How to Take Care of Bullfrog Tadpoles

Tadpoles are a popular pet for children. They are easily found around the shores of creeks, ponds, lakes and rivers. Children often catch the tadpoles and take them home to raise. Unless you are prepared to take care of the tadpoles, they will most likely never make the metamorphosis from tadpole to bullfrog. Knowing how to care for your newly found tadpoles can help ensure that they survive and that the experience is fun and educational.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 20 gallon aquarium
• Bio Filter
• Clean, de-chlorinated water
• Tadpoles
• Iceberg lettuce
• Bloodworms
• Crickets
• Meal worms
• Container
• Fish net
• Pot
• Water
• Knife
• Cookie sheet
• Zip top bag

Caring for Your Tadpoles

1. Set up a 20 gallon aquarium in a location that is ¼ lighted and ¾ shaded. Attach a bio-filter to the tank to filter the water.

2. Fill the aquarium within 1 to 2 inches from the top with clean, de-chlorinated water. You can use non-polluted pond water where you find your tadpoles or you can put tap water in a container and keep it in the sun for a week. The other option is to use straight tap water and de-chlorinate it with drops you can purchase at your local pet store. Allow the water to sit overnight before adding the tadpoles.

3. Add your bullfrog tadpoles to your prepared aquarium. For best results, raise groups of 2 to 4 tadpoles at a time.

4. Feed your tadpoles a pinch of prepared lettuce. One pinch every 2 to 3 days is sufficient. Continue to feed lettuce (see below) until the tadpoles become larger. Then change to bloodworms, which can be purchased at your local pet store, and finally crickets and meal worms once they are full grown. Bullfrogs are full grown when they no longer have a tail and they measure between 3.5 and 6 inches in length.

5. Change the water every week, making sure to use de-chlorinated water each time. When changing the water, take a little of the water from the tank and place it in a separate container. Use a fish net to move the tadpoles to your separate container and move them back once the water change is complete.

Lettuce Preparation

1. Place leaves of iceberg lettuce into a large pot of boiling water and allow the leaves to boil for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Remove the leaves from the water and use a knife to chop the leaves into small pieces.

3. Place the chopped pieces onto a cookie sheet and place them in the freezer.

4. Place the frozen pieces in a zip top bag and place the entire bag into the freezer until ready to use.

Tips & Warnings

• Once your bullfrogs are full grown, either release them into the wild or else change the tank to a half water half land tank. If you choose to keep the bullfrogs, the water should be not fully cover them.

References

• All About Frogs: How to Raise Tadpoles
• Central Pets: Bullfrogs