Brhino and Daughter's Frog Adventure

[madagascariensis]

In regards to your tadpole that won't change into a frog, could it be that he still is sensing the seasons from an indoor tank and has decided to overwinter As a tadpole? Maybe you'll see some change in spring
Or alternatively could it be the lack of seasonal cues in the indoor tank that made him confused? Just putting out ideas...

[Brhino]

Well, I went searching for some frog experts and found a frog forum at frogforum.net. They are positive that my frog is NOT a leopard frog. They're reasonably confident that it's a bullfrog. I thought bullfrog tadpoles looked quite a bit different than mine but as it turns out the appearance of bullfrog tadpoles is highly variable.

The other interesting thing about bullfrogs is that they can take 1 to 2 years to go from tadpoles to frogs... so that explains why these guys are taking so long to transform.

So... Brhino and Daughter's Leopard Frog Adventure is, in fact, Brhino and Daughter's Bullfrog Adventure.

[Carapar56]

See!! I knew that wasn't a leaopard frog. I may be young but I know my frogs

[Brhino]

Today marks big changes for the frog and tadpole! We're getting the room they're in ready to be my daughter's new room, and we don't have space for the spare 10-gallon tank anymore, so the tadpole has moved in with the community tank. I've done some research on this and I think it should work out... the community take is perhaps a bit warm for the tadpole but not too bad.

I'm sure having a fully planted home is a lot nicer for a vegetarian. He was involved in an extremely low-speed collision with an assassin snail, but he seemed to get through that all right.


When I set up the tadpole tank I threw in a couple java ferns to give them some cover. They haven't grown much but they survived, in a tank with no substrate, no fertilization, and no light beyond the ambient room light. I am not lacking for java ferns in any of my tanks but I didn't have the heart to get rid of these survivors, so I tossed them to float around in my betta tanks. There at least they get a light for a few hours a day.


The frog enclosure moved from one side of the room to the other. Not really a big deal, but I was concerned that picking it up and moving it would freak out the frog or break one of the silicone seals around the acrylic box. Fortunately both frog and enclosure got through the trip with no difficulty.

[KevinVA]

He was involved in an extremely low-speed collision with an assassin snail, but he seemed to get through that all right.

lol, this cracked me up.

Glad to hear everything is going well, Brhino. Hope the tadpole does well in the community tank. I'm surprised he hasn't grown any... What's the plan for when he goes full-frog?

[CrazedMichael]

Nice update mate. Nice to finally pinpoint the reason behind the slow development. A little less headscratching on your part.

The frog tank still looks really good and natural

[Brhino]

Hope the tadpole does well in the community tank. I'm surprised he hasn't grown any... What's the plan for when he goes full-frog?

Well, I learned my lesson with the second one to change - I can't add a small frog in with a big frog. I'll have to whip up some kind of temporary semi-aquatic environment. Hopefully if I give him lots of critters to eat he'll catch up in size to the first one, or at least close enough that cannibalism isn't a concern.

[KevinVA]

Ahhh, I do recall poor #2. Well, nature's a you know what and completely unpredictable. Now that you know what #1 is capable of, I'm sure you'll be more successful with #3. lol

[Aeonflame]

I can change the thread title if you like.