Clawed Frog Bloated

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

As long as the tube plants have no history of disease with them I could try it. The disease issue was my main concern.

All I can say is that I never had a problem concerning any diseases with either sources of the plants I have bought from.
or snails.

[mpmistr]

I bought the Repto min pellets so I will try every 2 days or so for now. His belly seems to be a little red from where the sand is touching him probably because his belly is too big and it is rubbing on the bottom more.. It is only in the spot that would hit the ground more due to bloating so hopefully that is all it is.

What brand of sand did you wind up purchasing?

[rob2000]

I got sand from petco, not sure of the exact brand name.
Tonight isn't looking good for Frogee. He seemed pretty perky yesterday but today he seems sluggish and isn't moving around too much. Still very bloated. Not sure if there is anything else I can do for him.
Any suggestions? SHould I put salt back into tank?

[rob2000]

Wow.. what happend? Everyone disappeared on me?
Well, Frogee is still in his 5gal. I fixed it up a bit better so it wasnt as open and he seems to like it better. He is moving around a little more and I saw him eat yesterday. I actually took him to the vet and although I didnt get much good information, the vet did say that it felt like there was air in his tummy. I am thinking it is fluid. He recommended that I leave him in the 5gal to see what happens. Didn't really recommend medicine but did say that he though Tetracycline was safe for frogs if needed.
I will keep watching Frogee. Going to check water tonight. It was ok on Monday night (no pH, ammonia or Nitrates).

EDIT:
I checked perameters today and found Ammonia a little high. pH and Nitrates not an issue. How much water do I change to keep tank cycling but remove some ammonia?

[mpmistr]

Wow.. what happend? Everyone disappeared on me?
Well, Frogee is still in his 5gal. I fixed it up a bit better so it wasnt as open and he seems to like it better. He is moving around a little more and I saw him eat yesterday. I actually took him to the vet and although I didnt get much good information, the vet did say that it felt like there was air in his tummy. I am thinking it is fluid. He recommended that I leave him in the 5gal to see what happens. Didn't really recommend medicine but did say that he though Tetracycline was safe for frogs if needed.
I will keep watching Frogee. Going to check water tonight. It was ok on Monday night (no pH, ammonia or Nitrates).

EDIT:
I checked perameters today and found Ammonia a little high. pH and Nitrates not an issue. How much water do I change to keep tank cycling but remove some ammonia?

I still think a 10 gallon would be better and I'd avoid medication. Ammonia is still bad news unfortunately. I would do 50% water changes.

Did you pick up a filter yet? Also maybe pick up some Prime, it neutralizes Ammonia but it's not a permanent fix, it may make your frogs life a little easier though until the tank is cycled.

[xxianxx]

I am suprised how often "get a ten gal tank " has been ignored, it is the min requirement required for this species. The problems you are still getting with water quality are based on water volume. Get a bigger tank and solve the issue.

[mpmistr]

I am suprised how often "get a ten gal tank " has been ignored, it is the min requirement required for this species. The problems you are still getting with water quality are based on water volume. Get a bigger tank and solve the issue.

I've noticed that 10 gallon aquariums are often priced lower than the 5 gallon/even smaller gimmick 'tanks' they sell. I just don't understand why people have a hard time acquiring a 10 gallon aquarium, they literally are often slightly over $10 dollars and almost always under $15.

It's the price of going to see a movie and some popcorn.

[rob2000]

HI Guys,
Well I wanted to give you a quick update. Bought a anubias nana for the tank to help it cycle (will wash it out first and let it sit with some clean water for a few days-week before putting it in). I also bought some fake plants for the back of the tank since it is darker back there.

Also, after my water change issue 2 days ago, I have only changed 1 more gallon (readings of ammonia very low at that point) and yesterday and today the ammonia is 0. The nitrates are also 0 and I need to buy a kit for nitrites so that I can check that as well. I have bought "stability" just in case I need some help cycling but I am trying to avoid using it. Just have it on standby for now.

Frogee is eating and seems happy. He is still bloated but hopefully it will go down (although I know it may not). No meds have been put in the tank.

If I do have a water quality issue I will upgrade to a 10 gal. The filter I bought can support a 10 gal so we will see. Money is not the issue at all, I already have a 29gal tank with fish and a 10gal tank with fish and now a 5gal tank all in the same room and believe me I spend a lot of time and money maintaining them. I just am not sure that the 10 gal is needed just yet. Will keep you posted but I will not be afraid to upgrade if really needed. Thanks for the suggestion. (P.S. I didnt buy the 5gal, I had it here already and that was the best immediate fix for this issue since it was available quickly and I had an emergency situation).

[rob2000]

I've noticed that 10 gallon aquariums are often priced lower than the 5 gallon/even smaller gimmick 'tanks' they sell. I just don't understand why people have a hard time acquiring a 10 gallon aquarium, they literally are often slightly over $10 dollars and almost always under $15.

It's the price of going to see a movie and some popcorn.

Just as a random side note... I wish I lived in Illinois, a movie and popcorn in NY is about $20! ha ha.

[rob2000]

I am suprised how often "get a ten gal tank " has been ignored, it is the min requirement required for this species. The problems you are still getting with water quality are based on water volume. Get a bigger tank and solve the issue.

I believe I am having water quality issues that are standard for a tank that is not cycled yet. I am still understanding cycling but from the research I have done it seems that the tank will build with ammonia then nitrites and nitrates to complete the cycle. I kind of expected an increase in ammonia.

[rob2000]

Tank is still testing good at 0 ammonia but still 0 nitrates. Frogee is still eating and seems to be enjoying his hiding places.
Will keep you all posted.

[mpmistr]

Tank is still testing good at 0 ammonia but still 0 nitrates. Frogee is still eating and seems to be enjoying his hiding places.
Will keep you all posted.

That's good he is doing well. I would check for Nitr*i*tes though because they can be more toxic than ammonia, it does mean your tank is starting to cycle though.

Did his bloating subside?

[rob2000]

That's good he is doing well. I would check for Nitr*i*tes though because they can be more toxic than ammonia, it does mean your tank is starting to cycle though.

Did his bloating subside?

HI Michael!
Yeh, I am pretty happy that I seem to be clear right now with test issues but I do want to add nitrites to my list of tests.

I went to pet store to find the nitrite test but they didnt have it. Ill look again on my way home from work tomorrow.
No, bloating is the same but he does have a great appetite.

[Miss Blue]

I have been following this thread and am very glad to see you are taking the time (and money!) to make Frogee healthier and happier! Sounds like he is doing well! I have ADF's and had to do a ton of reading and questioning as I second guessed my every move! Hope your little guy continues to do well!

[rob2000]

I have been following this thread and am very glad to see you are taking the time (and money!) to make Frogee healthier and happier! Sounds like he is doing well! I have ADF's and had to do a ton of reading and questioning as I second guessed my every move! Hope your little guy continues to do well!

Hi there Miss Blue!
Sorry for the late response. Thank you. I have definitely spent a lot of money on this one but that is no object for Frogee to feel better.

Frogee has been hanging in there. He seems to really like his new tank. I bought some more plants and still have the live one in a seperate tank to try to ensure that there is no disease on it before putting it in with him. I might put it in this weekend.

As for the tank, I have been unable to find a nitrite test at my local petshops but I can say that I am testing the ammonia and nitrate on an every other day basis and all is still 0. I am doing about a 1gal water change maybe once a week (if that) but not religiously to try not to disrupt the cycling.

Frogee is still bloated and he has some red spots under his belly and legs where they would hit the sand due to his inflation status. I believe the sand was irritating his skin when he was looking for food so over the weekend I removed it and replaced with pebbles big enough that he can't get them in his mouth (I sat on the floor and sorted them ha ha). I left one patch with no pebbles or sand now so that he can find the food and he seems to be getting used to looking in that spot.

He is eating extremely well. Always looking for food. I decided to use the frog and tadpole bites that sink and I give him about 4-5 per day as the instructions mention. There is no food leftover to remove at the end of his feeding!

Not really sure what to do about the bloating (if there is anything). I wish it would go down even a little.

Well update you soon. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. I think we are on a good track now!

I have some friends with ADFs and I have recommended big tanks with filters

Thanks!

[Felis]

Hi,

the problem with pebbles is that dirt can easily be trapped inside the holes between them. Please make sure to siphon out as much as possible with each water change- your frog is still far away from perfect health and should be kept in a more or less clean environment. I don´t know the pellets you are using, but instructions on the packaging tend towards overfeeding, which should be avoided as well. I still recommend to feed every other day in order to give him time to digest properly.
Nitrite tests are pretty much a standard product, so they should be widely available. Do you know another store or would it be possible to order it online?
Fingers crossed that your froggy will get better soon

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

Hi Rob,
Glad to hear the froggy is doing better and eating well.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but if the bloating hasn't gone down any yet it might never completely go away.
But you are doing great.

All that matters is that froggy is happy. And it sounds like it is.

And I am pretty sure that your tank is fully cycled by now.
So you can test every week or so.
You do have a filter?
If so you can do water changes a little less frequent. Like every 2 weeks.
Your nose will tell you if you are waiting too long.
Well before the tank turns toxic for froggy.

What I did for my ADF and will more than likely work for your little guy
I got a little ceramic shallow food dish (kidney shaped) and pushed it into the gravel
of my tank so the gravel is level with the rim of the dish.
and I drop the pellets into that dish and the frogs find it right away.

I also have a large clean up crew in the tank,
a buch of small snails that live in the gravel and 6 amano shrimp. and the 3 cory catfish.
so any extra gets eaten quickly.

Post some picts!

[rob2000]

Hey!
Thanks for the info. I did get a filter about 2 weeks ago (maybe more.. time flies!). It is for a 10 gal so if I do upgrade to the 10 I have a filter that will work for it.
I put some fake plants to help break the current a little so he isnt rolling all over the place. He seems to have gotten used to the movement now.

What I tried to do was leave the sand only in the spot where he would look for food so he knew where to find the food all the time. But because he is rolling on his belly over the sand frantically looking for food, it kept being irritated so I removed the sand from that section too. In his feeding spot now is just bare bottom tank and I always drop the food in that spot so that it doesnt get stuck in the rocks and he will never find it. I chose sinking food so it doesnt fly in circles around the top and drop in a random spot.

I took Felis advice and decreased the feeding. The pellets are very small (like pieces of course sand almost) and he is always hungry so I was feeding him every day. I am going to try every other day and see how that goes or I will feed every day and less pellets (2-3 instead of 5-6) if needed.

He doesnt seem uncomfortable but I do want that irritation on the belly to go away. It is hard to get a pic of it but it doesnt seem to have gotten worse since I removed the sand so I think that was it.

Ill try to get some good pics later today when he is a little more active.

[Miss Blue]

Hi there Miss Blue!
Sorry for the late response. Thank you. I have definitely spent a lot of money on this one but that is no object for Frogee to feel better.

Frogee has been hanging in there. He seems to really like his new tank. I bought some more plants and still have the live one in a seperate tank to try to ensure that there is no disease on it before putting it in with him. I might put it in this weekend.

As for the tank, I have been unable to find a nitrite test at my local petshops but I can say that I am testing the ammonia and nitrate on an every other day basis and all is still 0. I am doing about a 1gal water change maybe once a week (if that) but not religiously to try not to disrupt the cycling.

Frogee is still bloated and he has some red spots under his belly and legs where they would hit the sand due to his inflation status. I believe the sand was irritating his skin when he was looking for food so over the weekend I removed it and replaced with pebbles big enough that he can't get them in his mouth (I sat on the floor and sorted them ha ha). I left one patch with no pebbles or sand now so that he can find the food and he seems to be getting used to looking in that spot.

He is eating extremely well. Always looking for food. I decided to use the frog and tadpole bites that sink and I give him about 4-5 per day as the instructions mention. There is no food leftover to remove at the end of his feeding!

Not really sure what to do about the bloating (if there is anything). I wish it would go down even a little.

Well update you soon. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. I think we are on a good track now!

I have some friends with ADFs and I have recommended big tanks with filters

Thanks!

My ADF's started in those tiny little containers the stores sell them in and ended up moving them to a nice fluval edge tank! they have since reproduced multiple times and I think they are working on some more....needless to say when it comes to frogs price doesn't matter! cheers to frogs!

[rob2000]

HI All!
I thought I would give an update on Frogee's condition because I hate when people leave me hanging on these types of posts.

Since we last spoke Frogee has deflated significantly! His entire body really slimmed down. Right now the only part of his body that is still fat is his legs. There is a white line under his belly but I believe that it is the extra skin that isnt being used anymore since the bloat. He doesnt seem bothered by it at all.

I still find the the little pieces of left over sand in the tank on occassion make the bottoms of his legs red but I am slowly working that sand out. The larger rocks seemed to really help the situation and so far so good with the water condition. I try to check perameters once a week to make sure the ammonia isn't an issue and haven't had a big issue.. knock on wood! I try to change a galloon or so every two weeks/three weeks or when I see that the ammonia came up slightly. I am not sure the tank has cycled but I havent seen any large peaks of ammonia etc.

Frogee's appetite is still good and I am feeding him every other day right now.

Thank you to all of you who had great suggestions. I am hoping Frogee is on his way to recovery. So far so good.. keep your fingers crossed!