Tadpoleses (growth rate)

Digifrog · #1 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 01:48 PM

Hiello Wabbers

I seperated 1 clump of frog spawn from my pond about 2-3 weeks ago into a largish plant pot and they all seem to be doing OK. Eating the algae and chasing one another for fun. My concern is I dont want them to start eating one another. I gathered that it takes about 12 weeks fpr a newly hatched tadpole to become a juvenile frog, but at what point do tadpoles become meat eaters? I guess now they are 2-3 weeks old (as are the ones in my pond). Would I be right in thinking that at about week 7-8 they need that protein rush? Incidentally, to the plant pot tadpoles today I added a small squirt of TetraFauna Bloodworm supplement (in a nutritious vitamin rich jelly), just in case they fancy a bit of meat. Tho I might have added it a bit early (?). Any help/info will be appreciated. Thank you.

Scotty

thunder · #2 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 04:46 PM

It's a bit difficult to give a precise time in terms of number of weeks, because rate of development varies so much with temperature and water quality. Try putting a small bit of meat in the water, and if the taddies swarm round it, they are ready for it. If they ignore it, fish it out (to stop it rotting) and try a fresh piece in a couple of days.

thunder

Krewella · #3 (**permalink**) 12-04-2007, 08:25 PM

Someone told me they change what they eat when they develop back legs. Have no idea if thats right because this is my first batch.

Digifrog · #4 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 11:52 AM

Thank you. I've gathered it might be a good idea then, at the right stage to add a little chicken? I mean a piece of cooked chicken as opposed to a piece of raw chicken? I'm unsure about putting any ammount of raw meat in the water.

brainfarmer · #5 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 03:28 PM

the development of tadpoles depends on many factors warmth and food availability being probably the two top ones. its important to remember however that 'nature' tends to always hold an ace so from within the same mass of spawn some tadpoles will develop more quickly than others and if the meat diet isnt available the more developed will happily eat their brethren. in an average year and in a decent sized pond i would hazard a guess that any supplimentary feeding isnt needed but i'd like to hear an amphibiabian experts view on this.