I just added about 40 tadpoles to my pond yesterday and now I don't see any of them. I have a shallow area in my pond, kind of like a rock beach that most of the fish can't reach. It is full of plants and blanket algae for hiding. Is it normal for the tadpoles to hide out under the rocks or did they become an expensive fish snack? I moved some plants to see if I can at least catch a peak of one and couldn't spot anything.
I swear I saw two tadpoles last night in the waterfall pool but they moved so quick and hid I can't be sure. If that is the case then that means they went through the skimmer, then the pump and two filters. I hate to think of all my tadpoles getting chopped up by my submersible pump:(
Tadpole question
Poor babies!!! I hope you find them!! I would think they'd be shy. Instinctive for survival!
If I have tadpoles which I don't this year for the first time, I do not run my pump because I have sucked them up like that before. BEV
I spotted a couple tadpoles after adding some water to the pond this afternoon. They were hankered down under the rocks in the shallows. I don't blame them because I saw some of my koi lurking in the area, which isn't their usual spot. I sprayed the rocks to get some debris and that made the tadpoles finally surface for a minute. Hopefully at least a few will survive.
BTW, koi clay is amazing! First I had green water, finally got rid of that and then blanket algae moved in. I only started using it yesterday at double the dosage and I can already see a differnece. The koi like to play in it too:)
Send pix!!
Evesta-are your koi very large that they could eat the tadpoles? I bought 5 tadpoles a few weeks ago and within 3 days one was dead in the skimmer but the other 4 are still lurking around the pond. They aren't flashy like the fish and don't swim around as much as glue themselves to a rock (it looks like they are sucking the rocks to stay attached but i have no clue where their mouths are to know if they are in fact sucking on the rocks. . . ).
What kind of tadpoles did you buy? I have some type of South African taddies that aren't supposed to be aggressive towards the koi and the environment but who really know until they grow up, eh?
They are green and leapord frog tadpoles. My biggest koi are maybe 9 to 10 inches. I think they could eat the tadpoles especially the smaller ones. There are a lot of places to hide in the rocks along the waterfall and edges. I know many more baby fry made it then I wanted so hopefully a few of the tadpoles will too.
Got to love ponding... it is always an adventure:)
When I had goldfish 4-7 in long, they snacked on any tadpoles they could find. I always had tons of them in the water containers that had only plants so I would take a fish net full and give them to the fish for some protein. They would go wild chasing them around th pond. If I didn't control the tadpoles, I would be overwhelmed with frogs. I always allow some to mature to help with mosquito control.
My tadpoles were too big for my bigger fish to eat (my larger koi are in the 10-12 " range). Maybe my tadpoles are a little older or just a larger variety. Was I off in thinking 4 tadpoles would be enough to have frogs and more tadpoles next year?
My tadpoles are tiny tree frog type. I have hundreds if not thousands and never get more than 1 inch or so in length so they are a good size for the fish. When I had turtles, they would eat them also.
I have billions....unfortunately, most of Cuban Tree Frog tad's...so I'm happy my koi eat them. (nasty aggressive invasive species here in Florida) The "toad"-poles the fish won't touch...but keep the water very clean.
I saw the largest of my koi squeezed up into the shallows looking under a floating planter that the tadpoles have been hiding under. Pretty sure the fish ate them now but there a very few still in the pond. Might have to try the bigger bull frog tadpoles next year.
Hey guys! I can't find anywhere to buy tadpoles, and I REALLY want some (frogs, that is) Where do you find them? I've checked pet stores, and even bait shops....
If you have frogs in your yard, just set out a shallow container of water. They will come!
I don't have frogs, but I want some. Am looking for a source...
You may have them and not know it! Think I'll try it! My neighbor keeps a large plant saucer for the birds, don't know if the frogs can use it or not, don't see why not, though!
We've had a small pond for 3 years, and I never see frogs. At our old place/pond, I used to see them all the time, on the water lilies and such!
From time to time, they list them on Ebay.
I'm in zone 5 and I haven't seen them being sold in my area for the past 4-5 weeks now. Maybe they are all grown up? Did you check your local pond club? My local club has a listing for all the tadpoles you want in some ladies yard.
I'm still having tons of the tiny tree frog type but couldn't guarantee live delivery. I have had some alive in the water hyacinth and water lettuce I've shipped though. I can try shipping them in a sealed bag with a bit of water lettuce for postage if you want to try.
This message was edited Jul 29, 2008 5:06 AM
Thanks for the offer budgielover, but even if they survived I don't think tree frogs are hardy in my zone 5. (I have a budgie too. My patagonian is afraid of him :-))
I'll check with the pond club, or maybe I'll find them someplace next spring when they're 'in season'!