Keeping tadpoles and then releasing them in the wild will allow you to witness the amazing transformation of a living creature, as well as increase the population of frogs that feed on mosquitoes, flies and other nuisance pests. To keep tadpoles healthy and transforming properly, proper preparation and knowledge are required.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Making a Tadpole Cage
Step 1. Prepare a suitable container as a cage for your tadpoles
Tadpoles can be kept in various containers, but it is better to keep tadpoles in the open so that mosquitoes will lay their larvae to be eaten by the tadpoles. Nature provides your tadpoles with a cleaner, oxygenated atmosphere. However, make sure the tadpole is not exposed to the sun all the time. Suitable containers for keeping tadpoles are:
- Big tank
- Big bowl
- Small pool outside the house
- Tong
Step 2. Place a suitable base in the container
Use gravel to cover the bottom of the container. Add a boulder or two to shelter the tadpoles and land for when the tadpoles change.
- Take a small piece of grass that still has roots and put it in the water so the tadpoles can hold on to it. In addition, tadpoles eat grass roots.
- Make sure that “NO” there are pesticides on the plants placed in the tadpole container. The pesticide will kill the tadpole in no time.
Step 3. Shade as much as of the area of the tadpole container if placed outdoors
Tadpoles should be given access to sunlight whenever they want.
Step 4. Keep 5-10 tadpoles for every liter of water
You can raise more, but the tadpoles are likely to die quickly or become meat eaters.
Part 2 of 4: Water Quality
Step 1. Keep the water clean
Tadpoles need clean, non-chlorinated water. Bottled mineral water is suitable, but if you use tap water, leave the water in the container for 24 hours. Rainwater is one of the best options because it contains mosquito larvae and the water does not contain any chemicals.
- There are some suggestions for using the water from which you picked up the tadpoles.
- Do not use tap water. The water contains too many chemicals that are harmful to tadpoles. If you are using tap water, leave it in the container for 24 hours to remove the chlorine.
Step 2. Change the water regularly
Just replace half of the water in the container to keep the pH of the water balanced. A tool called a turkey baster is suitable because the container can be cleaned while the tadpole is not disturbed. However, this is optional because not everyone has this tool.
Part 3 of 4: Feeding the Tadpoles
Step 1. Boil the romaine lettuce for 10-15 minutes
Boil until the leaves are soft and slippery. Drain and cut into small pieces. Give a pinch per day.
- Other types of lettuce can also be used. However, only provide soft leaves. In addition, all pieces must be small enough to fit into the tadpole's mouth.
- Tadpoles can also be fed fish pellets, but only a small pinch as this is not the best choice. Two tadpoles per week should suffice, depending on the number of tadpoles being kept. Don't overfeed. Tadpoles will die from eating too much.
Part 4 of 4: Tadpole Development
Step 1. Be patient
Usually, the eggs will develop into tadpoles in 6-12 weeks. Don't panic if the weather gets cold. In winter the tadpoles will grow more slowly. The ideal temperature for tadpoles is 20-25 degrees Celsius.
Step 2. Prepare for metamorphosis
When the tadpole's legs have grown, they need soil as a means of crawling. Otherwise, they will drown.
Step 3. Do not feed the tadpole when its hands have grown
At this time the tadpole will eat its tail and grow into an adult frog.
Step 4. Give more food after metamorphosis
If you don't want to let the frogs go, you'll need a larger cage.
Step 5. Know that many frogs don't like to be touched
Cages or containers should be cleaned regularly, so that bacteria that can kill frogs don't breed in them.
Tips
- Chop lettuce and freeze then add a pinch for food.
- Dead tadpoles are gray (if the live tadpole's color is black), like zombies. Dead tadpoles will float in the water so they are easy to pick up.
- Sometimes tadpoles can be found in deep puddles.
- If you have African clawed tadpoles or dwarf frogs, land areas will not be necessary as these frogs live entirely in water.
- When frogs have teeth, they can eat aquatic herbs such as basil.
- Tadpoles can eat water insects, pond grass, some types of flowers (Bleeding Heart), flies, mosquitoes, worms, and larvae.
- If you keep tadpoles and frogs, DO NOT put them in the same container. If frogs feel too hungry, they will eat tadpole eggs or red pole.
Warning
- Don't feed too much. Later the water will become cloudy and suffocate the baby tadpoles. Dirty water is also likely to cause water infections.
- Tadpoles should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Indirect sunlight may be given, as long as it is not too hot. Always provide shade in container.
- Take care not to expose the water to sunscreen, soap, lotion, and other similar substances as they will kill the tadpoles. Either way, don't let the pesticide get into the water in the tadpole's container.
- If you keep frogs outdoors, you're more likely to become a regular member of the frog-loving community. Make sure they are native to your area.
- Check relevant laws and regulations before catching wild tadpoles or releasing frogs, especially if you are using over-the-counter fish flakes. Tadpoles kept in tanks have adapted to other environments that have different diseases and are at risk of damaging local ecosystems.
- If you are in an area that has a problem with disease-transmitting mosquitoes, make sure your outdoor tadpole cage is not a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
