Tadpoles

[Jaybee]

There is frogspawn in our pond and the kids want to grow some at home and watch them grow, we have a spare fish tank so that would not be a problem - I know that they need to live in pond water not tap water but that is about it. Has anyone grown them before - what do I need to feed them with? How often do I need to clean them out?

[janh]

Jaybee, we raised frogs several times using a baby bath - fish tank's better though as you can see in the sides. Put pond water in it, not too deep, and some rocks for them to climb out onto when they get legs.
We always kept it outside, in the shade, with some kind of wire cover over it, but indoors you needn't do that.
Do fish out the froggies to go back in the pond as they lose their tails or the remaining tadpoles will eat them!

[janh]

Forgot to say, we never fed them at all. I think they must eat each other! (You always end up with a lot less taddies than spawn, and even less frogs than taddies.) Or else there is enough life in the pond water, or things fell in because it was outside.

[robinw]

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[Jaybee]

Thanks for the responses - fished out a lump of spawn and only the next day they started to come out as tadpoles - thought they were dead at first but seem to come to life after a couple of days - seemed to have loads so returned several to the pond. Someone I know recommended putting in boiled lettuce and that does seem to be keeping them happy - they are much bigger than those in the pond. May try the banana skin. Anyone know how long they take to change?