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 able to raise 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 separate 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 few days.If the eggs will hatch at night, you should check the tank every morning.Give one tank to the eggs.The tank should not be too tall.A good tank size is between 6 and 10 gallons with a water level of 3-6 inches deep.The water temperature should be higher for tadpoles.The tadpoles can be kept in water that is slightly cooler when they are older.An aquarium heater can be purchased from a local pet store.If you want to monitor the temperature in the water, you need a thermometer.Most of the tadpoles will reach maturity so 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 few days.The tadpoles will be transparent and extremely tiny once they are hatched.The tadpoles will grow quickly despite their small size.It is important to keep the eggs in a large tank.
Step 3: They should be able to swim freely.
Being able to swim freely is a big milestone 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.It 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 when they start swimming.
It is time to feed the tadpoles.powdered egg and extremely fine goldfish food are available.You can find powdered egg at major retail stores.Major stores and pet supply stores have goldfish food.The goldfish food needs to be ground into a powder.If you want to make a fine powder, you can use a mortar and pestle.Tadpoles shouldn't be overfed.A small "O" of food for the tadpoles at the top of the tank is a good rule of thumb.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 getting to the tadpoles.You can see the 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 watch their eating habits.You may need to increase the amount of food you give them.
Step 6: The food should be moving properly.
It is important to make sure the food is small.Tadpoles don't have a mouth, so food is absorbed through a filter.They aren't able to receive the proper sustenance if the food is not circulating.It is important to put the "O's" of food away.Don't put them all in one spot.One liter of water per tadpole will be enough to make sure 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 move tadpoles.This is the same danger as using a net.
Step 8: 20% of the water needs to be changed every day.
The tadpole needs to keep their tank clean.Changing out a part of the tadpole's water on a daily basis will help to keep the water clean.You don't need to empty the entire tank on a daily basis.The old water should be removed and replaced 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's clean.Use a turkey baster to clean the bottom of the tank.The dirt and debris at the bottom can be removed without disturbing the tadpoles.Transfer the tadpoles to another temporary tank when you clean the tank.Make sure the water is similar to their aquarium.After 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 should 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 as well as 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.You should start feeding the tadpole adult food at this point.It will take 10 days for the tail to shrink from the front legs.If you mark the date on a calendar, you will know when you need to buy adult food.The adult frog can eat lean, raw beef or an earthworm.They should be able to easily eat the food that is bite-sized.They should only be fed 3-4 times a week.