Our new pets: Frog-O-Sphere Ecosystem with 2 Aquatic Frogs
Until today I had no idea what was a Frog-O-Sphere Ecosystem. We went to the mall and amongst other things I really wanted to buy a pedometer and thought I would find one at Brookstone, a shop where they usually have really cool gadgets…
And here they were… these little fish tanks with cute little frogs in them: the Frog-O-Sphere Ecosystem… how on earth could we resist??
Frog-O-Sphere Ecosystem with 2 Aquatic Frogs: a self-contained, self-cleaning ecosystem with 2 mini frogs.
“The Frog-O-Sphere includes 2 African dwarf frogs, 1 snail and 1 bamboo plant. It also includes a 1-year supply of food, Living Gravel with decorative rocks, and a cleaning tool.
The frogs won’t outgrow the tank and live for up to 4 years. The snail, also known as the janitor, feeds itself and keeps the tank clean of algae and excess food. Living Gravel acts as a biological filter, converting excess food and waste into a soluble form that can be used by the bamboo plant.
Just like trees in our environment, the bamboo absorbs liquid and gaseous elements and releases oxygen, which helps the frogs and snail thrive. Easy to care for: simply feed the frogs 2 pellets each 2 times per week, and change the water 2 times per year. That’s it!”
We brought them home to realize the snail was on its back and by next morning it had not moved so we figured it was dead. A call to the shop and we had to bring back the whole tank to the shop so they could replace the dead snails… someone was not very happy about that… lol
But all is well now, we have 2 “happy” frogs and a snail…
Now the only concern we have is that we had to fill out a paper for a permit from the DEP, NJ Div. of Fish and Wildlife. We did not think about asking questions while in the shop but I had a closer look when home and it read:” This is a temporary permit valid for 20days after sale. You must apply for a regular permit before this permit expires“. So will have to figure this one out.
Please leave any ideas for names in the comments… thanks 
Is this the kind of pet you would go for? What do you think of Frog-O-Sphere Ecosystem?
FROGGY DIED! Yep, these cute little self contained frogs advertised to live up to 7 years with VERY VERY LITTLE CARE, willjust up and die after a few weeks–I’d hate to think just how many!! Write the owner/wild creatures and they just say “too bad” pretty much – and – you can buy another one! Mine came from Halmark. Others are sold under Brookshire? and theirs are even more expensive than the $29 I paid, but theirs has a SNAIL which is supposed to help the whole situation. I’d LOVE TO NOW HOW THAT’S WORKING. i say don’t buy them. Cruel? Nope, I don’t think so. Little frog, little food, little space. period. but DON’T PROMISE THEY’LL LIVE FOR HALF YOUR KIDS’ LIFE ONLY TO HAVE THEM DIE OFF FOR NO APARENT REASON IN WEEKS.
Linda
Ours did survive for a few months and the biggest one was the one that died first. And in a way I was relieved because it was a mean frog lol It used to beat the smaller one especially when I fed them. But in the end, as much as I thought it was cute, I now think it is a bit cruel to have 2 frogs in such a small thing though I guess it no different than fish.
As for the snails, it was dead so I brought it back to the shop and they us another one but it seemed to be dead after a few days.
From Peta.org:
Update: Brookstone Employees Leave Sick Animals on Store Shelves
Despite numerous complaints from horrified customers, mall-retailer Brookstone continues to sell African dwarf frogs and snails in tiny, inadequate tanks called “Frog-O-Spheres,” in which the animals languish and die slow, miserable deaths.
Recently, allegations have surfaced that Brookstone employees who see that frogs are languishing on store shelves have been instructed to put them “in the back,” out of sight of customers, instead of contacting a veterinarian to get help for sick and dying animals.
In addition, the directions included with the Frog-O-Spheres mislead shoppers about what these frogs need to survive and what an appropriate level of care is. Since Brookstone introduced these cruel products, PETA has been inundated with reports about dead and dying frogs and snails who were languishing on store shelves around the country.
Please tell Brookstone’s executives to follow the lead of major retailers, including Target and Walgreens, and immediately stop selling the cruel Frog-O-Spheres. Please also urge them to prohibit of the sale of any live animals at Brookstone stores.
I’m little bit afraid with frog, so maybe I won’t choose frog as my pet
But the frog looks cute in that picture.
.-= turisuna´s last blog ..Some facts about intimate thing, part 1 =-.
Omg, they are so tiny, you cannot be scared of them lol but yesterday I caught them fighting!!!! They were biting each other! I thought they were going to kill each other!
wow they are so cute…i didint know that little frog must have permit too. the snail is an amazing part of the tank…great! wish i have 1 here too for my daughter.