Desperately Need Albino Clawed Frog Info

[Lyra0727]

Ok so last christmas my brother and I both got a tank, his is 55 gallon mine is 60. When he got his it was already stocked with fish and had the filter running ect but now decides he wants goldfish! So he's going to eventually (when ever he has a day off) bring his fish into mine. Now I have two 6 inch senegal bichirs, so obviously some of his fish arent going to make it after the first couple nights. The bigger fish will though(they arent as bad as people say they are when hunting fish.. 3 inches and their fine). But he has an albino african clawed frog which I admit is awsome! But I have no idea how to care for it and he could be dropping them off any day!

I've tried doing research on them online but I just keep getting youtube videos of people feeding them in 10 gallon tanks with turtle pellets.. The frog will be in my 60 gallon so I dont think that will exactly work, plus I dont even know how they act!

It's about the size of my palm and I dont think blood worms will satasify it.. But I dont want it thinking my fish are food either, so what do people normally feed them?

Also what is their behavior like and is there anything I should know and prepare quickly for before he surprises me with his fish in my tank? (I have a dawrf frog in a 10 gallon which i just recently learned has been snacking on my guppy fry.. sneaky guy but thats all i know when it comes to aquatic frogs )

 

[fishnovice]

Ok so last christmas my brother and I both got a tank, his is 55 gallon mine is 60. When he got his it was already stocked with fish and had the filter running ect but now decides he wants goldfish! So he's going to eventually (when ever he has a day off) bring his fish into mine. Now I have two 6 inch senegal bichirs, so obviously some of his fish arent going to make it after the first couple nights. The bigger fish will though(they arent as bad as people say they are when hunting fish.. 3 inches and their fine). But he has an albino african clawed frog which I admit is awsome! But I have no idea how to care for it and he could be dropping them off any day!

I've tried doing research on them online but I just keep getting youtube videos of people feeding them in 10 gallon tanks with turtle pellets.. The frog will be in my 60 gallon so I dont think that will exactly work, plus I dont even know how they act!

It's about the size of my palm and I dont think blood worms will satasify it.. But I dont want it thinking my fish are food either, so what do people normally feed them?

Also what is their behavior like and is there anything I should know and prepare quickly for before he surprises me with his fish in my tank? (I have a dawrf frog in a 10 gallon which i just recently learned has been snacking on my guppy fry.. sneaky guy but thats all i know when it comes to aquatic frogs )

Try sending a message to Jenste who frequently posts in this section and is the Forum's frog expert with an awesome collection of frogs.

 

[Lyra0727]

Ok, I did thank you I'm a little freaked out.. I dont like not knowing how to care for my fish and knowing he could drop them off anyday just adds onto the stress.

 

[Jenste]

ok...wow.

First thing - the frog should NOT be housed with any fish - it will either eat them or die trying, literally - it would try to catch the fish even if it is too big and would end up choking on it...

you can easily set up its own tank with out having to go crazy - -
10 gallons is all you need to accommodate one frog


basics:
tank : 10 gallons. Filtered. Heater for winter months to make sure it doesn't drop below 60*F. Subtrate - large rocks, sand or nothing - avoid gravel! A LID!!!!! these frogs are escape artists! A screen mesh lid like one for a reptile tank is best.
diet : store bought earthworms (never ones you catch in the garden/driveway! there is now way of knowing if they have been exposed to fertilizers or pesticides), Reptomin sticks (turtle sticks), frozen bloodworms (thawed first!).
decor : live or silk plants - no plastic plants because it will tear the webbing between their toes. Hiding places - use caves / driftwood to make "shadowed" hiding areas. make sure the decor is secure and can't be kicked to topple on top of the frog.
tank mates : for a 10 gallon - none. No fish, no shrimp, no snails.


that is the very basic - - click the link "ACF vs ADF" in my signature to head to my page which will go more in depth for you. you can always posts more questions here, I will be happy to help!

 

[Lyra0727]

Ok, looks like I'll be going to the store this weekend! Although very glad to hear he will eat earthworms. I have a special tank outside to keep store bought ones alive to last me a long time. But do I need to cut them up or will he eat it whole?

My house keeps tanks around 78 degrees, 74-75 without lights on. Will that be a good temp for him? Also how much bigger will he get? Last time I've seen him was last christmas so he could be much bigger for all I know.

 

[Jenste]

that is a bit high for temp - best if under 75. In summer months you can try keeping the tank on the floor of a kitchen or bathroom (cooler areas) or basement.

Any chance of a picture? That way I can tell you what gender. Try to get a shot from above.
The frog is full grown if you have had it for a year+ now.

and you should add Reptomin to the diet to keep it balanced.

 

[Lyra0727]

No, sadly I dont have a picture yet. He hasent brought it over yet (thankfully because I'm not even prepared!) It must be a really calm frog though.. because he got the frog with that tank and the other fish off craiglist and it's still alive! Or maybe just luck..

If I put it on the floor cats will get to him, or well.. will be trying to get to him. But I have a low table to keep him on next to my bed. Are there mesh lids specifically made to go around filters? The 10 gallon I have has the filter that hangs off the edge.

I'll be sure to get Reptomin while I'm out this weekend too.

 

[Jenste]

for the mesh tops you would have to have an internal canister like an Elite stingray or a Cascade.

Or use a regular "fish tank" top and really go over it to block all and any openings.

And it was most likely just plain dumb luck for your brother lol.

I am really eager to see the frog and your new set up

 

[Lyra0727]

It's not going to be cheap.. but I'm excited to see how this will turn out as well My brother told me that he was giving me all his fish and the frog last saturday night, and I think saturdays are the only days he has off.. or was it firday.. I cant remember lol.

I do remember though that the only time the frog tried to eat a fish was when they had to drain the tank half way to move it to his house. The fish died and the frog survived after they pulled the fish out of his mouth. But since then, the frog never touched any of his fish. Oh well.. at least ill be careing for him now I saw your post about breeding them.. It made me want to try so bad but I dont have the space for it.

A question about the plants. I'm a little cheap and have alwyas gotten my plants from the dollar tree (all are for a dollar each) and I was wondering they arent silk or cloth like they but they arent sharp either.. like long grass like. Would that be safe?

 

[Jenste]

silk is always best or do what I have done for all of my tanks.

buy one piece of water wisteria, trim it a little and leave the trimmings and the main plant floating in the tank. IT GROWS LIKE CRAZY! I have it in my 72, 30, and all of my 10 gallons for my frogs. It will grow to cover the surface and the frogs love it. It also helps with water quality You can buy one plant for 2-3 dollars and it will quickly grow and grow and grow!

 

[Lyra0727]

I'll check and see if my lfs has that. The only live plants I've seen there was hornwort and that didnt exactly go well for me. But i'll give anything a try if I can get it.

 

[Jenste]

do you live in the US? If so I can send you some.

 

[Lyra0727]

Yes, I live in Florida actually. But shipping cost so much, I cant afford it.. (yet have to wait till summer to get a job) I should be making my brother pay for everything but he'll just tell me to put it in my 60 gallon because the frog was supposidly fine in his.

He makes me want to slap him sometimes.. but thats what happens when you have a brother 13 years older than you lol.

 

[Jenste]

lol just tell him to do some research like you have!

And for the plant it would be just standard posting in an envelop lol, its shipping the actual frogs that is costly!

But not only to save a few fish being lost, but for the health and wellbeing of the frog - it's own tank is definitely needed.

 

[Lyra0727]

Oh, thats perfect then!

As for my brother he's hardheaded.. He probably did do the research and thought "well he's doing fine now why move him"

I'm kinda hoping he wont bring the frog for another couple days.. only because if I can wait 3 more days and finish treating my guppies for columnaris I can switch them into the extra tank I have next to my bed then do a deep cleaning on that tank and set it up for the frog.

But I probably wouldnt be able to get sand until next month. Well.. unless I get play sand but then I couldnt be able to see the frog due to blending in. Talk about no fun lol. The frog would be ok until I could get some right?

Also the when I would feed the frog a earthworm is that cut up or whole? Or should I get the small ones?