Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What's the BEST substrate for pixies?
Is a 55 gallon big enough for an adult male?
How many watts of fluorescent?
What type of heat source should i use? the blue day heat bulb?
What types of plants should i use?

also, can ya'll post pics of your african bull's enclosures

What's the BEST substrate for pixies?
Is a 55 gallon big enough for an adult male?
How many watts of fluorescent?
What type of heat source should i use? the blue day heat bulb?
What types of plants should i use?

1) Bed a beast is great.
2)Yep. Just about anything over 50 gallons works perfectly.
3)It is up to you. Supplemental lighting is not even needed, though it will allow for live plant growth
4)A regular incandescent bulb will work. Ceramic heat bulbs work well as they can be used 24hrs without upsetting the frog's day/night cycle
4)Pothos works very well. They are pretty hardy and grow well. Make sure the plants are left out of the tank for about a month and are potted in organic soil with NO fertilizers. Clean off the roots and allow the plants to sit under a window for about a month.

Good luck.Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

thanks

I used paper towels as it's easier to clean..
Length wise 55 is fine but height isn't needed..
No UVB light is needed. Heat pad or regular light bulb is fine..
Plants will be destroyed but if you want then you will need UVB to keep them going..
Remember when the defecate it's alot and messy. The more plants and substrate in the cage the harder it is as you will have to clean the whole cage..
Have fun Pixies are great frogs..

I don't agree with using paper towels, unless it's for a very young frog. These frogs burrow in the ground and stay there for potentially YEARS during the dry season, in the wild. They need something to burrow in. I also don't agree with using a heat pad, since they burrow to get away from the heat, most likely. I DO agree with using NO plants, as they will be destroyed very quickly unless you keep them potted. No light necessary, although some type of flourescent will show the colors of your frog (when it's actually above the ground and not covered in dirt). Keep a large water dish in the cage as well. Mine uses it to defecate in ,making cleaning the cage a LOT easier...

>>I used paper towels as it's easier to clean..
>>Length wise 55 is fine but height isn't needed..
>>No UVB light is needed. Heat pad or regular light bulb is fine..
>>Plants will be destroyed but if you want then you will need UVB to keep them going..
>>Remember when the defecate it's alot and messy. The more plants and substrate in the cage the harder it is as you will have to clean the whole cage..
>>Have fun Pixies are great frogs..

I agree with most parts. Using papertowels with young frogs and sick frogs where ingestion or the risk of disease/infection is greater is common sense, but in larger frogs they do appreciate 4 or so inches or bed a beast in which to burrow. As for plants, I just repot pothos after I get it home from the store and bury the pot in the tank. Occasionally the frog will tear off a leaf or stem, but for the most part they remain healthy and intact. Pothos are so hardy though that it could does not matter, and it does make the terrarium look a bit nicer. Also helps the humidity. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

I don't have an african pixie, but I do have an american bullfrog. Still the care is the same. You can make your own enclosures, or even get a translucent plastic container that is 100 gallons. You can special order it if your local store does not have it. Purchase a firm top made of heavy chicken wire if you want to use the plastic container. I don't use plants for my bullfrog--he will kick them and tear them anyway. Lighting is NOT necessary for any frog, but supplement occasionally with calcium powder with D3 sprinkled on the crickets. Use BED-A-BEAST. Nothing beats it.

For water, I simply use a large shallow bowel and change it *daily*. Bullfrogs have large bowel movements. So this is best. And yes my bullfrog makes plenty of croaking sounds during spring and summer, and regularly soaks. So it is a happy frog. Yes, it would be preferble to have a pool, but not necessary.

JadeFox