Red Eyed Tree Frog---- PLEASE HELP!!!

[Kayla Ann]

I am hoping someone can help. I recently got a red eye tree frog on Tuesday for my birthday. I have him in a 10gallon tank with moss on the bottom, 2 fake plants and 2 fake branches to jump around on. I also have the temp between 75-80 and humidity around 80%. He seems happy but I have noticed he doesn’t look like he is eating or moving around. For the last day it seems like he hasn’t moved from his spot. Should I be freaking out? Someone please help me I am new to this and will be heartbroken if something happens to him…

[John]

The conditions sound good. Have you been watching him at night? I assume you know these frogs are only active at night. What are you feeding him? It could be just that he's taking a few days to get used to his enclosure. One thing to bear in mind is that adult red eyes in the pet trade are often wild caught animals and this can increase the chances that they are carrying parasites and disease. Also, it's possible that you may have received an unwell frog to begin with. In any case, I would wait a couple of more days before drawing any conclusions.

[Kayla Ann]

I have been watching him a little… I actually have an alarm set so I can wake up and watch him. He has been moving around him tank. I am feeding him 3-4 medium crickets ever other day. That is what the place I got him from was feeding him.
I am a little paranoid about him being sick. I went to go get him a friend yesterday and they tried to sell me one with white spots all over him back. From research I knew that this was an infection and had them quarantine him. They told me that mine wasn’t in the same tank with the sick one but I don’t trust him. He dosent seem to have any dots or discoloring. Can you give me any ideas on what to look for if he is sick?
Also I have him in a 10 gallon with a screen top. I have been noticing that the humidity levels drop sometimes, never under 70%. Is there anything I can do to keep the levels steady?

Thank you for helping! I just a scared new mommy… lol

[leesahlynn]

Some RETFs have natural whiteish/yellow spots on their backs, it looks similar to the disease you're talking about. Three out of the five I began with had a varied number of spots. It really helps tell them apart, if you name your frogs. :]

You can mist with treated water (i just use cheap bottled water) once or twice a day when you notice the humidity fall. Give him a week to settle in and get to know his new enclosure. Sometimes they only wake up for a few hours, sometimes they're up as soon as it gets dark enough; but he sounds like he's doing fine. Have you caught him just waking up and shedding yet? I was quite worried when I saw it the very first time.

[Kayla Ann]

I saw the spots and got scared.. I didn’t want to get the other one sick. I am naming them. The one I have now is named Turtle and his friend will be names snake. Lol

I have been misting when it gets. I am just over worried that I am going to do something wrong and hurt him. I have not caught him shedding yet but thank god you told me about it because I would of freaked out. Thank you so much for being so helpful!

Also one more thing... should i keep his lamp on the tank 24/7??? I have a 40 red bulb in it

[DonLisk]

No lighting at night is recommended since they are going to be more active when its complete darkness. You can try a moon light later on but let him settle in first. A quiet location is also recommended.

[Kayla Ann]

Thank you so much for all your help! Any other tips are greatly appreciated!

[DonLisk]

Heres a little check list or review of some suggestions for keeping your new frog.

Here is a list of suggestions for the newly acquired frog:
1. Place the tank in a quiet room and not in direct sunlight
2. Cover three sides of the tank and remove any night lighting.
3. Ensure their environmental needs are met such as temperature and humidity.
3. Ensure water is either chlorine free (bottled spring) or treated tap water.
4. Limit the times you enter the tank to only when changing water and adding or removing crickets.
5. Monitor humidity and temperature and mist once to twice daily.
6. Provide enough natural accents to allow for hiding, climbing, and perching above the substrate. Since your frog lives in trees, they are rarely found on the substrate and prefer to move from leaf to vine to branch to explore the tank.
7. Slowly remove covered sides over a few weeks to let them become accustomed to their surroundings.
8. Ensure the crickets provided are no longer than the width between the frogs eyes.
9. Monitor the frogs activity and weight. If your frog moves around at night in the dark and soaks or sits at the water dish edge, then he/she is doing fine. If a physical visual condition is seen, then its time to worry.


and finally..... relax. That is what your frog needs to do and you should too.

[Heatheranne]

Remember to sprinkle your frog's crickets with calcium/vitamin D3 powder too.

[Kayla Ann]

One last question. I am having a problem keeping the heat up in hus tank. It hasent gone under 70 but i know that is low. I have a 40 red bulb in there now. Ne ideas on what i should do.

[Sierra]

Are you using a heating mat? You can get them for about $20-40 at a pet store, and they stick to the side or bottom of the cage.

[DonLisk]

In the day time you can use a Compact Florescent bulb to raise temps slightly. The Reveal DAYLIGHT 20 watt should be good and are available at any Walmart for about 5 bucks. These 6500K color temp bulbs are good for plants too.

An Under Tank Heat Pad on one side of the tank will keep temps up at night and not disturb the frog by adding lighting.