Sick or Simply not Hungry?

[Geoff]

Not sure if I'm paranoid or not, but i just would like some outside opinions.

My Albino ACF has not been eating like he usually does. In fact, since I moved my female frog in with him, he hasn't really acted the same. He used to happily swim to the top of the tank and eagerly wait for his food, but now, he just simply doesn't do it. At first I feared a bacterial infection may be the culprit, so I proceeded to give the tank a good cleaning and subsequently adding Melafix to the tank daily (I was unable to locate any Tetracycline anywhere). That was about a week and a half ago. Up until a few days ago, I could put the food up to his face and he'd eat some of it, but for the last day or two, he just pushes it aside. I don't want to underfeed him, but it is difficult to keep a constant surveillance on him to see that he eats when his tank mate goes to great lengths to snuff out any food in the aquarium. I just can't figure out what his deal is, if there's anything wrong at all. I took a few pictures of him tonight for you all to look at, and you all can tell me if there's anything you see amiss.

I kept and bred Xenopus for 26 years. In my opinion there's no evidence to suggest that your frog is ill. It's not uncommon for these frogs to stop eating for a period of time for no apparent reason. In your position I'd just be patient and stay vigilant. It would take many months for a well-fed frog to starve to death. Administering random medications in the hope of curing an undiagnosed illness is likely to do more harm than good.

[PineappleProducer]

In that case, I guess I'll just bump the tank cleaning up to once a week and just go from there. I'm just hoping it's because he ain't hungry. The only thing that is making me nervous is that he does indeed eat, if i touch the food to his mouth (granted it's pretty much just bloodworms that he pays any attention to). And when they go through a phase of not eating, do they become less active? Comparing my two right now is like night and day.

[Geoff]

The only things I can add to my last post is that if, as you say, your frog is eating after all, then it's unlikely you have anything to worry about because sick animals usually do not eat at all. Also, the behaviour traits of individual frogs aren't always entirely consistent with those of their tank mates. My advice is to stop worrying unduly because, based on the information you've provided, in my opinion, there's no significant problem with your frog.

[craig121]

HI PP

Defo keep up the tank cleaning �� and go from there # it's a misconception these guys wild live in boggy murky dirty water and will be fine# yes they do live in that habitat and love it* but there is no amonia nitrate or nitrite in wild conditions so please 25% water change weekly(using gravel siphon) and break down filter monthly����

KEEP POSTING YOUR FROGS LOOK BRILL

[PineappleProducer]

Now I'm a bit concerned. I woke up this morning to find this. His left leg almost appears to have a mass of sorts. It's hard to see in the pictures, but it's especially noticeable to the naked eye.

[craig121]

Now I'm a bit concerned. I woke up this morning to find this. His left leg almost appears to have a mass of sorts. It's hard to see in the pictures, but it's especially noticeable to the naked eye.

Sorry PP am more into prevention than cure hopefully someone can help your Froggy

[PineappleProducer]

I hope so. I love this frog, and I'm very saddened by his condition.

[craig121]

I kept and bred Xenopus for 26 years. In my opinion there's no evidence to suggest that your frog is ill. It's not uncommon for these frogs to stop eating for a period of time for no apparent reason. In your position I'd just be patient and stay vigilant. It would take many months for a well-fed frog to starve to death. Administering random medications in the hope of curing an undiagnosed illness is likely to do more harm than good.

Regardless of your keeping experience if you had bothered an looked back her previous posts & problems then the losses there lies the evidence !7j