Frustrated :(

[marisa]

Well I woke up this morning to find Stewie, our Pac Man dead.

I am really upset by this. Not so much because this specific frog died, but because this is the second time this has happened. Our first pac man was almost four years ago. He died a month after we got him. I figured it was my fault and decided to wait on other frogs until I had done more research and had a few more years with other reptiles.

So in January we picked up Stewie.

His water is always clean and fresh, as well as being cholrine free...he has clean deep moist susbtrate (eco earth) which I spot clean, and fully changed out each month since we got him. He had been eating well on gut loaded crickets.....I mean everything was perfect accourding to caresheets, books and others advice.

Why can I not keep a Pac Man alive? It's frustrating me and sad twice now.

Marisa

[lostwithin]

What kind of water were you using ??
Devon

[Jeff_Favelle]

Ah man, that sucks Marisa. I'm not sure on the longevity of Ceratophrys (sp??) but it can't be more than 7 or so years is it? Maybe they don't like that eco-earth stuff? Maybe it changes the pH drastically. Their skin is permeable so it could affect them.

I don't know, wish I could help.

[Double J]

Eco-earth stuff is fine.... that has nothing to do with it. pH stays in a decent range with coco-fiber... it is probably the best substrate out their for amphibians period... and t makes a great base for vivairum planting mixes.
Many of those little cb Ceratohphrys seem to have a lot of congenital defects.... I have seen oodles of spinal deformities etc etc There are a small number of breeders of Ceratophrys....... and they tend to sell to wholesalers in wholesale lots because they produce so many offspring at a gven time. With that many tads to deal with.. I imagine the breeders cut more than a few corners in terms of the type and amount of food offered, and they amount of space they get etc etc. Often when tads are improperly raised..... they can often grow into froglets but die after a few months for one reason or another as a result of poor tad care. This has been the case with the Phyllomedusa bicolors that have been coming into the US.... as importers bring in eggs and tads.... and they are not being raised up of fed proplerly. And of course.... that is why over 90 percent of them are dying. As for the bicolor being frogs that are "easy to kill".. I would have to wholeheartedly disagree... as a friend of mine has some... and they are about as hearty as Phyllomedusine frogs come.... though they do need their space.
Another possibility is that of a heat spike. These frogs do not deal well with temps over the mid 80s for very long... high temps can kill frogs very quickly....especially young frogs. And often...... the heat can damage a frog.. though the animal may not show signs for days or weeks... but inevitably dies.
My guess Marisa...... you haven't done anything wrong.... you have probably just been unlucky. It's disheartening.... but don;t give up. You seem to have been doing things right... but why not try your hand at another species. Bombina orientalis is a good one...... and they are a good trainer frog if you would eventually like to get into Dendrobatids.
Good luck Marisa.....
Keep on frogging

[lostwithin]

IF your going too go with another frog species I put my vote on getting a White’s, aussi if you can find one, They are great. And there quick color changes make it very easy too tell as soon as something bothering them,
Devon

[marisa]

Thanks everyone. I just get mad because its like why cannot I not keep a PAC MAN alive!?!?!?

I am really only interested in Pac Man frogs, and a couple various tree frogs. What I think we have decided on doing is waiting awhile to get another, and then finding one with some good size to it already instead of buying such small specimens.

Marisa

[the_frog_man]

hey i know its late but sorry about your pac man ive got four right now. I dont trust pets stores like super pet and pj's unless its from a friend of mine that works there. If you want to you can email me with the details of what you want and i will get u a big discount at my friends store , i mite sell you one of mine or i can just give you advise if you have any questions on health, tank size, substrate ect... here is my email if you take my offer the_frog_kid@hotmail.com

[creepiecrawlie]

I heard when they eat they sometimes get sediment in their mouth and get infections, or just die.

[marisa]

Thanks for your replies everyone! I have now recieved a new, older and larger Pac Man who is super, and I am sure we will do just fine together.

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=46854

Marisa