Frogs or Toads?

[alfiebutler]

I have a small koi pond with a water pump sitting on the bottom. Underneath it I have found six big frogs (or toads) living there all squashed up together. How can I tell what they are and should they be there at all? Will they harm my fish? Will they cause a problem? I would be grateful of any help please.:

[naturelover]

hi alfiebutler first welcome to the site,as for your frogs no they will not harm your fish,they are sitting on the bottom nexed to your pump for warmth,you say are they frogs or toads,frogs come in many coloures from green brown to orange and they are smooth to the touch,toads are rather lumpy and bumpy and bigger than a frog,i would say they are frogs so dont worry just let them keep warm by your pump,then in the warmer weather you will possably get some frogs spawn and lots of taddies lucky you,enjoy the site.

[galanthus]

hello and welcome to WAB The frogs or toads shouldn't harm your fish, if anything, the fish will scoff any offspring the frogs or toads try to produce.

If you click on the Gallery section and do individual searches for frog and toad, you should have a range of pretty decent pics which should enable you to identify which you've got. As a general guide, frogs are usually quite smooth skinned whereas toads have bumpy skin.

Either way I'd leave them snuggled beneath the pond.

[galanthus]

Doh, posted same time as you naturelover great minds eh ?

[naturelover]

not to worry just proves we are connected ha ha.

[Dogghound]

Unlikely to harm you fish toads can get rough when breeding in large numbers. HOWEVER i seriously doubt yours are toads, toads rarely hibernate in ponds, mainly under leaves, in logs, under stones etc, they spend much of their lives away from water unless breeding. Frogs more commonly hibernate underwater and spend more time there. I agree with the reasons they are in the pond for abit of warmth and shelter. Shouldnt be a problem best left alone.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Unlikely to harm you fish toads can get rough when breeding in large numbers. HOWEVER i seriously doubt yours are toads, toads rarely hibernate in ponds, mainly under leaves, in logs, under stones etc, they spend much of their lives away from water unless breeding. Frogs more commonly hibernate underwater and spend more time there. I agree with the reasons they are in the pond for abit of warmth and shelter. Shouldnt be a problem best left alone.

Toads in my pond spend most of the day there in summer and leave the water in the evenings.

[galanthus]

nature is never consistent, except when my camera comes out then guaranteed rain Apparently although most male frogs hibernate underwater, female and young frogs usually hibernate on land, whereas some toads can hibernate underwater while most prefer leaf litter, rocks etc. fickle lot

[alfiebutler]

Thanks for the replies. Seems more likely they are frogs.

[coasty]

Typical froggy behaviour toads usually hibernate on land