New PACMAN owner - few questions

[LJ]

Hey guys! I just got a Pacman frog. I'm pretty excited about watching him get big and grow. Hes only about the size of a quarter right now. I have him a 10g tank. I've put some moss in there with him and some other live plants to keep the humidity up. Right now its sitting at about 70%. Temperature wise I'm at 80 steadily. I can't seem to get the temperature to go down with the night lamp without turning off the light completely, in which case it goes down to the 60's.

A few dumb newbie questions..

I'm cutting up night crawlers for him right now. They are about the size of his mouth. But, he doesn't seem very interested (I even put them right in front of his mouth!). I haven't even had him for 24 hours yet. Could it be that hes still a bit stressed from the move? If he doesn't eat by tomorrow night should I consider feeding him crickets or something? Will he go after them? I feel like hes so inactive (i know they're inactive frogs) that a cricket may be too much for him to get his hands on. Their eyes seem very exposed too. Anything to look out for there?

Any tips for a newbie?


Thanks guys!!!!

[plasticfaye]

Welcome to FF, LJ. =)

I've had my pacmans for a little less than a month and they do not recognize the crawlers as food right away. I had to wiggle and tease the front of each frog's mouth holding crawler bits in tongs until they had a go. My C. cranwelli took to it well, but is still learning tongs = food. My fantasy takes more persistence. I picked up this tactic after watching some YouTube how-to's from Ivory Reptiles. =)

These frogs generally have a good appetite, but if he's not eating after you've teased him for two minutes, I'd leave him to settle in or wait for a bowel movement. Someone more experienced can give better advice on whether he's too stressed to eat and how long to wait.

[LJ]

Thanks for your reply!

I'm currently debating on which direction to go with heating. I'm buying a new wattage for my bulbs today and considering a UTH heater to place on the side of tank. If I were to have a backdrop for him, should I place it over top the back drop or underneath in direct contact with the glass (curious if its a fire hazard). I understand it should go on the side since Pacmans love to burrow. Anywho any tips on a good place to get some moss for him? Thanks!!

[plasticfaye]

I wouldn't put an UTH over a background, like you said, no direct contact, so it won't provide heat. I'm also leery about a fire hazard.

Instead, I have my UTH on the side instead of the back, so you really don't notice it. It works best when you pile up the substrate against it, otherwise it doesn't really do anything for ambient temperature, but because pacs burrow, they'll use that spot when they want to.

What kind of moss are you looking for? Like to grow in a vivarium or just something for decor? I am a big online shopper and have some live moss and lichen for a viv from ebay, very cheep. I would get a pet-specific brand from PetSmart, Amazon, or LLLReptile.com if you just want decor, and not from Wal-Mart or a craft store (dyes).

[LJ]

I wouldn't put an UTH over a background, like you said, no direct contact, so it won't provide heat. I'm also leery about a fire hazard.

Instead, I have my UTH on the side instead of the back, so you really don't notice it. It works best when you pile up the substrate against it, otherwise it doesn't really do anything for ambient temperature, but because pacs burrow, they'll use that spot when they want to.

What kind of moss are you looking for? Like to grow in a vivarium or just something for decor? I am a big online shopper and have some live moss and lichen for a viv from ebay, very cheep. I would get a pet-specific brand from PetSmart, Amazon, or LLLReptile.com if you just want decor, and not from Wal-Mart or a craft store (dyes).

Well, I was reading moss can do a lot for humidity. Since I'm a rookie, I'm looking for all the little tricks I can get to make it as comfortable for him as possible. One mistake I made, that I wish I wouldn't have is I purchased my frog on a whim. I was piranha keeper for a long time and made the same mistake. But, they made it through and actually grew to thrive, but it made the first week a bit stressful on me and I'm sure the fish. Well, apparently I didn't learn my lesson since here I am..

[WorldClassFrogCoddler]

One mistake I made, that I wish I wouldn't have is I purchased my frog on a whim.

I did the same damn thing.. It's too late for us to take it back now, so all we can do is give the frog the best care possible to make up for it. And not let ourselves do it again. Don't feel too bad though, we all make mistakes bud.

Anyway you're here learning to give your new frog good care, so the frog is gonna have a good life and you'll have a cool pet for years.

[plasticfaye]

Well, I was reading moss can do a lot for humidity.

Oh, right. Sorry, you said that in your original post and I skimmed over it. Yes, live plants and moss help stabilize ambient humidity, but pacs are not as sensitive as other amphibians and a decent depth of EcoEarth will be plenty sufficient to provide him with a humid retreat. The top layer will dry out daily and need re-wetting, but below 1.5 - 2 inches, it will retain a LOT of moisture. A glass or Plexiglas top (or half-top) will help too. You can sheets of either cut to size at Lowes and Home Depot.

One of his tactics is spinning in place like a tank turret. He will spin all the way around away from the food or tongs. My arm was getting tired easily trying to keep up with him so I had to change tactics.

Lol, yup. I've seen mine try the same.

[WorldClassFrogCoddler]

I had to wiggle and tease the front of each frog's mouth holding crawler bits in tongs until they had a go. My C. cranwelli took to it well, but is still learning tongs = food. My fantasy takes more persistence. I picked up this tactic after watching some YouTube how-to's from Ivory Reptiles. =)

Same here. My cranwelli is a really picky eater because he was raised on only crickets, likely with no vitamins or calcium on them, at PetSmart. He had never eaten from tongs and he's still learning. He also seems to dislike the vitamin or calcium d3 dust, not sure which. So he puts up a struggle. One of his tactics is spinning in place like a tank turret. He will spin all the way around away from the food or tongs. My arm was getting tired easily trying to keep up with him so I had to change tactics. Now I put him in a tiny tupperware container and when he spins I just turn the whole container so he's back facing the tongs. It takes 'persistance and perserverance' as the Ivory's say. I highly reccommend that you watch their instructional videos on YouTube, they're very clear videos with clear audio, and the Ivory's know their stuff.

Now I've got the little guy tong feeding regularly, but also give him crickets too in between worms.