Feeding Options

[veggiemom]

So I had some Fire Bellied Toads when I was younger, and I miss them dearly. However, I know their typical staple diet is crickets, and I can't do live food (various reasons). Is it possible to feed them a staple of frozen bloodworms or any other frozen foods?

[billybatz9]

They usually only eat live food. They need to see movement to recognize the food. I have yet met anyone who has fed their frogs pre-killed or frozen foods. And trust me, I have various reasons why I don't want (live food) in my house anymore lol

[veggiemom]

Thank you, I kind of figured that. Would they take live blackworms in a dish? That is pretty much the only live food I could handle having in the house. Haha. But I'm mostly concerned about the nutrition part of it. Obviously I wouldn't want to feed them anything that wasn't good for them.

[Mentat]

Hello and welcome to FF! If you are able to handle blackworms... how about earthworms? If answer is yes (and you or someone in family can handle cutting them in smaller pieces if necessary); then we got some possible frog species you could keep.

If the answer is no; then can only recommend African Dwarf Frogs. Those will do OK with a varied diet of pellets, blackworms, and other small aquatic foods. Good luck !

[veggiemom]

Sorry my response took so long! I have a newly crawling daughter and have been running around like crazy. I spoke with my husband and we agreed that we could handle crickets if they were being fed once a week. Earthworms we've done in the past, and I just can't do that again. So would the toads be ok with a once a week feeding? I've seen really conflicting information about how often to feed them, and I definitely wouldn't want to starve them. If not, are there any frogs that would do well on that schedule?

[billybatz9]

Uoh, thats trouble lol. My nephew is getting there at that point. Once a week would be very hard and yes they would starve. Any frog or reptile that you get will need to eat often. (Except snakes) your best bet would be a fully grown pacman frog or pixie frog. They eat a lot in one feeding and will need to be fed less often. Like every 3 to 4 days (pushing it)

[veggiemom]

Hmm... The caresheet on this website says once or twice a week, but I've also heard every other day is absolutely necessary. I guess I'm just confused with all the different opinions, and I want to do the right thing for my potential future toads.

[TheRealJovA]

It sucks because you have to go back to the store like everyday to get crickets . I want to breed crickets but Idk how? ...


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[Mentat]

Hmm... The caresheet on this website says once or twice a week, but I've also heard every other day is absolutely necessary. I guess I'm just confused with all the different opinions, and I want to do the right thing for my potential future toads.

Well, it depends on the Toads age. A baby would need daily feeding while an adult could get by with 1-2 feedings a week. I've not kept FBTs; but the members that wrote that care article are very experienced and think would not inform you wrong.

It sucks because you have to go back to the store like everyday to get crickets . I want to breed crickets but I dont know how? ...

Frog Forum - Culturing Crickets - Care and Breeding of the Common House Cricket

[MatthewM1]

Adults will do fine with 2 good feedings a week. I used to feed every other day and they were eating to the point of becoming obese. Just make sure you feed the crickets some good quality food for 12-24 hours before feeding them off. And don't forget calcium w/d3 powder and multivitamin. I use the calcium 1x/week and multivitamin every other week, not on the same day as each other. And again this is for adult FBT's, froglets/juvies need more than this.

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[veggiemom]

Ok good, I didn't think that a caresheet written here by experienced keepers would have incorrect information, but I like to ask people directly myself anyway. If I do end up getting some they will definitely be adults. Me and my husband are very familiar with the calcium/d3/multivitamin (we own a Uromastyx) so that won't be a problem. Would I be able to alternate different foods for each feeding? Like crickets once a week and another food once a week also?

[MatthewM1]

Feed as much of a variety as you can

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[veggiemom]

Ok great! Is there a certain food that is better for them nutritionally that I should use along with the crickets?

[MatthewM1]

Small dubias are a good one, any small roach really. Cut up nightcrawlers are another if you can get them to take em, I've had mixed results. Use mealworms very sparingly if at all

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[veggiemom]

Yea, I don't do mealworms because of all the possible things that can go wrong. I've been researching dubias, and was wondering if those would actually be a better staple diet than crickets? They seem to have a better nutrition content.

[MatthewM1]

Yes they would be. Each has its pros and cons. With crickets you just dump em in and your done. Dubias will burrow/hide/play dead. So it's a little more effort to make sure they are eating them. You can tong or hand feed them. Or use a glass feeding dish

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[veggiemom]

Ok, I'll probably look more into those. Thank you everyone for your help!

[veggiemom]

So I have another question. :P What about phoenix worms? I've been reading that they are a safe staple that has enough calcium without dusting. Would these be a possibility?

[ejh805]

My frogs have never been able to digest Phoenix worms. However, I have only fed them to tree frogs. They always poo them out completely whole and undigested. It couldn't hurt to buy some and see how it goes with your firebellies though.

[veggiemom]

Ah, ok. If they are able to digest them, do you think it would be ok to use those on a regular basis? Maybe alternating between those and crickets?