MOTW - Aug 18 - Aug 24 2013 - Carlos (Mentat)

[Heatheranne]

Hi Carlos! It's wonderful to finally learn more about the wise Mentat . You've sure had quite the history. It was a pleasure to read. Congrats on member of the week!

Can't wait to see some photos!

[Jenste]

Tuesday, tell us about your amphibians. How you came to keep them, mistakes/learning curves, species kept, breedings, how you found Frog Forum etc....we heard enough about you on Monday, let us hear about them frogs!

[Mentat]

Tuesday, tell us about your amphibians. How you came to keep them, mistakes/learning curves, species kept, breedings, how you found Frog Forum etc....we heard enough about you on Monday, let us hear about them frogs!

Hi Jen; here is the story of my babies! Other than my childhood free ranging Toad and Coqui’s, never really had an amphibian until late 2011. A local family owned pet store I do business with, had received 4-5 Pixies and they looked very cute . Started asking questions and when I mentioned it to my son, he searched the internet and sent me a link to your African Bullfrog Care Article. Read that and after a few days mussing over it, prepared a 10G tank and went back to store for one. Funny thing was, the reptile expert (guy knows a lot) told me the males would have larger ridges in the back, so I picked up the most “ridgy” one . Had lot of fun watching it grow like a weed and how interactive it was. Also, became a member here and started learning about frogs and toads too .

Few weeks later got me a 2 in. Ornate Pacman that resulted being a Green Cranwelli. Set that one in a foot square ExoTerra and although way more reclusive than the GABF, it ate and did well too. GABF grew very fast and moved into a 15... then a 20L. By early December it croaked and named it Stilgar (from a Dune novel character). His growth rate would spurt, then slow a bit, and spurt some more. By February the following year it was reaching 6 in. and was quite a character. Pacman grew too and was around 3.5 in. then. Started buying frog books and reading lots about them in the internet. Found them frogs as interesting as fish, a lifetime hobby for me .

Then an unexpected event changed my life last year as I suffered an Isquemic Transient Attack, commonly known as a TIA or warning stroke . It affected my cerebellum and there were some remaining issues with balance and grasp. Also, my Heart suffered a bit too . From 12 aquariums (including 4 salt water ones) and 2 frog enclosures went down to 3 aquariums and a betta tank because could not handle the collection anymore. Sadly got adoptive homes for Stilgar, the Pacman, and many of my fish and invertebrates.

So after initial excitement, things have gone back into some kind of stableness. Rarely loose my balance and stopped fumbling things in hands. Take my meds daily, follow diet, and drink coffee . Still, missed the frogs and this April got me a cute Strawberry Pineapple Pacman I named “Fresita.” Obviously became active in forum again and started helping out other African Bullfrog and Pacman owners in here .

As many of you do, wanted to have more frogs, a vivarium, etc. So got me one of those enclosure made by Tetra’s to set it up for a White’s; but turns out it’s sold as a 29G but in reality is like a 22G and kind of low for a White's . A local shop was trying to get me a related frog, Litorea aurea, (Golden and Green Bell frog) that might be a better fit for that tank. Appears they are seasonal because nothing has come up in a month or so. Would also like to get 2 Ornates, one really dark brown and red and another bright green with very little markings .

And that brings us to the present and my new frog challenge! A bit over a week ago was visiting a pet shop and they where re-doing the reptile/amphibian area. Start looking at the frogs containers piled up in a corner and see a little Pixie among the babies they usually retail. Talking to a friend attendant find out someone got it there a year or more ago. Apparently they wanted a GABF and this one stayed at 3 in. SVL so they traded it. Hum... a miniature Pixie ! That night stayed up late while cleaning up a 10G and set it up with false bottom, EcoEarth, Water dish, and a silk fern. Next day I picked it up and think the following day Jen wrote me about being the Member of the Week... cool !

My new little one has turned to be a challenge so far. Not because it’s sick, but because it has it’s ways and I’m learning them on a trial and error method . So far we have learned it does not like a solid substrate... not at all! Two days ago, took the whole tank apart while frog soaked on a Pedyalite solution and converted it into an aquatic set-up. Now we are talking! Pixie perked up and ate a large night crawler! Then it started moving around tank and checking things out. Yesterday ate another large night crawler dusted with CA/D3 from tongs. Still figuring this frog out, strangely; it appears to struggle while feeding doing little “fake” lounges and missing the food. Maybe it’s still a bit stressed with me or only eats from tongs. Will post couple pics tomorrow and have members try to guess the species and if male or female (I know but not telling).

Plans for the future are to set-up the 22 as an aquatic set-up with a power filter and some kind of water feature for the Pixie. Also, got me an ExoTerra small low and would like to build as a mini-vivarium. Once plants are doing good; will introduce a very small (around 1 in. as adult) frog/s. Any recommendations for inhabitants? If that vivarium works out good... more will follow! Thank you !

[Striped marsh]

Great to learn a little more about you congratulations on member of the week!

[Mentat]

Great to learn a little more about you congratulations on member of the week!

Thank you Jared !

[Mentat]

Hi Jen! Have medical appointment tomorrow morning so will jump the gun and post some pics now. First my new Pixie, lets see what members think is species and if M or F. Was told this frog is a over 1 year old (1.5?) and it's exactly 3 in. SVL. Sorry for pic quality but they were taken with my cellphone and one through the top mesh (needed the light).







And here is Fresita (Strawberry Pineapple) as a cute baby and a bigger juvenile.

[Mentat]

Some pics of Stilgar my first frog (male GABF) as a baby and growing to around 5 in. SVL.







And here is the second frog, a C. cranwelli Pacman.





Will upload some more stuff tomorrow afternoon .

[Mentat]

Hi Carlos! It's wonderful to finally learn more about the wise Mentat . You've sure had quite the history. It was a pleasure to read. Congrats on member of the week!

Can't wait to see some photos!

Thank you Heather !