First Post! And Need help D:

[MrFishhead]

My first post, I'm 'cited Anyway, my brother came home today with 6 tadpoles from the pet store he works at, because they can't sell them due to them not being in the system. I don't know what kind they are, I am assuming bullfrogs, and need advice on how to take care of them. D: In with the tadpoles also came a crayfish. Is it ok to keep in there? I put them in a spare 10 gallon I have and am waiting to see what I should do. Any help and advice would greatly be appreciated. I will try posting a picture of them, so if it doesn't work, please bear with me. :dizzy:

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Looks like bullfrog tadpoles to me. You can buy food specifically for tadpoles at the pet store or even Wal-mart. If you can't find the tadpole food then regular fish food will work. They also should be just fine in the tank they are in. Just remember to do about a 10% water change once a week. On a side note, these guys can take up to 2 years to morph and judging from the looks of yours they still have quite a ways to go.

The crawfish needs to be seperated, it will eat on the tadpoles.

 

[Coastal Groovin]

Remember if you live on the West coast or in Southwestern United States do not release them when they morph. They are not native to that area and have done horrific damage to the ecosystems there. They have wiped out entire native frog populations in some areas. They also prey on native salamanders, snakes, turtles and hummingbirds. Not to mention one day they will turn the table on the crayfish and eat him instead. Good luck with them they still are very imprerssive animals when grown.

 

[Nathan]

They are definitely bullfrogs. The discrete black "freckles" are distinctive.

I would expand Bill's warning to say: don't release them at all! Ranavirus and Bd are very nasty amphibian diseases which have been spread by release of captive amphibians. If you decide you don't want tadpoles or metamorphs, give them away or euthanize them.

Tadpoles in the wild mostly feed on algae and biofilm (the layer of bacteria that grows on organic matter). Some, including bullfrogs, will also eat animal matter such as dead or weak tadpoles and fish. They do well in captivity on sinking algae wafers or boiled greens. They will also eat meatier fish foods, but these should not be the staple of the diet.

An alternative way to feed the tads is to set up an "algae farm" by putting a tank with some stones in it in a sunny window or under a bright light. Add a starter innoculation of algae and some miracle-gro or old tank water and soon you will have algae-covered stones. Rotate green stones to the tadpole tank and clean ones back to the farm.

Keep up with water changes. Keep at room temp, more or less, and be sure to have some surface agitation from a filter or air stone. Bullfrog tads are less sensitive to temperature and DO than newts are, but they can still die if the water gets hot or oxygen depleted.

Plan on upgrading your tank eventually. These guys may reach 6" or more before they metamorphose. Adults will need even more room, lots of cover, and a secure lid; bullfrogs kept in bare tanks are liable to try to jump through the glass, and they are strong enough to seriously injure themselves or even break the glass.

Metamorphs and adults do well on live inverts; earthworms and gut-loaded roaches, grasshoppers, or crickets are probably the best staples. Mealworms, waxworms, phoenix worms, horn worms, spiders, moths, etc. are good treats. Some people feed their frogs fish and mice, but this is probably not terribly good for the frogs.

 

[Jennewt]

I agree with the other advice given, especially the advice about never releasing them outdoors anywhere. I would say that 6 tadpoles this size are already a bit much for a 10gallon tank. You'll need to be very careful about water quality. With the gravel in there, uneaten food could cause a water quality disaster if you aren't careful.

One of them already has back legs, so they could be morphing fairly soon. Good luck!

 

[MrFishhead]

Thanks for the information! I definitely will not be releasing them after reading this, JEEZE!:uhoh: As far as surface agitation, I have a hang on filter that I would like to use but am worried that the carbon will harm them. Is there reason to be worried?

 

[Nathan]

No, the carbon will not harm them. It will harm your wallet if you keep replacing it, though. I just use and re-use a piece of filter foam instead of buying new carbon cartridges.