How to Raise Tadpoles


Water
Tadpoles need water that is free of chemicals.  Don't use water straight from the tap - the chemicals in it will kill your tadpoles.  Fill a plastic bucket with tap water and place in the sun for at least 3 days before you use it for your tadpoles.  This allows the chemicals in the tap water to escape.  If you have a rainwater tank this water should be OK.  I use rainwater or water taken from my pond to use in the bowl I keep inside.  You can also use a water conditioner bought from an aquarium shop. 
 
If you have an established pond shouldn't need to add food, as there will be enough algae for your tadpoles to feed on.  For a new pond, let it settle for a week before you add your tadpoles.  A pond which has reeds and water plants growing in it will keep fresh and clear without needing a filter system.

Large tadpoles will survive in a pond with goldfish but these fish will eat the spawn and the very young tadpoles.  If you have goldfish, raise your tadpoles in a small tank or bowl until they are big enough not to become fish food.  I have some native pigmy perch in my pond to control the mosquitoes. Pigmy perch don't eat the spawn or small tadpoles.  Gambusia are not recommended, as they are an introduced pest.  They keep breeding and will over-populate your pond, eating all available food and any frog spawn.
 

Container
Rinse out your bowl or fish tank.  Don't use any detergent.  You can place clean gravel or aquarium stones and 1 or 2 large rocks in the bowl or fish tank.  Pour in your bucket of water and carefully add your tadpoles.

Can you spot the hundreds of tiny tadpoles?
Feeding
I feed my tadpoles frozen washed green lettuce leaves.  Add more leaves as needed - usually once a day.  Freezing helps to break down the leaves so that the tadpoles can eat them.

You can boil the lettuce leaves for 5 - 10 minutes but I find it quicker and easier to freeze a lot of lettuce leaves in a plastic bag and use them as I need.  An outdoor pond should grow enough algae for the tadpoles to eat.  If the pond is new, feed them frozen washed lettuce leaves until the algae builds up.

Keeping the Bowl Clean
When the water becomes murky take out half and refill with fresh water free of chemicals.  Remove any old lettuce pieces.  As the tadpoles grow larger you may need to clean out the whole bowl or tank.  I use a small clean container to transfer the tadpoles to a bucket of fresh water then wash out the bowl and refill.  A small soft net can also be used to transfer the tadpoles.  Take care not to injure them.  Always use water free of chemicals.

Care
Once the tadpoles start getting their legs they will need to be able to rest on a rock close to the surface so that they can breath air.  When they have all four legs and the tail is starting to get shorter they may start to climb out of your container.  It's time to find a place outside for them to live.


Always wet your hands before handling frogs and wash them afterwards.

If you can't keep your new frogs in your own backyard please don't release your frogs into lake or river areas.  Although I have not had any unexplained frog deaths, there is a virus around that does kill frogs.  Scientists recommend that any frogs raised at home should not be transferred to lakes or river systems.  If you don't have a pond in your garden, give them to a neighbour with a pond.  This should stop further spreading of this disease in the wild.

Have fun and enjoy raising your tadpoles to become frogs.

Web Links
Alcoa Frog Watch - Western Australian Museum
Tadpoles for beginners - Queensland
In the Water - Frogs - ABC
Scribbly Gum - Tadpoles on the Hop
New South Wales Wildlife Licence - Frogs