HELP! white patches underside, Pipa pipa

[Fabrizio]

Hello, I bought a pair of Pipa pipa at an expo, 3 weeks ago; I keep them in 60 liters, added a few cc of pure turf decoction, and nothing else. I give frozen Atherinidae (little fresh water fishes), and they are eaten; but I'm not sure both of them are actually eating. I noticed male was a bit less active, more on the bottom and with close webs, while females keeps them rather extended. 2 Days ago I noticed some White small areas on male webs and leg, and now, after putting him upside down, I see he has plenty of White Patches Could you suggest me a prompt treatment? Bleu Methylene? I have it in powder, how much should I put for each liter of bathing? Here his picture : http://i60.tinypic.com/2mequ7m.png

[Ted]

The first thing I notice is you didn't mention the temperature,,,it's got to be warm..80-82 degrees f...also encourage them to eat slightly "subdued " nightcrawlers..raise the temperature..

[Fabrizio]

Thank you Ted - The temperature is lower, room temperature (around 22-24 °C ) and I was said to avoid too high temperatures ( above 27-28 )... But I understand there is still too few knowledge, I can raise temperature as soon, female look fine anyhow. But what about White Patches? I can't say for sure if he had had them since beginning -female seems to have not, however. He has darker complexion since beginning, while female is beige. As to earthworms, I bought some in fish shop, but is there risk for parasites? Better to deep-freeze them previously?

[Ted]

The temperature should be 27.2c...my 81 degreesf...they are from the upper amazon and are a tropical frog...my guess the correct temperature will take care of it,,unless it's just his coloring..keep the worms alive,,not frozen,they feed more at night so give them something to eat just before you go to sleep.i feed mine the same time every night,,or else he starts clicking at me..

[Fabrizio]

Thank you Ted, I'll try to warm their tank _perhaps Tomorrow morning, it's 2,15 AM here in Italy and I would be well awake to put each thing right- So it's definitely safe, feeding them with live (or chopped) earthworms, as you buy them at the fishing shop?

[Ted]

Exactly correct,,,fishing nightcrawlers,,now,ummm,,you have to "subdue" them,,they could be crazy powerful,I've seen frogs eat a nightcrawler, and have the crawler just bust his way out ,so you soften them up a little,take the fight out of them as it be..