Betta Fish Forum banner

African Dwarf Frog

4K views 42 replies 4 participants last post by  hannguyen 
#1 ·
Hello everyone,

I just bought an AFD as a tank mate for my betta. He seems to have problem swimming up to the surface. And when he does, he was really quick and he went right back down the bottom then he tries to go up again. I felt really bad. Is it sometimes wrong w him? How height should the water be?

Also, he seems a little whiter than other ones, is it normal?



Photograph Facial expression Poster Photo caption People
 
See less See more
2
#2 ·
Paleness can be a sign of illness, a sign of stress, or a precursor to shedding their skin.

I'm not sure beyond injury why he's having trouble reaching the surface, but something floating on top of the water will definitely help.

Make sure you find a way to put a guard over the intake slots on your filter, I've lost a newt to tiny hands or feet getting sucked in, and they're not strong enough to pull them out and they drown, same with bettas.
 
#9 ·
try scooting that plant back just a smidge. It looks like he's trying to ride the corner up (mine does that), and he's getting stuck on the plant.

They have very poor eyesight, and they like to hide. So I'd also suggest some more hiding places. He doesn't seem freaked out by the betta as much as freaked out about being out in the open.

Aside from that, he looks like a healthy and normal ADF to me. Just get him some extra plants, maybe some floaty stuff (your gorgeous betta would appreciate that too, trust me), and they should be happy.
 
#10 ·
What kind of floaty stuff should I get?

He seems remarkably calm in the small bowl and as soon as I put him in, he started freaking out again :(

My betta doesn't really care that he is in there. At first he flared then ran away but now he just doesn't pay attention to the frog.

I have 2 caves and the plant pot so I hope that would help him a little bit.

Does the water seem too high?
 
#11 ·
I use craft mesh hammocks for mine, pieces of plastic plants, floating plants like riccia.

It could honestly be the filter current, when I upgraded Pancake's filter, he spazzed for a few days.

As for water level, that's actually fine 18" is about the deepest you want it to be, but they come from rivers. Normally, that would mean that they shouldn't have a problem with a current, but petstores tend to keep them in slow moving tanks, so he'll really need to adjust.

Caves don't always help. Mine likes to hang out in the plants. he has a cave under the driftwood, but he's usually pretending to be seaweed.




they don't have to be expensive plants either, just something he could wrap his legs into like that last photo, and just one of those would most likely make a difference. They're a prey animal in their native environment, and you have to think like a prey animal to make him comfortable.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Mine is just darker. Yours could also be close to shedding or stressed, since he wasn't acting sick at all in the video.

he's actually using his cave at the moment, but his behind is sticking out. Their instinct is to kind of wedge themselves in where they can, is there anywhere that yours can do this?
 
#15 ·
Poor Biscuit (squee name!!)! At this point, plants are the only thing I can really suggest to help, and Biscuit will like them too (my bettas stalk me from their plants). Replacing him won't do any good, because any other frog will act the same way in your tank without plants to anchor and hide in.
 
#16 ·
Yeah my boyfriend was surprised because he thought they are supposed to be shy and inactive hahaha. I will get him some plants tomorrow. I just don't have a lot of space in my tank. Biscuit really doesn't care about the frog that much hahaha but the frog has been jumping around for this past 20 minutes lol... I thought he would get tired..
 
#17 · (Edited)
they're very shy and inactive, unless they're panicking like yours is. Most of the day, I don't see much of Pancake, unless he's hungry. He's usually holed up, or wrapped in a plant.

Even my big frogs need that little bit of security. I'm not 100% sure on why that is, but since I promised to take care of them and meet their weird needs, then I just do whatever makes them feel comfortable.

PS
I'm not trying to make you feel bad at all, I'm just pointing out that this behavior indicates stress. It's important to know what to look for, so we can meet their needs as they arise!
 
#19 ·
Petstore conditions usually downplay an animal's natural behaviors. The conditions are generally so wrong, that they're almost lethargic. Pancake didn't even fight the net when I got him, but he was emaciated, and the water was really gross. As soon as I got him home, he was a different frog, he was looking for food.
 
#25 ·
I sprinkle it all over the place, then as Pancake stalks around the floor with his rump in the air, he'll find them, or leftover fish food, which he also eats.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top