Breeding frogs in a koi pond

Treacles · #1 (**permalink**) 22-03-2011, 07:33 AM

Hi. I noticed this morning that we have two pairs of breeding frogs in our koi pond. In order to prevent the heron from eating our koi the pond has no shelf around the outer edge and is a 1 metre straight drop from the edge. Will the frogs have trouble getting out and what should I do?

nightshade · #2 (**permalink**) 22-03-2011, 07:53 AM

Easiest is to float a square of wood say 10"x10"x1" (untreated) like a piece of builders plank, for them to climb out onto. An alternative is to net them out and give them their own pond, in a big bowl filled from the koi pond

dampflippers · #3 (**permalink**) 22-03-2011, 05:21 PM

If you don't give them a raft or take them out yourself they will eventually drown.
I would also expect the koi to eat the spawn and then any tadpoles which hatch.

Kayleigh · #4 (**permalink**) 22-03-2011, 06:28 PM

As others have said you need to get them out or provide a ladder if you get some chicken wire and secure it so they have something to climb up.

Cowgirl · #5 (**permalink**) 22-03-2011, 06:49 PM

Yup, & if the koi don't get them the filter & pump will.

Humph, Nothing's interested in my purpose built wildlife pond, nooo they've got to go for the predatory fish filled, deadly pump & filter ride pond!

Note to self: Must try & remember to turn mine off for the breeding season. Only got a few males lurking at the mo, maybe the females will arrive this week as we are forecast warmer weather.

Dogghound · #6 (**permalink**) 22-03-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

Humph, Nothing's interested in my purpose built wildlife pond, nooo they've got to go for the predatory fish filled, deadly pump & filter ride pond!

Note to self: Must try & remember to turn mine off for the breeding season. Only got a few males lurking at the mo, maybe the females will arrive this week as we are forecast warmer weather.

Are these frogs or toads? toads will select ponds with fish in them over ones without them.

Cowgirl · #7 (**permalink**) 22-03-2011, 07:04 PM

Really!? Gosh i didn't know that, that seems a bit death wishish. I definitely have toads as they produce strings & I have seen lots of that in previous years. I haven't seen frog spawn so far but I wonder if the fish may have eaten it, but this year I think I've seen frogs as their backs don't look warty, although I haven't definitively heard frog sounds only the higher pitched toads (listened on a website!). Sorry, I'm a rubbish identifier.

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 22-03-2011, 07:12 PM

Its the opposite really, toad tadpoles are toxic and distasteful to fish so are left alone. Fish help keep invertebrate predator numbers down within the pond reducing the threat to toad tadpoles. Additionally often fish ponds are naturally full of algae which offers more food for young tadpoles. Plus reduces competition with other amphibians which dont like to breed in the same pond as fish.

Cowgirl · #9 (**permalink**) 22-03-2011, 09:29 PM

Very interesting Dogghound, thanks for that. It does make sense when it's put like that.

Treacles · #10 (**permalink**) 23-03-2011, 07:36 AM

Wow -thanks so much for all of this information. I took four pairs out yesterday and moved them to the still water part of the "stream", and three pairs and two single large (I guess females?) this morning. There was another pair in the front garden and so word must have got around! Thanks so much for all of your help.