Baby Frogs / Toads.

[Dogghound]

The tadpoles are distastful too, GCN lova. Toads often breed in ponds which contain fish as the tadpoles are not predated. However fish feed heavily on invertebrate predators which do feed on toad tadpoles. So the toads are presented with an area to grow with reduced predation levels. Also if you watch toad tadpoles you will see them freely swimming (pelagic) around the pond in open water due to fish avoiding them, they also tend to swim in shoals which offers further protection. However frog tadpoles are eaten by fish and are therefore benthic, staying close to the bottom and close to cover. When they do venture out they are very exposed and are quickly picked off by fish (if present).

[GCN lova]

??????????
i meant that GCNs must be busy eating the toad tadpoles. GCNs are the only newts in britain that can eat toad tadpoles.

[Mark_b]

Just double checked in Beebee and Griffiths New Naturalist - GCN do feed on toad tadpoles! Perhaps because GCN have toxic skin them elves they can cope with the bufo toxin or some how use it in their own defence?

[jaelen]

Wow!! That is a LOT of froglets!
Mine seem to have all left now, (the tadpoles) and I've only got about 30 or so toadpoles still swimming about.