It is important to understand how to properly care for tadpoles so that you can successfully raise them into adults.It is easy to care for the eggs and once you know how to feed the tadpoles and prepare them for adulthood, you will be on your way to raising full grown African Clawed Frogs!
Step 1: There are tadpole eggs in the adults.
The rate of survival depends on the conditions of the tank, as a female frog can lay anywhere from 500 to 1,000 eggs.Keeping the adults separated from the eggs is the most important factor.The tadpole eggs are in danger of being eaten.You should notice the first egg in the next couple of days.If the eggs will hatch at night, you should check the tank every morning.Give one tank to the eggs.The tank needs to be wide but not too tall.A good tank size is between 6 and 10 gallons with a water level of 7 to 12 inches deep.The water temperature should be higher for tadpoles.The tadpoles can be kept in water that is slightly cooler than 70 degrees.An aquarium heater can be purchased from a pet store.If you want to monitor the temperature in the water, you have to have a thermometer.Most of the tadpoles will reach maturity as long as the environment is suitable, so you need to decide how many you want to raise.
Step 2: The eggs should hatch.
Eggs hatch within a couple of days.The tadpoles will be transparent and extremely tiny once hatched.The tadpoles will grow quickly despite their small size.Eggs should be kept in a large tank.
Step 3: Look for them to swim.
Being able to swim freely is a big step in the life of a tadpole.They will attach themselves to the side of the tank, but within a few days you will notice they are swimming.This is an important milestone in the life of a tadpole, but it is also your cue to start feeding them.They will be living off of the yolk sac until this point.
Step 4: Feed the tadpoles once they start swimming.
It is time to feed the tadpoles.powdered egg and extremely fine goldfish food are available.There are major retail stores that sell powdered egg.Pet supply stores and major stores have goldfish food.The goldfish food will need to be ground into a powder.You can grind the flakes with a mortar and pestle.Tadpoles shouldn't be overfed.A small "O" of food should be created for the tadpoles at the top of the tank.The "O" should be small and the same size.It should be enough for the day.
Step 5: They should not take too long to eat.
The tadpoles taking longer than an hour and a half to eat is an indication that they are being overfed.Excess food accumulates in the tank and prevents oxygen from reaching the tadpoles.You can see food in their stomachs because of their transparent appearance.Their bellies should not be bloated.The O of food should be slightly smaller if they are being overfed.Continue to keep an eye on their eating habits.You may have to increase the amount of food you give them.
Step 6: The food should be moving properly.
It is important to make sure that the food is small.Tadpoles don't have a mouth so food is absorbed through a filter.They aren't able to receive proper sustenance if the food is not circulating.It is important to place the "O's" of food.Place them in different places.One liter of water per tadpole will help to ensure there is enough space to spread out the food.
Step 7: Scoop instead of net.
Don't use a net to get your tadpoles.If you have to move them, use a cup to scoop them out of their current space and into a new one.You should never use your hands to carry tadpoles.This is just as dangerous as using a net.
Step 8: 20% of the water needs to be changed every day.
The tadpole needs to survive to keep their tank clean.Changing out a part of the tadpole's water on a daily basis will help to keep the water and tank clean.You don't need to empty the entire tank on a daily basis.You should scoop out most of the old water and replace it with fresh, clean water.Use either bottled water or de-chlorinated water.The tadpoles should thrive if the water isn't too acidic.
Step 9: The tank needs to be cleaned every two weeks.
Even though the aquarium only needs to be cleaned on a weekly or every other week basis, you should still inspect it every day to make sure it is clean.To clean the bottom of the tank, use a turkey baster.This will allow you to get some of the dirt and debris at the bottom without disturbing the tadpoles.Transfer the tadpoles to another temporary tank when you are done cleaning the tank.Make sure the water is similar to the aquarium.Once the tadpoles have been moved, thoroughly clean the tank and sterilize everything.It is a good idea to use a reptile friendly cleaning product.Products can be found in specialty pet stores.Tadpoles are sensitive to their environment, so it's important to keep up with the regular cleaning.Most of your tadpoles should reach adulthood if the environment is kept clean.
Step 10: The tadpoles can be switched to adult food.
To make sure your tadpoles are ready for adult food, you need to closely watch them for physical changes.The appearance of front legs and the disappearance of their tail are some of the physical changes.The appearance of front legs is the first sign that your tadpole is going to change.Make a note of this change on the calendar.Wait until the tail shrinks to a stump.The tadpole adult food should be fed at this point.It will take 10 days for the tail to shrink to a stump.If you mark the date on a calendar, you will know when you need to purchase adult food.The adult frog will eat lean, raw beef or an earthworm.They should be able to easily consume the food that is bite-sized.They should only be fed 3-4 times a week.