Clawed Frog Bloated

[mpmistr]

Hi Rob. Just some additional questions and advice here, I genuinely want to help you and your frog.

We need to establish what type of frog you have because these species are very different. The size and age of your frog leads me to believe it is an african dwarf frog (hymenochirus) but the physical description sounds much like the larger african clawed frog (xenopus laevis).



This is an african dwarf frog. They are around the size you describe when adults.



This is an african clawed frog (albino, one of my own actually) these guys get 3-5+ inches depending on gender. The females are larger.

Are you sure if is an african clawed frog? I ask because african clawed frogs (the big guys) are fairly salt tolerant and the smaller african dwarf frog really isn't so you have to be a lot more careful if you attempt a salt treatment.

I do believe that by treating this frog however we are still ignoring the fact it is residing in too small amount of water to survive in the long run. You really must address the size of the tank the frog is kept in for any successful treatment to have any lasting effect. 1 gallon just isn't enough, it's not enough for an african dwarf frog and it's way too little for an african clawed frog as I previously mentioned.

I strongly feel that by having a proper sized tank, filtration, using a water dechlorinator (the heavy metals and chlorine in tap is toxic to frogs) and a cycled tank will put this frog on the path to recovery faster than salt treatments or other medications sold in pet stores. If the frog continues to show signs of bloating and his conditions do not improve after the husbandry improves perhaps then will be the time to move to more aggressive treatments. I am a firm believer that chemicals should be a last resort as many times it does more harm than good. I am absolutely positive that with proper care this frogs bloat will subside.

I hope this helps.

[rob2000]

HI Michael,
Thank you for the write up and the pictures. He/she definitely looks like the one in the bottom picture. I tried again to attach my pictures.
I do have a 5gal tank that I could move to, I am just not sure how to do it with little stress and I was concerned it would be too deep and difficult for him to get to the top. What are your thoughts on that part?
I myself am hesitant to put medications in the tank because I feel that clean water etc will help which is why I am doing more water changes religiously in the meantime. I also kept him in a smaller tank because it was much easier for me to keep clean more often which I thought was a good thing. I will definitely get a dechlorinator on my way home tomorrow.

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

I will agree it does look like a ACF.
Moving it to the 5 g can be very easy.

I would start using some water from one of you other tanks to get the 5 Gal
started. It will have some of the bacteria to help get the cycle started.
and if you can get a small sachet of gravel from the same tank you got the water from
that would be great.
Does the 5 G have a filter?

I would also put a small fish in it like a tetra to help get it cycled.
then you can move it to your other tank.

you would move him like you would a fish.

[rob2000]

HI there. 1/2 of 5 gal filled with fresh clean water. Will pick up dechlorinator tomorrow. Im concerned to use water from other tank since last frog in that tank died and just lost a fish recently. Other fish are healthy but I wont know if there is any bad bacteria in there. The 5 gal has a filter but it was used to house a sick fish previously and not sure how to clean it well. Stressed.. lol. Will figure it out though if it is best for Frogee for sure.

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

Best is a 10% solution of clorox and water. and rinse out with a mixture of over dosed de-chlorinator and tap water.
3X the normal dose for 1 gallon,

and then rinse with plain de Chlorinated water

let sit over night dry and see if you still smell any clorox
if there is any hard water stains a paper towel damped with white vinegar will do the trick
and that will kill just about any bug.

[rodsboys]

Best is a 10% solution of clorox and water. and rinse out with a mixture of over dosed de-chlorinator and tap water.
3X the normal dose for 1 gallon,

and then rinse with plain de Chlorinated water

let sit over night dry and see if you still smell any clorox
if there is any hard water stains a paper towel damped with white vinegar will do the trick
and that will kill just about any bug.

If this filter has been sitting dry for some time a simple rinse will suffice. No know fish diseases can survive total dryout.

[Necromencer]

Hey Rob,

I know you're worried about the depth of the water, but it shouldn't really be an issue. As long as the tank isn't extremely tall (12''+) then the frog shouldn't have much of a problem. It's always best to go for a longer tank than a higher tank.
Here is a picture of my current tank I'm using now (the big one). As you can see, it's quite deep. I have my water filled almost to the top and I've been observing my frogs for fatigue and difficulty getting air, and they have no problems what so ever. My frogs are roughly the same size as your one now, you can see one of my frogs in my profile picture. I do recommend that you get either a basking platform or floating plants. This is more so for my species of frog (Silurana Tropicalis [xenopus]), but I'm sure your frog would appreciate it too. With either a basking platform or floating plants, your frog can attach itself to it and rest there, instead of having to go up and down for water all the time.

Hope this helps

[Mentat]

HI there. 1/2 of 5 gal filled with fresh clean water. Will pick up dechlorinator tomorrow. Im concerned to use water from other tank since last frog in that tank died and just lost a fish recently. Other fish are healthy but I wont know if there is any bad bacteria in there. The 5 gal has a filter but it was used to house a sick fish previously and not sure how to clean it well. Stressed.. lol. Will figure it out though if it is best for Frogee for sure.

Hi Rob! Have not read all new posts yet but will answer this one. One quick option to 10% soak is to use a clean sponge or paper towel (in ventilated area, wear old clothes, rubber gloves and eye protection) soak it in plain house bleach (Clorox) and go over all surfaces of tank, filter, glass tops, etc. Let it be for ten minutes and rinse well in tap water. Then prepare a concentrated dechlorinator solution (about 4x strong) and go over everything with it; done.

For plastic decor make plain bleach solution at 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and soak all plastic decor there for 24 hours and then rinse in tap water.

Natural gravel (not painted or clear coated) can be baked in oven. Make tray with aluminum foil and spread it on it, then cook for 1 hour at 250F, turn oven off and let it remain in overnight... done. For colored or clear coated gravel would just throw away and replace.

For filter media; dispose of all filter pads and get new ones. Plastic bio-balls can be handled as the plastic decor and any sintered glass media/lava rock/etc. can be baked with gravel (do not soak anything porous like gravel or media in bleach). Good luck !

[rodsboys]

I will agree it does look like a ACF.
Moving it to the 5 g can be very easy.

I would start using some water from one of you other tanks to get the 5 Gal
started. It will have some of the bacteria to help get the cycle started.
and if you can get a small sachet of gravel from the same tank you got the water from
that would be great.
Does the 5 G have a filter?

I would also put a small fish in it like a tetra to help get it cycled.
then you can move it to your other tank.

you would move him like you would a fish.

This isn't sound advice, the kind of bacteria that establish the nitrogen cycle are not present in the water column and I would never recommend adding a fish or any other creature to a tank that will already be pushing the limits. This guy is striving hard to improve the condition and life style of his frog so lets not stear him in the wrong direction.