Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have recently purchased two painted mantellas and I love them!!! I have them in a 20 gal with plants, rocks, and driftwood therefore it is hard for me to feed them the small insects in the enclosure. I have been taking them out and putting them in a small deli cup to feed them. The first day they were fine but the last two times they were more concerned with getting out than eating, they might of just not been hungry. I am also concerned with the handling involved with having to take them out. I also don't know how often to feed, once a day? 3-4 a week? Do you suggest feeding them in a deli cup or critter cage? I also have purchased a fruit fly culture kit if anyone has any suggestions on that, thanks alot!!

Do not take them out to feed them, all that will accomplish is killing them. First off, how are the small prey items escaping the tank? Through the lid? If so, put wax paper or saran wrap over the lid and tape it on, not only will this help with keeping insects in, it will also keep the humidity up.

What are you feeding them? I feed my mantellas twice daily, with a mixture of fruitflies, termites, springtails, rice flour beetles and lesser waxworms, and occasionally field sweepings. I reccomend that you keep about 3 fruitfly cultures going at all times, once you recieve the kit you'll understand about them. Feel free to ask anymore questions if you have them.

Feed as for golden mantellas:
http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary/Maurantiaca.html
Lots of variety (as listed). I tend to feed these frogs 4-5 times a week, variety being extremely important for long term health. Quite happy to be left for up to 1-2 weeks if you go on vacation - overfeeding is more dangerous than underfeeding!
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Mike.
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http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary

One other suggestion is to place a very shallow dish or lid in the tank and place a piece of fruit on it. The flies will be attracted to the fruit and thus the frogs will have an easier time finding the flies. Just replace the fruit every day or two!
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Have a Herpy Day!