My Pacman Frog isn't eating anymore.

[MeTree]

Hey guys.

My Pacman stopped eating crickets afew days ago. He has gotten really skiddish, and he pannics when he sees me. I move him into a cricket feeding bin, and he just stares at the wall, or he tries to escape. He has faded in color abit. I am really worried about him.

Here are afew things that I think might be why he is acting this way:

• Moved from regular tank to feeding tank almost daily
• I keep picking him up, and sometimes I fail to wear gloves
• I showed him an Earthworm and he freaked out and hasn't shown interest in food since
• I took out his fake plant
• I tried to feed him guppies in very shallow water
• I switched his diet from adult crickets to small crickets
• Pacman Frog ate a small mouthful of cocofiber about a week ago

I feel terrible looking at this list. I feel like a bad frog keeper. I need to stop picking him up with my bare hands. I am going to move him to a 10 gallon tank, hopefully tomorrow.

Is it safe for me to feed my Pacman Frog in his tank? Is it unlikely that he will become impacted? I usually watch him closely when I feed him on substrate. I really don't want to stress him out anymore.

I really don't want to lose my Pacman Frog!

If you think you know what might be causing his recient loss of appetite and color, please help! I am worried sick about my Pacman Frog!

[MeTree]

Ok guys. If there is anything I know for sure about my Pacman Frog (other than that it is a boy), it is that it LOVES mealworms and waxworms. Loves with all his little heart. I wish I could feed them as a staple, but that wouldn't be good for my Pacman Frog's health.

I assume since we are talking about 2 different worms, with 2 different problems (fatty and hard exo-skeleton), they have different times I can feed them (or can't feed them in this case). I think it is pretty much Ok for me to feed 2 Mealworms a week. I have NO CLUE how often I am supposed to feed my Pacman Frog Waxworms. My Pacman Frog doesn't eat pinkies yet (although he just got 2" so I will probably get him one next time I go to Petsmart!), so if that has an impact on how many waxies it eats...

Right now, it is deathly afraid of Earthworms, even the "baby" Earthworms. I know earthworms are good for a staple, but he just will not eat them.

Suggestions?

[berksmike]

I wouldnt worry as these frogs can go long periods without eating. Make sure your temperstures are ok etc. Is he pooping ok? Could just be hes a bit full and needs to get a "load" off lol Its inevitable that he may swallow small amounts of substrate - often when mine lunge they actually make a good job of scraping any substrate off prey and their tongue. Is there any reason you are moving him to and from into a feeding tank? I know that some people do this - I personally dont as I would have thought the constant movement would just stress the frog out.
With regard the waxworms I would only use these as a treat or to fatten him up if hes skinny - nutritionally they are not great and the frogs can get a taste for them resulting in them turning their nose up at other food! Try soldier fly larvae (calciworms/phoenix worms)if you can get them as they have a much better calcium content

[MeTree]

Thank you for your reply!

I had been moving him to a feeding tank, but now that he is 2", I am beginning to think that that is unnecessary. I want to keep him in his brand new 10 gallon tank. He seems to enjoy the numerous caves in there. He is exploring it because it is alot bigger than his old 7qt. he was in this morning.

Do you know where I can find the "Pheonix worms"? I have heard of them before. If I was to order them off the internet, shipping would cost a fortune. Are these found in pet store chains like Petsmart or Petco?

He seems to have calmed down abit since I moved him to his 10g tank. He likes his new cave under "grapevine driftwood" (which isn't really driftwood). I have a hygrometer and thermometer in there, and I am waiting for the heater to get here today or tomorrow. I need to get some pictures. I thought that my Pacman would look smaller in a bigger tank, but just the opposite! He looks unquestionably 2" in there. A big, growing Pacman Frog indeed.

[berksmike]

well thats good to hear. Ive found these frogs will eat only if they are hungry (which is generally most of the time!) but if they have had a really big feed they can go quite a while without eating. Is worth keeping an eye on his bowel movements just to make sure he is passing ok. Plus remember at this stage their growth rate can be astounding so keep up your calcium/vitamin dusting as well.
He'll soon be growing nicely!
I cant comment on US phoenix worm suppliers but found these:
http://www.phoenixworm.com/servlet/StoreFront

Obviously I havent ordered from this supplier as I'm in the UK but sure anyone who has can give you feedback.

[artes]

I feed mine in his 10 gallon - I always have. Whenever he gets dirt in his mouth, he scrapes it out with his feet. Mostly though, he just holds his mouth open and waits for the crickets to hop in (sad how well that works). As long as your hands are clean (without soap residue), picking him up with your bare hands isn't THAT big of a deal. I wash them thoroughly with natural glycerin soap (no residue). My Toadstool eats a staple of crickets that are dusted (I alternate calcium and multi-vitamin), and has shown no interest in other food at all. It is possible he has trouble seeing the smaller crickets you're feeding him - maybe go back up to bigger ones.