Why is my African Dwarf Frog always skinny despite regular feeding?

Have the skinny one examined by a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles/amphibians. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. Although this is a docile species, monitor for bullying or aggression in case the larger one is not allowing its cagemate to eat.

Confirm proper environmental parameters. Frogs are very sensitive to changes in water chemistry and water temperature. Offer food every other day. ADFs are small and don't need to eat much. Feed as much as he will eat in 5-10 minutes. You can offer frog pellets, frozen or live brine shrimp or frozen bloodworms. Frozen beef heart can be used as an occasional treat. Remove any uneaten food promptly to prevent fouling the water.

Check the water quality and temperature. Frogs are very sensitive to poor water quality. Low temps can affect appetite and activity. You may need to perform a water change and increase filtration. Discoloration may be due to poor water quality or infection. If the water changes do not help, consider an exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles and amphibians.

Clean and sanitize the tank. Replace ALL the substrate with fresh organic topsoil or coco fiber. Do not use vermiculite or perlite. Avoid gravel, sand or wood chips. Ideal temperature ranges between 68F and 78F with the cooler end reserved for nighttime. Mist the cage several times weekly to maintain humidity. Provide a water bowl and clean it daily. Soak him in a tepid (75F) 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This will provide warmth and hydration. A cold frog will not eat. Afterwards, offer live food. Something with a lot of movement like nightcrawlers or mealworms. If he still doesn't eat, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles and amphibians.

Thanks for reaching out. Frogs, as amphibians, don't have a swim bladder like fish do. They can accumulate air in their abdominal cavity due to infections and can perform aerophagia (swallowing/gulping) of air that can rest in the stomach, thereby changing buoyancy. Some frogs can over-inflate their lungs, due to disease and have difficulty expelling air. Check water quality first for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Correct any concerns. The only way to determine air in the stomach, lungs or abdominal cavity is probably through a radiograph. Antibiotics could help several of these conditions but a veterinarian visit is needed. Good luck.

Make sure any prey is appropriately sized, no bigger than the space between his eyes. They should be gut loaded for at least 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Consider adding LaFeber’s Emeraid for Carnivores, Oxbow’s Carnivore Critical Care or Fluker's Repti-Boost to get weight on him. Submit a stool sample to your herp veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites. If there are cryptosporidium in his stool, they may be responsible for his condition.

Submit a stool sample to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites. Offer fresh crested gecko diet daily. Repashy or Pangea are brands I recommend. You can also offer appropriately sized prey (crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, etc). Be sure to gut load them for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Confirm proper environmental parameters. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in reptiles.