts. I would put up against any of those frog bites where nutrition or quality ingredients is concerned. Those big chains do not carry it though because it is high end. Well worth any effort to acquire though.

PetCo carries NLS. That's where I got mine. But they don't have the amphibian diet. But Brian, fish expert in my eyes (briansaquariumcare.com), said that the nutritional value is so close that the fish pellets would be fine for the frogs. Only thing is they wouldn't eat the larger pellets. My fish were unable to eat the larger pellets and since the frogs don't eat the pellets at all I got the small fish pellet. Very high in protein!

[rodsboys]

All of the formulas are pretty much the same. The 1 mm pellets are the way to go. I always liked the formula with the extra garlic, they all have it. Suppose to encourage them to eat and helps resist parasites etc.

[njnolan1]

The Thera a +a or whatever I think is supposed to be the best. But yeah, the ingredients looked the same to me. I tried the 1 mm pellets but the fish couldn't eat it (Endler's) and the frogs didn't want to. I think I saw a male eat one though. I think once I get a feeding dish in the tank I'll soak some of these tiny .5mm (they're actually much small than that) pellets in with the blood worms first. Might give them more of a taste for them. They're super small but I think if I can get them into the dish (they sink!) with the worms they'll eat them. If they don't, someone else will!