The bacteria that causes the type of ailment your frog experienced is almost impossible to eliminate, as it is present in most environments. But by doing partial water changes, keeping ammonia in check and filtering well, you can keep the frog’s immune system in good shape, so that it can fight off common microbes. No need to drop and clean the aquarium unless there is a health problem.

Experience in caring for tropical fish is very useful in keeping aquatic frogs. A basic aquarium care book, especially the water quality sections, might prove useful to you.

However, as mentioned earlier, wild caught Surinam toads will always harbor parasites as well, and these may cause problems in captivity regardless of how clean the tank is kept. In zoos, we usually run fecal tests on all wild-caught animals, and medicate them for various parasites. If you d not have access to an experienced amphibian veterinarian, I would not suggest that you buy Surinam toads, unless you can locate a source of captive born young (very rare). African clawed frogs and dwarf African clawed frogs are far better choices, as far as aquatic frogs go.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Yes, drain and clean as described earlier….the fungi/bacteria are microscopic so appearance is not a good guide as to cleanliness.

Best to re-locate the plants and snails if possible, some species survive, others do not.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

No trouble at all…yes, you can add the Methylene Blue to the tank as per dosage on bottle, then allow to sit (run filter) for 2-3 days. Then empty and clean as mentioned last time. Be careful – MB stains skin and clothes, plastice.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Yes, the fungus and bacteria are in the tank and filter. Please see my last post for information concerning disinfection.

As mentioned, I would not recommend getting another Surinam toad as it will likely have been collected along with the one that just expired and may become ill as well. Wild caught Surinam toads are very delicate; fecal samples should be analyzed by a veterinarian to determine what parasites are present.

If, as is likely, a skin infection takes hold, you would also need to bring the animal to a veterinarian. Home treatment is not nearly as effective; catching the condition earlier would not make a great deal of difference in this case. There are a number of other issues involving water quality which would need to be addressed as well. Wild caught or sensitive amphibians really should not be kept if access to an experienced veterinarian is not available.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Sorry if my earlier note was unclear…use at the dosage recommended for fish. You can keep the frog in Methylene Blue for 2-3 days (it will stain the frog’s skin), or longer if you see no improvement. After 4 days, do at least a ½ water change and add a methylene blue as recommended on the bottle to the newly added water. Again, in a well-advanced case of Septicemia-like infections, treatment with or without veterinary intervention is difficult.

Usually, we start with ½ the fish dose when medicating amphibians, but best to go full strength in your case; I’ve used Methylene Blue full strength in emergency situations as well.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.