What the heck are "they?" They can live inside and out of the water! Day of
the FW Triffids! 2/14/06
Hello, I have a 25 gallon freshwater aquarium that has been set up for about
5 months now. For 3 and a half months the tank has had only two frogs living in
it. Then just 2 days ago I was feeding them and noticed that the water seemed
pretty "cruddy" and was inspecting the tank and the frogs as they ate, when I
noticed hundreds (probably thousands) of tiny tiny tiny round "bugs", maybe
parasites floating around in the tank! They seemed like they could not swim on
their own, but moved around the tank with the filters current. When they would
touch the glass, an object or the bottom gravel- they would continue to crawl.
(though they are too small to see legs etc.) These things are smaller than the
head of a pin! The frogs had about 3 each on there backs, but seemed
fine. Panicked anyway I ran to the i-net to get some answers. To no avail- I
am still puzzled what this might be. I have had other freshwater aquariums in
the past and had some parasite clear left over and dropped
2 into the tank and let sit over night.
<Toxic to your frogs...>
It seemed to me there was no change this morning
<The crud thankfully absorbed much...>
in the amount of these things. So I decided do a complete tear down of the tank
and bleach it. I removed all but 3 inches if water and poured straight bleach
into the tank to sanitize. I let sit for 2 hours and then took everything into
the bathroom to further bleach and clean. After the clean up- to my complete
amazement quite a few of these things were actually crawling on the outside of
the glass! After using Bleach and scalding hot water! I am in complete
hysterics when it comes to anything that is or looks like it is a foreign bug or
especially a parasite. I need to know what this is...HELP! Also, can they
affect humans? Any answers would be helpful. Thank You.
<... very likely not harmful... either to your frogs (or they'd be gone) or you.
Some sort of crustacean... would go with good maintenance (regular water
changes, gravel vacuuming) and addition of other livestock. No worries. Bob
Fenner>
Tree Frog Care 1/26/06
Hi I have a tree frog, my children found him outside and I was told after
some pet store calls he is either a NYS tree frog or a frog that
escaped. Anyway we kept him and he has been doing well. Tonight I was watering
and feeding him and he has a popped blister, saggy skin thing hanging from his
neck, he also hasn't eaten and keeps opening his mouth. I don't know what to
do. I have an over head lamp so I know he didn't burn himself, anything other
than that and I'm clueless... Thanks so much for any help you can offer!
< Your frog is being kept too warm. His mouth is open trying to let the
evaporation cool him down. Sounds like a native frog. They will only eat moving
objects. Try small crickets , mealworms and earthworms.-Chuck>
Pimples on Fire Belly Newt 1/11/06
I bought a Fire Belly Newt the other day. About 2 days later, he had two
little white bumps on his back that almost look like pimples. I asked the store
workers what they thought it was; they had no idea. Do you have any idea what it
could be or if there is anything I can do to stop it?
< Newts come from areas with very clean water. Dirty water often causes
bacterial infections to their sensitive skin. Clean the filter, vacuum the
gravel and do a 50% water change. If things get worse then I might try a weak
methylene blue solution as for treating a fungus.-Chuck>
Tadpoles, Anchor Worms? - 09/16/2005
Hello. I recently acquired two new albino bullfrog tadpoles from a local
PetSmart. Having worked in a reptile store a couple years ago, I know
that PetSmart isn't exactly the place to get healthy animals, but
because I had successfully raised another bullfrog tadpole that I got
there, I thought it would be fine. Not only are these new tadpoles
sickly, lethargic, and tiny (about an inch long still, as compared to my
frog who was 3 inches or so) but they each have 3 copepods.
<Hmm....>
I am fairly sure that these are what they are, having skipped my first
class of the day (ironically, biology) to do some research. They are
about half a centimeter in length, thin, white / clearish yellow in
color. They branch at the end.
<Could be parasitic copepods called "anchor worms", Lernaea sp. Definitely
fits your description.>
At first I thought they were small limbs, but unless the tadpoles are
infected with trematodes, this wouldn't make sense. If I look really
closely, I can see that there is some sort of "pulse" inside of these
things...a very tiny one but I don't know how to describe it other than
that. In any case, my question is this: could the copepods, if that's
what they are, be parasitically harming my tadpoles?
<Yes. And once reproductive, can be of more concern from greater
numbers of them attaching....>
They have both been sluggish and very very weak-looking lately. In fact,
if I didn't think that removing the copepods would somehow harm my
tadpoles, I would perform a small operation right now. How do I get rid
of them?
<Look up some images of Lernaea/anchor worms (many available on the 'net)
to verify that's what they are, first. Then, if so, you can remove
these with forceps.>
Thank you so much for your help.
Sincerely, Marisa
<Wishing you and your frogs-to-be well, -Sabrina>
FB Toads Won't Eat 9/12/05
We have 2 fire belly toads in a aquarium with a screen top they are on a bed
of Jungle Earth with a water bowl the room is usually 78-80 with a lamp above
them .The problem is that they won't eat anything we have offered crickets
mealworms brine shrimp canned crickets They also seem to have a blackish film
growing over their face and eyes I think they can see but not positive What can
I do? Paula Holcomb
< The dust from the Jungle Earth has covered their most skin and eyes and they
probably can't see. They won't eat what they can't see. I would actually set
them up more for frogs than for toads. Use fine sand instead of the jungle
earth.-Chuck>
Clawed Frog Disease - 09/08/2005
My Frog, Bugzie, has a large bulging, swollen area under her mouth that
extends from chin to throat. This occurred 3 days ago and seems to be getting
larger and lighter in color....PLEASE HELP!
<I recommend you try reading here: http://fluffyfrog.com/FrogPondVetF.html
. Though this may just be some result of physical trauma (injury, etc.), it
could be an infection of some sort.>
Thanks. Carole
<Wishing you and Bugzie well, -Sabrina>
Melafix on Frogs 9/8/05
I actually want to compliment you guys on
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/amphibfaqs.htm
that article.
I'm glad to see that SOMEWHERE on the net someone is able to use Melafix on
frogs with success. I currently have a Whites Tree Frog that has some open
sores ( they're healing with rinsing, but I want to keep them clean) and I
was wondering , Melafix being a Natural substance , would it help me out
with the problem. I see that people have used it with success from this link,
and I really want to thank you! - Alicia
< If you use this product as a bacterial inhibiter then I think it will work OK.
If you try to use it as an antibiotic alone then I think you will be
disappointed. Good housekeeping and sanitation goes along way in curing
diseases. I think a combination of all of these is the key to a full recovery.
If the frog shows signs of distress then I would discontinue to use it.-Chuck>
My Aquababy frog just this morning developed some red, pussy globular thing
over his right eye, and it suddenly burst, leaking blood and some other fluids
into his tank, his eye looks like it is still there, but it looks like it might
also just be an open socket in his head. What may cause this and what can be
done to help him. He has been eating everyday, and I just cleaned his tank
yesterday (which I'm worried may have been the impetus behind this injury).
Thank you
< You frog probably got a cut or scratch that got infected. As the infection got
worse it grew until it ruptured through the skin around the eye. With it now
opened up you need to treat the infection with Nitrofuranace. He may lose the
eye but at least you can save the frog.-Chuck>
Amphibian and Chelonian mix 8.27.05
I keep my red ear slider in an aquarium with 3 firebelly toads, a tree frog,
and a chubby frog. I have the aquarium so one side is water and the other side
is land. I have been wondering, however, if the mix of reptile and amphibian is
safe. I do have a filter and light source and the animals usually keep away
from each other. Also, I used to have a soft-shell turtle; I had kept him with
the frogs (but at that time I had one firebelly). Sadly, he died in a weird way.
A large, black, tube like thing with feathery ends came out of his anus, and
hung out about an inch. We suspected that it had to do with the turtles eating
habits, for it ate up to six fish a day. Recently, I have been wondering if it
had to do with the frogs. I really don't want my red ear slider to die, so
please help. Also, we have been feeding the slider a more reasonable amount of
food. PLEASE HELP!!
<I am not sure what the large black feathery thing might have been, but it might
be worth contacting a reptile Veterinarian to find out. I would not recommend
keeping frogs with turtles. Turtles foul the water very quickly, frogs and
toads are very sensitive to the quality of their environment and will not
tolerate less than optimal conditions for very long. I am not sure if the frogs
and toads you are keeping are toxic to animals that ingest them but it is
definitely something you will want to look into, I am sure a turtle would sample
a frog if given the opportunity. I would definitely keep the turtle in a
separate tank. I would also get some care sheets on the different types of frogs
you are keeping to ensure that your setup is meeting their needs as well,
heating, lighting, feeding, etc. -Gage>
Chubby Frog 8.27.05
My chubby frog has been acting strange. He doesn't seem to be eating and he
doesn't move. I picked him up and he barely moved his leg. I have noticed him
breathing so he is still alive, but I am concerned. I have also noticed that he
is shedding skin. Could this have to do with it? I keep this frog with three
firebellies, a red ear slider, and a tree frog. Is this bad? Please HELP!
<In this situation I would seek the advice of a reptile/amphibian/exotic animal
veterinarian, or local reptile shop. Your local reptile shop might be the best
place to start; all of the reptile stores I used to frequent were pretty good at
diagnosing problems and always knew a good Vet to refer me to. The links below
are to care sheets for the animals that you are keeping. Best of luck, Gage
http://www.anapsid.org/bombina.html
http://www.anapsid.org/greentreefrog.html
http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
http://thelilypad.org/?q=node/view/125 >
