African Drawf Frog being picked on...

[Amy72]

Hello, I'm new here...had a question about something...

We have a 12 gallon tank with 8 Tiger Barbs, 3 Painted Tetras, and two African Drawf Frogs.

Lately, a few of the Barbs have been picking on the smaller of the frogs. I've noticed today that there is a white spot on it's head where it looks like maybe they've been eating at him.

I know the Barbs are a bit aggressive, but why are they doing this? Is it because they're trying to feed off of the frog (they always seem like pigs and are always hungry) or is it because the frog is sick?

I'm wondering if I go ahead and set up another small tank and transfer the frogs, if the one will heal and be ok. We've had the frogs from the beginning (when we started almost 2 years ago) and we really don't want to loose them. My husband threatened to flush the Barbs if they don't stop.

Oh, and they don't bother the other frog, only the smaller one.

HELP!

Edit: to say.....we don't have a test kit, so I have no idea what the ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, PH, temp', Hardness is. As for his symptoms, well..he always wants to stay at the top of the tank and float, I assume to keep from being picked on. We use to do water changes (clean tank) once a month, but now with more fish in there, it's becoming about once a week. Only treatment we do to water is water conditioning drops. As for new fish, the newest are the Barbs and they've been in for about two weeks now (going on three) Hope that helps out more.

 

[smb]

I wouldn't put ADF's with tiger barbs. Barbs can be way too nippy for them as ADF's are generally too complacent for tiger barbs.

Since you have another tank I would put the ADF's in there and keep an eye on the hurt one as you might have to medicate if it's too bad.

 

[Amy72]

thanx for the reply smb.....do you have any idea what type of medication we would have to use?

 

[smb]

Your welcome.

As far as what medication to use, I'm not really sure. I've never had to med any ADF's I've had so I never really researched it. I would wait for others to reply on what med could be used safely before I tell you to go get Melafix or the like and be wrong. I know it should be anti-bacterial in nature, tho.

I would think as long as you kept the water very clean that unless it's real nasty that it will heal on it's own.

 

[Amy72]

The frog has passed on...he is no longer with us...he has ceased to be...

*sigh*

We went ahead and set up the 5 gallon eclipse tank and transfered the other frog over and added a Betta.

Guess we're going to keep the 12 gallon as an agressive tank. I'd like to add a Red Tail Shark in to keep the algea in check (not to mention that I want one anyway )

R.I.P little drawf frog

 

[smb]

Holy crap that was quick!

He must have been pretty bad off then. Worse than I thought, at least.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I can understand you wanting a red tail black shark. They are one of my favorite fish and I have a 29g set up now with just him in it all by his lonesome. (and this is from a longtime agressive cichlid lover and I don't get into community fish that much)

Still deciding what else I want to add to the tank.

 

[Inchworm]

So sorry to hear about your poor frog.

I have 2 of them and after keeping them with other fish for awhile and with the larger African Clawed Frogs, I've moved them back into a one gallon jar that I got from the lady at the deli. I think mayonnaise or something was in it originally. It's perfect for the 2 of them. I only have to clean it out (total empty and wash) once every 2 weeks or so. I keep the lid just open a crack for air to get in.

They are safe and happy in there.

I hope you can find a new friend for the other one.

 

[Amy72]

Holy crap that was quick!

He must have been pretty bad off then. Worse than I thought, at least.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I can understand you wanting a red tail black shark. They are one of my favorite fish and I have a 29g set up now with just him in it all by his lonesome. (and this is from a longtime agressive cichlid lover and I don't get into community fish that much)

Still deciding what else I want to add to the tank.

Yeah, I think he was ready to die. We just had a Black Molly that passed on the other day. The Barbs were doing the same thing...picking on her. Hopefully everything will be fine in the 12 gallon now.

As for adding a Red Tail, I'm just hoping it will be ok in the 12 gallon. I know they can get a bit big, so I'm not quite sure about adding that or not. But we do need something that'll eat the algae. If we don't get the Red Tail, we'll end up getting a Corydora Catfish. I've read that they don't get too big.

 

[Amy72]

So sorry to hear about your poor frog.

I have 2 of them and after keeping them with other fish for awhile and with the larger African Clawed Frogs, I've moved them back into a one gallon jar that I got from the lady at the deli. I think mayonnaise or something was in it originally. It's perfect for the 2 of them. I only have to clean it out (total empty and wash) once every 2 weeks or so. I keep the lid just open a crack for air to get in.

They are safe and happy in there.

I hope you can find a new friend for the other one.

They are my favs. They're just so cute (well...the one we have left) We will be adding another little buddy for the one remaining

The Betta is hysterical. He keeps seeing his reflection and is trying to fight himself! He did finally start to swim around again and doesn't seem to obsessed with himself now (until he swims by the back of the tank..hehhe)

Thanx for the reply

 

[Jaws]

I keep the lid just open a crack for air to get in.

hey inchworm, if you arent too trusting of leaving it open a crack, you could always get some pliers and hold a nail over a flame to get it hot enough to puncture through the lid (assuming your mayonnaise jar lids come in plastic like mine) and make a few holes. if its metal i spose you could just bang a few in there

edit- dont forget parental supervision! safety first

 

[Inchworm]

Good Point, Jaws.

The lids are metal so I guess I'll have to do the nail thing. I really should do that especially since I have a cat who is always bumping into things.