whites tree frog wont eat

Question
Hi,
A little less than two weeks ago i brought a whites tree frog from a guy advertising it in the paper. He'd had the frog for 6 months and seemed to have a genuine reason for letting him go.This is my first frog and other than what I've read I've had little other experience. Well other than a couple of meal worms,(literally),  he's eaten pretty much nothing since i got him. There were crickets in the tank uneaten when i picked him up so I'm wondering how long he's been this way. I've tried different sized crickets, waxworms, mealworms, he's just not interested. The tank is clean, the temperatures fine, the humidity fine, but still nothing. I'm really worried I may lose him if he doesn't eat. I tracked down the shop where he came from originally, they seemed to think he's just settling in. I don't know how I can make it easier for him though. And now in the past few days he's acting strange, quieter. at first he was very curious and lively, now when he sees me he seems to get almost irritated, sort of stamps and splashes around in his water, keeps opening his mouth, without any sound. I'm sure its not normal, though i don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'd really hate to think I'm distressing him in any way. I would be grateful for any advice.

Answer
Hi Dyl, The fearful hyperactivity and open mouth behaviour are fairly uncharacteristic of White's if they are more then just occasional. The reduced appetite certainly could be from the change of environment as well as the change of season. Their feeding can slow down in the cooler months (I'm assuming you are in the northern hemisphere). If your frog is awake and soaking during the daylight hours that is a red flag that something is wrong. White's are quite strongly nocturnal and normally only soak in their water and become active after dark. The "waking up" process in treefrogs is often accompanyed by a series of open mouth yawns. I assume that it is done to quickly take in oxygen and notice that several of my different species do this upon waking. They will also reportedly do this in preparation to shed their old skin. Those would be the only two normal situations that I am aware of that cause open mouth behaviour in tree frogs. I have on occasion startled my White's after dark when they have been soaking by turning on the light or moving the tank lid suddenly. This would sometimes cause a brief flurry of fearful motion.
This poor little guy has been moved around quite a bit recently. From the wholesaler to the shop to the first owner and then to you in just over six months. He could simply be very stressed. Provide him with several hide spots on the ground (White's often hide on the ground, that is quite normal) and don't handle him until he settles down. The fact that he is eating somewhat is a good sign and about 8 to 10 crickets a week is sufficient to maintain him.