My Picks: Best Tadpole Foods for Various Species - What are Your Thoughts?

findi

Arachnodemon
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
698
Hi All,
Breeding frogs and rearing tadpoles is one of the most enjoyable aspects of our hobby, and becoming ever more important to the survival of many species. In the course of working with numerous species at home and in zoos, I’ve compiled a list of commercial foods that have proven especially useful as tadpole foods. The variety of new food items that have appeared and the many frog species that have been recently bred by hobbyists have convinced me that it’s time to reach out see what new “wonder products” or ideas folks have tried. I have, therefore, highlighted some of the foods I’ve come to rely on, and would greatly appreciate hearing of your experiences with them and others. Thank you.
The Amazing Specialists
While the tadpoles of many commonly bred frogs (i.e. White’s Treefrog, Litoria caerulea) are omnivorous and take a variety of foods, others are specialists and will not survive unless their exacting requirements are met. The tadpoles of African Clawed Frogs, Xenopus laevis and Malayan Leaf Frogs, Megophrys nasuta, for example, are filter feeders, while those of the African Bullfrog, Pyxicephalus adspersus, are as carnivorous as their pugnacious parents. Poison Frog tadpoles of several species feed upon unfertilized eggs deposited by their mother, Goliath Frog, Conraua goliath, tadpoles consume a single species of algae, Fringe-Limbed Treefrog (Ecnomiohyla rabborum) tadpoles eat their father’s skin, Brown Leaping Frog (Indirana semipalmata) tadpoles gnaw on wood (high up in trees!) …the list is fascinating. Please post below if you would like information on these or other species.
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Thanks, Frank
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Tarantula155

Arachnobaron
Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
494
I raised woodhouse toad tadpoles. I fed them boiled spinach, lettuce, protein fish flakes, and brine shrimp. They raised up to be marvelous chubby amphibians :laugh:
 

findi

Arachnodemon
Old Timer
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
698
I raised woodhouse toad tadpoles. I fed them boiled spinach, lettuce, protein fish flakes, and brine shrimp. They raised up to be marvelous chubby amphibians :laugh:
Thanks for the note...good to know about the spinach; we avoid feeding it to tortoises, lizards due to suspected problems (Calcium binding, etc); no research done with tadpoles... nice to know that your tads did well on it. Best, Frank
 
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