New Pacman Frog buried and not moving at all.

[bluebeetle]

Hi all, we are so new to having frog as a pet and need your help. We just got Pacman frog (1.5in) last Sunday from Pet Smart and set up everything as we were told but seems to have made some mistakes here and there. First, we used a tap water to fill his pool and mist. Secondly, we couldn't make the heat pat stuck on the bottom of the tank (adhesive is not strong enough and keeps falling) so it was probably cold at night after we turned off the light. He was moving around when we put him in the tank. That night, he buried himself halfway. The next morning (day 2), we couldn't see him at all in day time while light was on but saw him at night sticking his head out from substrate. Day 2 evening, we gave him 4 young crickets and two seem to be gone but other 2 are still in tank alive. Then yesterday to until now, we cannot see him. He is completely buried in substrate and not moving at all.
All though the heat pad wasn't working, our place is central heated so temperature was definitely warmer than 65F. Has it been too cold? Also we are having hard time to keep humidity bet 70%-80% with light on. Any advice will be appreciated.

[Strider18]

Since you just got him/her it is probably just adjusting to its new home. For now I would just cover 3-4 sides of the tank with black paper to help speed up the process And another thing, pacmans generally aren't active frogs in the first place

[LilyPad]

The heat mat should never be on the bottom anyway in case they burrow they could potentially burn themselves. I agree with covering 3-4 sides of the tank. Take any uneaten crickets out so they do not bite your frog and stress him out more. You can cover the top of the tank with saran wrap or a piece of glass, or something of the sort to help hold in moisture (keep an opening for the light.)

Read this -- Frog Forum - Pacman and Horned Frogs - Ceratophrys - Care and Breeding

[Lija]

Hi and welcome to the forum!


Petsmart..... Again.....

you got some great advise already. Would you please answer these questions, Along with pics of a frog and enclosure. Thank you.

“Trouble in the Frog Enclosure”
The following information will be very helpful if provided when requesting assistance with either your frog or enclosure. To help with your questions, please utilize the below list and post the information in the proper forum area to get advice from FF members that keep the same frog. This will allow for little confusion and a faster more informed response.

1. Size of enclosure
2. # of inhabitants - specifically other frogs and size differences
3. Humidity
4. Temperature
5. Water - type - for both misting and soaking dish
6. Materials used for substrate
7. Enclosure set up i.e. plants (live or artificial), wood, bark and other materials.
- How were things prepared prior to being put into the viv.
8. Main food source
9. Vitamins and calcium? (how often)
10. Lighting
11. What is being used to maintain the temperature of the enclosure
12. When is the last time he/she ate
13. Have you found poop lately
14. A pic would be helpful including frog and enclosure (any including cell phone pic is fine)
15. Describe frog's symptoms and/or recent physical changes; to include it's ventral/belly area.
16. How old is the frog
17. How long have you owned him/her
18. Is the frog wild caught or captive bred
19. Frog food- how often and if it is diverse, what other feeders are used as treats
20. How often the frog is handled
21. Is the enclosure kept in a high or low traffic area
22. Describe enclosure maintenance (water changes, cleaning, etc)

by Lynn(Flybyferns) and GrifTheGreat.

[bluebeetle]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all of your advice. I have read many articles about care of Pacman before I post my thread but some said it's okay to do that or never do it. I was confused. I will cover tank with black paper now!

[bluebeetle]

Hi Lynn,

Seems Pet Smart is not a great place to get a pet frog?...

Here is my answers;

1. 10G terrarium (Zilla 10 Tropical Starter Kits)
2. 1 Pacman frog sized 1.5 inch
3. 50%-70%
4. 65F-75F
5. First we did tap water for both his pool and mist. Now 100% natural spring water
6. Eco earth
7. Artificial plant, plastic rock look like hiding and some decorative slates.
8. young crickets (small and pale color ones)
9. never
10. a day blue bulb which came with kit (Zilla 1- tropical starter kit)
11. a day blue bulb and heat mat which didn't stick on the wall so it might not have done anything.
12. possibly 2 nights ago but no one saw he actually ate. Put 4 crickets and 2 seem to be gone.
13. No
14. will try it tomorrow when I have light.
15. He buried himself completely and can't be seen at all. Also there is no sign of him having moved and changed his place to burrow.
16. We are not sure- his size is about 1.5in.
17. 4days
18. Captive bred
19. We fed him 2 nights ago for the first time at our home but not since then (there are still 2 crickets in tank that I will take out tomorrow)
20. One time when I put him into tank
21. low traffic area in sunroom
22. changing pool water everyday and mist 4-5 times a day to maintain even 50% of himidity

Thanks for your help, Lynn. I will try to post some pics of enclosure tomorrow. We really hope he is only adjusting himself to his new home, not being sick!!! Can I have advice for how to keep temperature warm enough without the useless heat pad never sticks on tank wall at night and also humidity in daytime with light on. Do I need to dump eco earth?