I recently rescued a tadpole from a store that was going to flush it because they could not sell it. I already had a cycled aquarium that I had intended to use for guppies, so I brought it home and it perked right up.
It has been identified as either a green frog or american bullfrog, and is about 1.5 inches long. Lately, however, s/he has started becoming lethargic, not eating as much, and this morning I noticed it is getting pale. In fact, I thought it had died several times due to not moving for hours and only moved when I tried to scoop it out, assuming the worst.
I have had it for a week, been feeding pleco algae-enriched wafers, boiled lettuce, and once in a while the squashed innards of a thawed pea. The tank is at room temperature, which is always in the upper 60s/lower 70s. I also have a CFL light on a 10/14 cycle, and do frequent small water changes (just enough to siphon poo out of the gravel. Readings are 0-0-.25.
Is my tadpole just getting ready to go through metamorphosis, trying to hibernate, or is it sick? :/
i'm afraid to say that it is probably getting ill. this is especially true if the tadpole hangs out near the surface of the water a lot. most of the time this is related to poor water quality/not enough oxygen. I would do a water change and throw some melafix/pimafix and hope for the best. can you upload an image?
Luckily I did a large water change and added some plants, and it seems to have helped a lot! It is still laying about all the time, though, but I am not sure how active it's supposed to be. It is still the same size, but more 'frog-shaped', rather than a balloon. I think it may have parasites though, it's poop is clear and 'stringy'. I have not fed the peas or lettuce since my previous post. I will upload pictures of the tad as soon as possible but I can't guarantee good quality. I am also going to test for parasite eggs once I find my microscope.
He is still having clear, white, or undigested stool longer than the tadpole itself--- unfortunately I don't have a working microscope any more. He also now has red spots on his belly.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)