Yes, another "my RETF won't eat" thread...PLEASE help?

[snoopfrog27244]

Greetings!

I hope this finds you all well! I'll try my best to keep this short and to the point.

BACKGROUND: Purchased a Red-Eyed Tree Frog 8 days ago. Still has not eaten. Been trying the bowl method--dusted and non-dusted gut-loaded crickets (smaller than the space between his eyes). Each morning, the same number of crickets I put in are the same number of crickets I take out.

Now, I am not one to ask questions before trying everything/researching.

HABITAT: Zoo-Med arboreal setup--brand new for brand new frog--no previous inhabitants. 12 hour cycles with minimal full spectrum lighting during the day and complete darkness in the evening--no lights. Temperature is kept between 72-79 and humidity is maintained around 74-75 (average). Tank has plenty of foliage, and branches to climb. Enclosure also has fresh water put in each night before feeding. I usually mist 1-2 times per day in order to keep the humidity as constant as possible. I am also using the moss that came with the original kit--sphagnum moss I believe.

I think I covered most of the essentials--he doesn't appear sick to me, but he isn't eating and obviously I am worried.

I will attach a picture of him sleeping this morning.

Any and all advice is so, so appreciated! Thank you!

[DSLRnerd]

Your froggie is adorable!
Sometimes frogs don't eat while they adjust, but 8 days seems a bit long.
I have the same tank, and my baby Gray was absolutely lost with all the space in there, which made hunting a bit challenging.

When I want to keep track of my frogs eating habits, I place it in a deli cup, turn it on its side and put the food in. Smaller quarters seem to get the frogs to eat, even when they aren't enthusiastical about it.
Perhaps you could try something like that?
Hopefully someone else can chime in.

[snoopfrog27244]

Thank you so much for your reply, Tracey!

I have been trying to leave that to a last resort, but I'm now wondering if I should place him in a separate container tonight with a couple of crickets to see if he will eat. I know he is still getting used to his new surroundings, but as you know, it's hard not to be concerned.

[DigitalPunk]

Welcome to the Forum!!

Red Eye Tree frogs are known for going on hunger strikes when they are stressed. The best thing you can do is let him/her be and try to limit your activity in the tank so you are done adding food and fresh water about 30 min to 60 mins before the lights go out. Reds can go up to 2 weeks without eating before you should start getting concerned. Just be patient. Keep doing what you are doing. If your frog was shipped to you it will be very very stressed.

Put fresh food in every night just like you have been and things will work out. If at the 2 week mark there is still not eating going on than it will be time to look into moving to a smaller enclosure to feed, but this will stress the frog out as well.

[snoopfrog27244]

Thank you for the kind replies. I will try not to worry and keep offering food each night. I did happen to see him moving about last night and even sitting in his water bowl at one point--I guess that's a good sign!?

However, he didn't eat again--I am trying the feeding bowl method. No luck though.

[DigitalPunk]

Being in the water is a good sign. The fact he/she is waking up and moving around at all is a good sign.

Try to not peek in on him/her to much for the next few evenings and see if he will eat when no one is watching

[snoopfrog27244]

Thank you so much! Fingers crossed that the improvements keep coming!