New Pacman Need Diet Input

[mrbonzai211]

I just got a juvie pacman frog that's roughly 3 inches or more. It's too big for crickets and is the right size for mice (hoppers and such). I'm okay feeding it vertebrates if I have to, but I would prefer not to. It will get a varied diet because it's asinine not to, but would night crawlers work for the main part of a pacman frogs diet? I've seen people feed them to their frogs but I never knew if it's just a treat or if it can be used as the main part of their diet.

 

[mrbonzai211]

Also need to know how often to feed this guy.... forgot to mention that.

 

[RoachGirlRen]

Rodent proteins should be fed no more than monthly if you want a healthy, long lived frog. Nightcrawlers are acceptable as a primary part of the diet, but there's really no such thing as "too small" for crickets - you may simply have to feed more. Roaches also make an excellent staple, and other invertebrates (superworms, hornworms, caterpillars etc.) are a good way to offer variety. Obviously livebearers can be fed periodically as well (DO NOT feed goldfish or rosy reds), as can frogs or anoles IF you can find a good CB, parasite-free source. Verts are not necessary for health, however.

ETA: How often depends on the quantity and type of prey fed. You can feed smaller meals daily, larger meals every few days, etc. Generally only young frogs need daily feedings; one your size would probably be fine on every other day, or depending on meal size less. Don't forget supplementation, as well

 

[Pacmaster]

I think small hopper mice are one of the best foods for that size frog . . .
As a "whole prey item", it provides all essential, digestable vitamins and minerals as needed.(as compared to the varying amounts of dust a crix can hold . . .)

I do feed my frogs other things like roaches and worms(especially froglets to juvies) and various other feedres I come across, but the bones in the hopper-mice are very important for strenthening and maintaining the frogs heavy skeleton.

Generally, I feed babies and juvies as much as they will eat at one time, every day to every other day.
Only the frog will know when it wants to eat.
Adults I offer a full-adult mouse 1x a week, with various other treats in between.

Dont be surprised when the frog goes off feed for a day to a month to 6 months, they do that especially getting into the 3" size you have there . . .
It is also common for them to bury down completely for a few days after a big meal.

PS- Temps play an important part of "how much to feed", as frogs kept at the low end of the acceptable range will feed much less than frogs kept warmer . . .
So in reality, higher temps and regular soakings(for poopin, youll see!) and you can really pump some food thru them.
But then you get into the whole "dusting/calcium" issue, and need to dust accordingly so the frogs body doesnt outgrow its frame.
Dusting is pretty much a major factor in growth as these frogs have heavy bones and grow fast.
I switch between herptivite w/D3 and w/o D3.


BTW- Lets see a pic . . .