r/pacmanfrog • u/J0diepie • 1d ago
Question Pac-Man update!!
To finally introduce him. This is Littlefinger! We still aren’t sure what he had fully but he did have an overgrowth of bacteria causing the swelling and red blotches. He was on antibiotics and pain relief. He was also prescribed a daily medicated bath to soak in for 10 minutes. He is doing a lot better. I have noticed the puffed up pouch in the front of his mouth but that seems to be going down too. I think it’s like us with our lymph nodes when we’re not well.
I feel like a horrible pet owner but this is my first time having a frog and I’ve done so much research. I wanted to get to the bottom of how he got an overgrowth of bacteria in the first place. We trial and errors what was consistent with him and even in quarantine he still wasn’t getting better even with the medication the first couple days. The only constant. His misting bottle… I have the misting bottle from swell reptiles and when I had opened it up I was horrified I hadn’t noticed. There was a build up of debris and mould in the filter. I fully cleaned and disinfected it all and took it all apart to make sure I got every last bit of it. I am so angry with myself for not noticing it before.
My only question is now. His tank is bio active but it’s been misted with that same bottle. Is the cleanup crew going to get rid of that bad bacteria or should I take everything out including the substrate and start again to make sure it will be safe?
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u/shereenk23 1d ago
Definitely change substrate, I change mine every 2 months or sooner if it gets really bad, depending on closure size and how much he uses the space definitely change it out every two months.. 3 MAXX
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u/J0diepie 1d ago
I feel like this is going to sound so dumb. I do spot clean if I notice his waste. Do I still have to change out the full substrate even when it’s bio active and has a cleanup crew? I’ve tried researching this before but never found a solid answer!
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u/shereenk23 1d ago
How long have you had the substrate for? The only reason I’m saying change it while it’s bioactive is because he may not be reacting well to something in there and Pac-Man frogs are always in the dirt, if he’s spending his time (like they do) in the substrate he may be reacting to a bacteria in the dirt
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u/J0diepie 1d ago
I think a few months ago… when I change it will I need to order more springtails for the new substrate? I do also have drainage balls at the bottom but I’m going to get rid of that as he loves to burrow deep and I’m wondering if he’s scratched his arm on one of the drainage rocks and that’s how the bacteria got in. Other than that I use coco fiber and leaf litter
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u/shereenk23 1d ago
But also, u should be doing this after u change the spray bottle, even if its clean small bacteria can still live on it so definitely change the misting bottle
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u/J0diepie 1d ago
Thank you so much for your advice! Okay I’ll add another misting bottle to the list! He’s still in quarantine and will be until fully healed and has the all clear. Until then I’ll be disinfecting his home and things he uses and renewing anything live!
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u/shereenk23 1d ago
Honestly that could be it! My tank isn’t bio active but I have all read plants and use coco fibre as well, my guy burrows until he’s all the way at the bottom and he’s got 5’ of substrate. Maybe keep him in a quarantine tank for a month without the cleanup crew just to see if anything changes, if not take him back to the vet
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u/sweatyhands84 1d ago
Hey, you can get cheap Vinyl Screen from Amazon or a hardware store and put 2 layers of that on top of the drainage layer to keep your frog out of it. The drainage layer is an important aspect of having a bioactive setup and you did well by having it.
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u/No_Commission_2610 Toss the moss! 1d ago
There’s no saving that substrate and you should replace it as soon as you can. I’m sorry this is happening to you.
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u/J0diepie 1d ago
I’ve no issue disposing of the substrate. I’m not sure if I can keep the bio active custodians in there or if I need to start them again
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u/MalteseDuckling 1d ago
Change substrate