Identifying spawn

[Elean0r]

We've got lots of frog spawn in our pond, but also stray eggs floating near the surface. We think it's probably frog spawn that's got separated from the main mass of eggs but aren't entirely sure, so could somebody help out by answering some probably fairly silly questions. I've tried looking in the Gallery but it keeps crashing.

Does all 'spawn' look the same - a spherical jelly-like egg with a black dot in the middle - but just deposited in different ways, in different places?

If toad or newt spawn gets separated from the plants on which it's laid what are the chances of its' survival?

If we pull out blanketweed what are the chances of also pulling out spawn?

We have a large pond with three fish, there were more but they were eaten by a heron and we don't plan to replace them. They're still very sluggish because the water is so cold, not coming anywhere near the surface. It's unlikely they're responsible for breaking up any of the spawn because it's all been laid close to the surface and tucked behind planting baskets.

There are newts in the pond - we saw a couple swimming around yesterday.

[Naturenutz]

Hi Eleonor,I have 2 goldfish in my pond in a shaded area.Ive already caught the fish in amongst the spawn.They really do not mix.Ive had no tadpoles survive the last 2 years and im sure its the fish.The spawn is usually attached in large clumps.sometimes you do find smaller clumps but ive never seen individual spawn,unless it has been tampered with.Frogs and toads have the same black emryo in the centre.Newts lay eggs on underwater plant leaves and often fold the leaf over the egg which is stuck on the leaf.I think newt eggs are white and individually laid.I would say if you have individual floating spawn ,it is frogs spawn that has been disturbed and probably your fish are culprits,but not definate.Im not really sure its a good idea to remove blanket weed as i think the tadpoles feed on it when they have eaten all the jelly.it also helps them hide from fish.I guess the real answer is choose fish or frogs .I wont be replacing my fish when they go.Had 4 last year but only 2 seen this year . I had 4 dragonfly hatch out last year.wonderful sight.

[Elean0r]

Thanks. I know goldfish and wildlife aren't meant to go together but fish and frogs seem to manage some sort of balance in local 'wild' ponds. But if these remaining three get caught by the heron they won't be replaced.

The pond is quite large, 4m x 3m and almost all the spawn we can see is around the edges, in amongst and behind planting baskets at the edges.

I wondered if the frogs themselves had managed to break it up, or if maybe it was birds bathing, because the braver ones use the baskets as platforms.

I had 4 dragonfly hatch out last year.wonderful sight.

Oooh, wonderful. I'm hoping we'll see some this year. I'm not sure how long it takes dragonfly larvae to mature though, our pond was only put in last year.

[Naturenutz]

eleonor i am afraid you may have to wait another year or two for dragonfly.i hope i am wrong but i believe they have a long larve stage.2 or 3 years minimum i think.But you should see them,and you may even see the females dipping their tail end in the water dropping eggs.

[diggleken]

Toad spawn is in strings,whilst frogs are in clumps, which can (not easily, probs for predators) become separated.
Cheers
Ken

[Elean0r]

@ Naturenutz
Yes, I thought they took more than a year, so we'll have to make do with all the lovely Damselflies again, which we won't mind at all.

Originally Posted by diggleken

Toad spawn is in strings,whilst frogs are in clumps, which can (not easily, probs for predators) become separated.

Any idea if the spawn is still viable if it gets separated?

[diggleken]

yes, its fine, its only really together for predator protection, each can survive alone if not eaten first.
Cheers
Ken

[dampflippers]

I'm not if anyone has already said:
Yes, you can move toad spawn and frogspawn without damaging it, although you shouldn't disturb it when they are emerging from the eggs.
Toad spawn is in strings with black dots, frogspawn is in clumps with black dots.

Newts lay their eggs singly folded in leaves to hide them. If you unfold the leaf to check whether it is great crested newt egg (larger, cream or pale green) or smooth or palmate (smaller and grey) you will probably have damaged it. But still return it to the pond just in case.

Do you know what sort of newts you have? Go out at night (looking where you are going to make sure you don't tread on any) with a torch and see if you can see any.

You should be ok pulling out blanket weed- you can put any spawn back that you pull out. You won't be able to tell if there are any newt eggs in it, but this early in the year they may not have started laying yet.

[Pogo]

I've had big clumps and then later much smaller amounts appear, I have wondered if the frogs spawn, leave the pond, then realise they can manage a few more and return to the pond.

[dampflippers]

When spawn is first laid it is very small and compact. It swells in the water, so you may just have seen newly laid spawn.
I haven't heard about females laying a second bacth- I don't think they do. But maybe young females lay less that older bigger ones.