African dwarf frogs, new owner problems

[kyle]

The one I isolated died less than an hour later. As I couldn't get to the shop today, now I've got to wait until Monday to get back to the store. I assume I need to bring that guy back if I ask for any sort of refund? It's just pretty distasteful and somewhat disturbing to have a dead pet in a jar, even if I just got him.

The other guy seems to be doing just fine, but he hasn't eaten his bloodworms yet. This is just past the 24 hour mark of having him home, so that doesn't seem too unusual to me. All we got for food were frozen bloodworms. I'm hoping that's an OK diet?

The tank hadn't been cycled. It's a new 5.5(?) gallon tank, rinsed, filled with tap water, and let sit for 24 hours. I tested the water with a multi-test aquarium strip, and aside from being slightly alkaline, everything read safe.

[kyle]

Update: the second frog died within a few hours of posting that.

I returned the death-trap tank, and brought the two poor frogs back. They refunded my money for the tank, and gave me store credit for the frogs.

I went back to look at the tank they came from. It was full of dead frogs. Really, obviously, dead frogs. I'm thinking I want to get replacement frogs from somewhere else, but I honestly don't know if any other store will be better. This was about the most reputable aquarium store I've seen in ages.



Edit: Spelling

[Felis]

Hi Kyle,

I´m very sorry to read this.

It´s a good thing you could return the tank (very accomodating behavior of the store). Obviously, there was something very wrong with the whole batch of frogs if you actually could see dead ones in the tank of the LSF.

I would try to get frogs from private breeders (local aquarium clubs, classified ads etc) which were raised, fed and kept adequately. Also, it´s always a good idea to get as much information as possible about the needs of new pets before buying , if you didn´t already. This is a nice article to start FrogsArtNeale

Good luck!

Edit: Somehow, I didn´t see your message before. 5.5 gal is ok for ADFs, but it should be cycled. Frogs aren´t as nitrite-sensitive as fish, but it´s still poisonous in higher amounts. 24 hours after the setup, the nitrogen cycle didn´t start yet, so it´s pretty normal that your readings were fine. Please read about the cycling process if necessary; now that you unfortunately lost your frogs, there will be enough time to let the tank cycle.
Bloodworms are ok as a treat, but I would recommend alternating with brine shrimps, daphnia, glassworms, black mosquito larvae, mysis, pieces of earthworms, tubifex, enchytraea etc. as bloodworms don´t contain all the nutrients an ADF needs. All foods should be life or frozen instead of freeze dried.

[kyle]

Update: tank has been cycling(?) for a week now, assuming leaving it with a filter running and a plant in it is cycling...The readings according to the multi-test strips (I think all but ph was in PPM)nitrate is safe at 20nitrite is at 0hardness at 150chlorine is at 0alkalinity at 300ph at 7.8Will that be safe for the froggies? If it is, I was going to pick up two, and try again.Thanks!

[Felis]

Hi,

one week is a very short time Usually, the cycling process takes about 4-8 weeks. Nitrite will peak during this time and then drop to 0 again as soon as the beneficial bacteria have grown. Nitrate will raise as nitrite is oxidated into nitrate. Theoretically, it is possible to get the frogs before, but then you will have to monitor the nitrite readings at least once daily. If the reading is > 0.3, you will have to do substantial water changes to get the nitrite < 0.3, maybe several times per day which is a lot of work (in my experience, the frogs can handle nitrite readings up to 0.3 for a short time, but nitrite is toxic to them, so you would have to realize any behavioural changes. Some individuals may react to lower readings. Also, frequent water changes will extend the cycling process, so you would have to be very, very careful for several weeks). Especially for unexperienced owners, it´s way more safe to wait until the cycling is complete. It´s best to just be patient and check the water every other day

[frogphibian]

Im going to be honest I recommend buying them online from a reputable reptile/amphibian dealer.