Duncan - A Mini Pyxie Frog

[Mentat]

I discovered Duncan, a male Pixie, at a local pet shop couple weeks ago . Apparently the owner/s were not pleased with it's small size (it's over a year old and 3 in. SVL) and traded it in . 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 after releasing into it's new home, saw it carefully get under the fern and stayed put.



The first week was challenging because other than making a small depression; it stayed put with no reaction to food. Then a film started to cover frog and eyes went opaque without the normal signs of a shed (stretching, rubbing, etc.). Not sure if there was an eye infection; gave him a Pedialyte/Honey bath that worked wonders on him. Film came off (like a shed) and while on bath I converted his tank into a mostly water enclosure. That night he ate a large night crawler and moved around tank checking things out. Guess Duncan does not like a solid substrate under him.



Since then, he gets a water change daily and eats 2-3 large fat night crawlers. First was plain, then a dusting of Repta Boost the next day; then onto a normal sequence of Repashy's CA/D3 2X and vitamins 1X weekly on different days. Yesterday, when I went to clean and feed him, it was waiting for me by the front glass and attacked the siphon hose... cool .



What is interesting about this Pixie is that it's tiny, has big black eyes, and shares both P. adspersus and P. edulis characteristics. As you can see from pics, it shares P. adspersus looks and long unbroken dorsal ridges. But then it also shares P. edulis traits of small size, distance between eye and tympanum is equal (or nearly so) to eye diameter, white spot on tympanum, and slight webbing between toes. Now this could very well be a stunted GABF; but why would previous owners underfeed if they wanted a big frog?



Really do not care about the species other than satisfying my curiosity of knowing what he is. I've quickly grown fond of Duncan and actually would prefer he stays at 3 in. SVL and healthy. Stating that because stunted animal can have serious health issues.

Got 2 enclosures available to upgrade, one is a 29G (really a 22G 30Lx12Wx16H) Tetra Deluxe Repto Habitat and the other one is an EcoTerra Small Low (18x18x12H). Plan is to make it a water habitat with a small dry area in case he wants to dry it's feet. Really like the one pictured here in post no. 2: http://www.frogforum.net/african-bul...s-set-ups.html so will try to build something similar. Any suggestions about future set-up and decor are welcome. Also, feel free to post your ideas on differentiating P. adspersus from P. edulis! Thank you and have a nice day !

[Lija]

love love love the guy! first pic he is all cute, like a lost puppy and then he is getting less and less "lost" lol

[Mentat]

love love love the guy! first pic he is all cute, like a lost puppy and then he is getting less and less "lost" lol

Thanks Lija! As soon as he eats it's fill; goes puff up, hunch down, back into corner defense posture !

[danfrog]

I could go for one of those!

[danfrog]

Isn't there four types of african bull frogs? I think I've read something about the different types. I haven't really studied them too much.

[Mentat]

]Isn't there four types of african bull frogs? I think I've read something about the different types. I haven't really studied them too much.[/COLOR]

Thanks for comments Dan! This classification guide is from the last genus revision earlier this year: http://www.frogforum.net/african-bul...us-status.html. Sadly the authors did not collect new specimens or conduct DNA analysis. Some specimens available in US market are clear cut; but others are not. Unsure if there are hybrids around or just 4 genus with regional morphs .

[danfrog]

Ah yes. When I saw this post I immediately started reading up. This is what I found. http://www.frogforum.net/african-bul...fferences.html . This was the most Informative thing I could find unfortunately.

[GrifTheGreat]

There are rumors of Hybridization between the species, but scientists really don't have any definitive proof. Regardless seeing frogs with the traits of two species is quite interesting.

[Mentat]

There are rumors of Hybridization between the species, but scientists really don't have any definitive proof. Regardless seeing frogs with the traits of two species is quite interesting.

Until scientists perform DNA analysis on the genus, we are going to be left with our doubts. Apparently it also happens with other frog species. The "Freddy Kruger" hybrid created by the Frog Ranch, could be a naturally occurring hybrid (currently labeled a species) found where the two originating species overlap .

[Truffs1178]

Aww he's adowable. Seriously I would love to have him. So cute.

[Monza geckos]

All the badass of a bull frog but it doesn't get freakishly big awesome