Hello and Help needed for an African Clawed Albino Frog

[lauren9299]

Hi Everyone,

My husband and I purchased a 10 gallon aquarium kit at the pet store on Friday along with a Jumbo Platty and an Aftican Clawed Albino Frog (the frog only had one-eye but the pet store said that can happen and he was healthy). We followed the set up directions and the directions from the pet store step-by-step. On Sunday we noticed that the water was a little cloudy (not green) and that neither the frog or fish were eating very much. I called the Pet Store on Sunday and went in yesterday and both times they said that is normal, the tank should clear up in a day or so and the frog and fish would start eating soon as well.

Unfortunately I woke up this morning to find my frog had passed. I would love to get another one but I don't want to take the chance of this happening again....any idea what I did wrong??

[John]

There are so many variables that I hesitate to try to guess. For future reference, aquariums need to be set up weeks in advance of when you populate them with animals. It sounds to me like you might have been short on research before you bought the aquarium and animals. I would advise you to get a good beginners book on aquarium fish - that will tell you how to go about setting up an aquarium. If you want to keep amphibians, keep in mind that we always tell people never to keep frogs with fish. That alone could have been the problem.

[tgampper]

Hi Everyone,

My husband and I purchased a 10 gallon aquarium kit at the pet store on Friday along with a Jumbo Platty and an Aftican Clawed Albino Frog (the frog only had one-eye but the pet store said that can happen and he was healthy). We followed the set up directions and the directions from the pet store step-by-step. On Sunday we noticed that the water was a little cloudy (not green) and that neither the frog or fish were eating very much. I called the Pet Store on Sunday and went in yesterday and both times they said that is normal, the tank should clear up in a day or so and the frog and fish would start eating soon as well.

Unfortunately I woke up this morning to find my frog had passed. I would love to get another one but I don't want to take the chance of this happening again....any idea what I did wrong??

Sorry to hear about your frog

Despite what the pet shop said, cloudy water is not normal. I keep several clawed frogs, both albino and "wild-type". A ten gallon tank should be fine for 2 albinos. I always condition my water using a product called Stress-Coat (available at pet stores). I use a syringe to measure - 10 ml for 10 gallons.

Temperature and water quality is critical, these frogs stress out and even die when the temperature exceeds 86(F). Optimum temperature is between 69 and 72(F). Keep the frogs by themselves and not with other animals. Don't use a high output filtration system, these frogs have a lateral line system, similar to fish, that is sensitive to water movement. Use a bio-sponge filter or make water changes weekly. Water must be clean and conditioned. When replacing water, make sure the temperature of the new water is no more than 8 degrees higher or lower than the tank water. My frogs are kept at room temperature, no water heater.

A healthy frog is a good eater and will take a variety of foods, including pelleted food, like Tetra's Repto-Min. I understand that bloodworms may cause excessive bloating.

When purchasing a frog, make sure it is healthy and free of diseases or injury. Observe the tank conditions, make sure the water is clear and the habitat looks clean. Make sure that the pet shop staff is knowledgeable, quiz them. If you have any doubts, go somewhere else. These frogs are hardy and live 12+ years.

Personally, I love these frogs. They are easy to care for and fun to watch. You will soon appreciate that clawed frogs are very unique. Join us on the Aquatic Frog forum, you will meet other fans of these frogs and don't forget to ask questions