[Uncle Sal]

Here's the story. I recently completed a rack for my frogs that I thought would better help me keep track of my frog’s behavior. Before this rack I had tanks scattered all over (in my room, basement, etc.)

Anyway, I have had this trio of vents since the fall (making them a little over 6 months old); they have been kept inside those plastic boxes with the colored tops. The boxes had close to 100% humidity, golden pothos, and sphagnum moss bottom with oak leaves. I fed them very often and they seemed to be very active.

Now since I finished the rack with 4 vertical 10 gallon tanks, I figured I would reserve one of the tanks for the vents, so I put them in. After being in there for 5 days I went to go feed them and noticed one of them slouched over a branch flattened. After taking him out I scanned the rest of the tank and found another inside of a deli cup dead. This one was the biggest frog of the three. The third vent was just hanging out on top of a piece of driftwood. I’m looking at the third now and it looks to be healthy and plump.

I have read on Saurian.net about the sudden movement of thumbs can cause stress that can ultimately kill them. I'm thinking this may have been the cause.

When I first put them in the new tank they mostly stood on the ground in the leaf litter. Where in the critter keeper they always stood at the top of the pothos.

Could the third frog have pounced on the other two frogs?
This really sucks... I will post pictures of the scene of the crime tomorrow.
Any input on the situation would be appreciated.
Regards
Sal

P.S Hopefully someone will read this post and prevent something like this from happening to them.

 

[kleinhanz]

You indicated it was a new tank, was there any silicon smell or something similar from setting up the tank that caused their demise?

 

[Uncle Sal]

The tanks were given around 2 weeks to dry. Here are some pics

Suspect:

rack: Vent tank is third one on the top shelf.

Vent tank:

Maybe there's not enough cover for them. Im adding another pothos in the rear.

Also thanks to Peace of the tropics and big Marty for the plants and misting nozzles. The plants are perfect and the nozzles work great. I'm looking foward to purchasing more from you guys.

 

[EDs Fly Meat]

Hmmmm

What is his alibi? Looks mighty suspicious to me. I think your tank is fine, I have not had problems with my thumbs fighting, but there are other people on the board who can better comment on your suspicion of murder. I would be more concerned about it if you have a female in the tank or a pair of breeding vents in another nearby tank. Stress may be the answer.
Dave

 

[Dunner97074]

CSI-Vivarium coming this spring. It was an ordinary vivarium, everyone got along, and then the peace was shattered. This seemingly peaceful vivarium was now the scene of a double murder. Tune in this spring to find the answers to this shocking murder mystery.

:twisted:

 

[joshua_delancey69]

LMFAO :lol:

 

[StevenBonheim]

The tank doesnt seem to have many hidding places, which would make them feel a little more safe in a new home...but that would have effected them in the first few days, not day five. Does the tank have any odors from silicone ect.? Looks like enough ventilation to avoid gas build up. How about the water in the misting system? Were they the only frogs who were in contact with the misting system? Do you have pics of the dead frogs? Had you noticed wrestling when they were in the shoe box?
I say put him under a spotlight and get some answers from him. If he resists, try the treatment.

 

[Jordan B]

Dust for fingerprints, then check the sheets with a U.V. light :twisted: !
But seriously, bad water maybe?

 

[Mantellaprince20]

That really sucks. I have a hard time seeing a vent killing another one though. I could see them wrestling, and see the loser run off and hide for ever until he dies. But can a vent really kill another vent? They are so tiny to begin with, I am surprised they can kill the fruit flies I feed them. I have 3 living in a little tupperware thing and 2 in another, and they never fight from what I see. That is tight space to, but they are still only like 3 months old, maybe 4. If you are into interrogation though, good luck getting him to talk. I have a suspect m. aurantiaca and he has been holding out on me for months for a similar crime.

Ed Parker

 

[Uncle Sal]

The tap water I use is filtered, with this contraption I used for my saltwater tanks. But I have been using it with all of my frogs for the last couple of years.

Sorry I dont have any pictures of the dead frogs. But the smallest had his arms and legs stretched out.

I really never noticed them wrestling in the shoebox, but they were very young. During the move they were reaching maturity.

Thanks for all the responses so far.
Sal

 

[Jace King]

a double homocide sounds unrealistic to me. It has to be some stress, bad water,harmful bacteria, too hot, too cold, to dry, lack of nutrients.
If would to be something that overtook two frogs but either the remaining frog did not come into contact with or he withstood and recovered. Maybe it was heat stress and he found the one nice spot in the viv. Maybe some water went bad and he didnt come into to close contact with. Maybe the moving stress took all but the strongest frog. A double murder beef doesnt seem possible in vents to me. I have only one vent pair so i never seen the fighting though.

 

[EverettC]

He looks thin, did you run fecals for worms or parasites? Sometimes the parasite can eat so much food that the host intakes, it can ultimately kill it.