Frogs have been dying :(

[Eric and Stitch]

We have had a few frogs die this year. I dont think it's their age, they all get thin a week or two later, no mater what we do, they die.

QUESTIONS

1----what 'kind' of frog is it ( what species)yedRed Eyed tree frog, luetino, standard and black
2----please include a photo of the frog already Deceased
3----Please include a photo of the frog's current enclosure Will follow
4----size of enclosure ( W" x D" x H" )4 foot tall, 2 foot wide, 18 inches deep.
5----# on inhabitants - ( if there is another frog --- is there a size difference ? ) Started with 4 male and 4 female. one female seems small for her sex but otherwise normal sized.
6----has or was the frog kept with a different species or with any other tank mate not since we've had them.
7----is there a new tank mate----was the new tank mate quarantined Yes, for 1 to 2 months. two black red eyes from Micheal Novy received in November 2013, added to community just after christmas.
8----what is the typical humidity level 80%
9----what temperature is maintained 78*F
10---what is, specifically, being used to maintain the temperature of the enclosure? Aquatic tank heater in bottom water feature.
11---describe the enclosure lighting ( very specifically) Marineland Aquatic Plant 24" LED light programmed with day, 'moon' and night times.
12---describe enclosure maintenance ( water changes, cleaning etc Water is maintained as an aquarium with cleaning fish. above water cleaning is done with Natural Citrus and water.
13---what kind of water is used
-----for mistingTap water run through 3 stage drinking water filter, then allowed to sit a day.
-----for the frog's soaking dish Same as misting
-----is de-chlorinator used / what brand no
14---material(s) used for substrate - be very specific no subtstrate, aquatic bottom with "Viquarium" to supply land side of large stones.
15---enclosure set up:

-----plants( live or artificial) if artificial plants are used are they plastic or fabric Live plants, pothos, creeping charley, Wandering Jew,
-----describe wood, bark , and background material Cork bark wood, carved Styrofoam and great stuff painted with concrete grout.
16---when is the last time the frog ate N/A
17---have you found poop lately community tank.
18---how often is the frog fed nightly, large bowls with 12+ crickets each.
19---what size feeder is given 1/2 inch
20---what other feeders are used as treats
21---what is the frog's main food source crickets
22---do feeders roam free in the enclosure or is the frog bowl fed.
Bowl
23---vitamins - what brand and how often
Reptivite, sproatic
24---calcium - what brand and how often
Reptivite, crickets are maintained on flukers calcium foods.
25---was the frog without calcium for any period of time,
26---approximate age of the frog
1-2 years
27---how long have you owned the frog
Most from Juvenille
28---who cared for the frog before you
Breeder
29---is the frog wild caught or captive bred.
Captive
30---how often the frog is handled -- are gloves used ( what kind of gloves)
no gloves, washed hands. only as necessary.
31---is the enclosure kept in a high or low traffic area.
high traffic for a 2 person home.
30---has or was the frog properly quarantined no
-----for how long
32---has the frog been treated with any medication:
-----for what
-----name of medication
-----for how long
-----what dose
-----was medication prescribed by a herp vet

[Lija]

So sorry for experience like that, it is very sad. (

It is your water that caused the problems, it is not enough to filter water or let it sit. You have to use water conditioner. However i have also questions about quarantine you said you did. Would you please describe specifics, how it looked like exactly.

[Eric and Stitch]

So sorry for experience like that, it is very sad. (

It is your water that caused the problems, it is not enough to filter water or let it sit. You have to use water conditioner. However i have also questions about quarantine you said you did. Would you please describe specifics, how it looked like exactly.

Quarantine is accomplished in a 10 gallon vertical conversion that has plain paper towel bottom, under tank heater, filtered and set out to evaporate chlorine- soaking and misting water, jungle fluorescent light from zoo-med. Zoo-Med fake vine for security.

They are quarantined when I get them, when everything looks fine, they are moved out of quarantine and into the community. I did quarantine the first one when I noticed she was thin, I originally thought it was excessive mating aggression from the males that was inhibiting her ability to feed. three weeks later she died not eating anything more.



We are worrying that we are not the level of caregivers needed for this species.

[Lija]

As i said earlier just to filter water and let it sit is not enough, chlorine nowadays is more stable and doesnt evaporate, filters do their job but even the best of those is not enough. You have to use water conditioner for all water.

The other part of the problem was quarantine. You have to do fecal for all newly purchased frogs and treat them if needs to be. I always recommend to do chytrid testing at the same time. Based on what you are saying she might have had parasite load and stressed too.

Would you be able to post pic of their enclosure to point if smth is off

[Eric and Stitch]

Here is the requested picture of their enclosure. The area with the purple thing in the water has since been filled with large (1-2 inch) aquarium stones. add two months of plant growth too.

[Lija]

What could have caused stress is that your tank is pretty open and small for 4 red eyes. I would consider bigger tank and more stuff in it, especially from the sides.

[LilyPad]

What could have caused stress is that your tank is pretty open and small for 4 red eyes. I would consider bigger tank and more stuff in it, especially from the sides.

4----size of enclosure ( W" x D" x H" )4 foot tall, 2 foot wide, 18 inches deep.

I agree that the tank is pretty open, but unless the dimensions listed above are inaccurate (which could very well be, I am unfamiliar with that tank brand and wouldn't personally know,) it should be plenty big enough for 4 red eyes.

[Lija]

Right, i didnt see it, i looked at where 10 gal were mentioned but it was for quarantine. Agree then size is good.

[deranged chipmunk]

Those dimensions are correct. It's a stunning 55g conversion.




Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[Eric and Stitch]

Close.bit is not a call conversion. That was my previous tank. This a 90 gallon built from scratch. I'll work on more plants. Lower water temp. And water conditions. The vet did give something meds for a parasite or worm. I'll get the name when I'm home again.

[deranged chipmunk]

Doh. Sorry about that. I thought it was the first one you did.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[LilyPad]

Branches would be a great and easy addition. I use oak branches from my yard and bake them at 250 degrees F for a half hour. The 24x18x36 was the old tank and a new one (in the pic?) is 90gal? Just asking because 24x18x36 does not = 90 Gallons.

[deranged chipmunk]

Amy, the tank is 48x24x18. Close enough to 90. So it's not a size issue.

Tyler, you mentioned the vet prescribed parasite meds, did you have a fecal exam done? Or was it via phone?


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela

[LilyPad]

Oy, my math sucks this morning. 4x12=48, not 36 LOL. That still would have been big enough for 4! Hopefully you get this all figured out.

[deranged chipmunk]

Another thought, you may need to force feed them. Seems like the common denominator is them stopping feeding routines. Even if you treat the crickets, it's useless if they don't ingest the meds. I believe heather wrote something about force feeding red eyes somewhere around here.


Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world ~ Nelson Mandela