Can somebody help me out with a Pyxicephalus ID? (lots of pics)

[Joe M]

This has been sitting in the back of my head since I got these frogs. I can't help thinking that I got swindled, and got the wrong species of frog.

I bought 5 Pixie frogs specifically labeled as Pyxicephalus adspersus (the giant pixie) at the last hamburg PA reptile show. I later check the website of the vendor, and it also stated they were adspersus. I sent them an email to triple check, and they ignored me. I checked their site again a week later, and the listing was conveniently changed to "Pyxicephalus sp.", removing the specific species name. I have this strong feeling that I have Pyxicephalus edulis (dwarf pixie), and if I did, I am not going to be happy. I am growing very aggravated with the whole situation, made worse by their refusal to answer my emails.

I wanted to see what you frog people thought. If you guys, or some frog forum if nobody here knows, confirms my suspicions, there is going to be an issue when I find this vendor on Saturday in hamburg, and I'll make sure there is a nice BOI entry on faunaclassifieds for them.

Here are some pics, let me know what you think...

 

[Gene0514]

Yeah those are definitely dwarves
Sorry
definitely contact the vendor
Selling these as giants seems to have gotten very common this year

 

[paul112]

What is the price difference between the two? It's a shame they passed them off as something else, and I hope you didn't lose too much money, but they are great looking critters none the less

Best,
Paul

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I agree. Those are definitely Pyxicephalus edulis. I had the same argument with a pet store owner selling that species as "Giant Pyxie Frogs" when they're really not.

 

[Joe M]

Great. I wouldn't care as much if it said "Giant Pixie Frog", but they used the specific species name on them, then changed it when I questioned them. I still like them and I will keep them, but that really bugs me. They won't respond to me, so I'll be talking to them face to face at the next show to ask them why they are selling things under the wrong names.

I'll be looking to a giant or 2 at the show as well, so can anybody give me a hint on how to ID them? I've seen pictures but I can't figure it out. Also if you know, what should I expect to pay for true giant pixies?

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I've noticed that the smaller species is more olive/brown for a base color instead of green and usually they have yellow bellies. Their mouths aren't as wide as the true giants either.


Here's a pic of my female the day I brought her home. She was a little smaller than a 50 cent piece in this photo.

 

[Joe M]

Ok that's good to know. She does look a lot different from mine when they were that size. And I've noticed that the dwarfs tend to have a tannish/brownish stripe on their back instead of green. Does that sound accurate? Yours has the green stripes, and all of mine have tan/brown stripes.

You said the giants have more of a white belly instead of yellow as well?

I'm really kicking myself now. There was a more reputable dealer selling the true giants for a bit more $. I only knew the latin names from googling them at my hotel the night before, not any identifying characteristics, and I assumed they were the same thing since they were marked the same. I wish I just spent the extra cash and got what I wanted. I'll have to hunt down some true giants on saturday.

Lesson learned I guess. Don't take vendors words as the truth just because they are behind a table. I mean I would be fine if the vendor just apologized and admitted their mistake. But ignoring me just pissed me off. I made a mistake like that selling a tegu. I apologized for the mistake and offered a refund. The person thanked me and said they would just keep it because they liked it. I just don't understand why some people can't just be honest, or at least admit their mistakes.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

Yes, the giants (when young) seem to have more of a molted belly with orange/yellow around their armpits and a lime green dorsal stripe. All the dwarfs I've seen have more solid yellow bellies and a tan dorsal line.

 

[Joe M]

Alright I appreciate that. These were actually the first amphibians I have gotten that I didn't catch myself, so I didn't know what to look for. I'm happy that some people on here were able to help me out with this. Thanks again.

 

[Vicious_Fish]

No prob. I remember that I did see true Giant Pyxies for sale at the show where you picked these ones up at. I saw at least 2 different vendors selling them.