Q&A for How to Catch Tadpoles

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Why can't I catch tadpoles? I read the instructions, but they keep jumping out of my container

Community Answer

Your container is probably too short. You can also use a small piece of mesh to stop them from being able to jump out.

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Question

In what part of a body of water am I most likely to find tadpole eggs?

Community Answer

Tadpoles usually prefer still, shallow water, so look along the edges of a pond or lake.

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Question

If I have my tadpoles in a long (but not thick) container, will it kill them?

Community Answer

Tadpoles will need lots of space to grow. I would not recommend keeping them in a small container, and it would be best to have more surface area than depth.

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Question

Could you use a small fish net to catch them?

Community Answer

Yes. A fish net is one tool that works to catch tadpoles. You can also use a mason jar, but a net may work better.

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Question

What time of year do frogs/toads usually lay their eggs?

Community Answer

They usually lay their eggs in winter so they can hatch and develop throughout spring.

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Question

We had tadpoles in a small pool outside in the hot sun. I decided it was too hot, so I moved them to a bucket while i relocated the pool into the shade with fresh tap water and put the dechlorine drops in it. I also added a bubbler. The next day, I had lots of dead tadpoles. What did I do wrong?

Wolfgirl3302

Community Answer

They got too hot, and you stressed them by taking them away from where they were before.

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Question

Can I use mt hands to catch tadpoles?

kingbooglyboo read3r

Community Answer

Yes. Make sure to dowse your hands in the pond you are catching them in. It will not kill them.

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Question

How do I find tadpoles?

Community Answer

Look where the frogs are, near the muddy banks of lakes or swamps.

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Question

Can I have tadpoles and cleaning snails in a tank together?

Gamer goo

Community Answer

No, it will kill them. Take the water that they were born in and put it and the tadpoles into another tank.

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Question

What area of a dugout would be best to find tadpoles and what kind of fishtank filter would work best?

Community Answer

Frogs do sometimes lay eggs in a dug out. You'll have to watch and wait until you see tadpoles swimming around. Make sure you get a filtration system, make sure it has a lid. Tadpoles are very small, and can easily swim into ducts and die.

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Question

In which season can I find tadpoles?

Community Answer

You can find tadpoles in the beginning of spring (in small marshy pools or puddles).

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Question

Is it possible to tell the difference between frog and toad tadpoles?

Community Answer

Toad tadpoles remain black after a couple of weeks, while frog tadpoles may have splotches of green or other frog-like colors. If you got the tadpoles while they were eggs, it is fairly easy to tell since frog spawn is in clumps while toad spawn is in a chain.

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Question

Are their tadpoles in the summer?

Community Answer

Yes. Summer is actually the best time to find them.

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Question

Tadpoles have hatched in my pond. What is the best way to release them into the local creek/swampy area without shocking them?

Community Answer

The best way is to put them in a clear box or container and carry them slowly to the water. They should be fine once you actually place them into the water.

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Question

Can I catch tadpoles in California?

Community Answer

Yes, just find a warm-temperature lake, that's where they'll be.

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Question

Can I put a tadpole with my fish?

Community Answer

You can, but it's not really ideal as the tadpoles might require a different environment/water temperature than your fish. They could also present diseases to the fish if you found the tadpoles in a pond or lake.

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Question

Can I keep tadpoles and/or frogs in an open pool? Or will birds eat them?

Community Answer

You can keep tadpoles and frogs in an open pool, but there needs to be cover under which they can hide from predators, including birds.

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Question

I caught some tadpoles in my pool. Where should I release them?

Community Answer

You can release them into any nearby body of freshwater, such as ponds, creeks, or lakes. You could even contact your local wildlife resource agency and ask if they have an ideal spot for release.

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Question

It rained and I see a lot of frog eggs masses in a small wet area that will no doubt soon dry up. Can I relocate the egg masses to a more permanent waterway?

Community Answer

If you're sure that the water will dry up then yes, but frogspawn is very delicate and sensitive so if you do move them, it is best to wear latex free gloves and be as careful as possible.

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Question

I tried to catch tadpoles, but, they all swam away way too fast so I could not catch them. What should I do?

Community Answer

Wait about an hour until the tadpoles have settled down again. Try disturbing the water as little as possible, and use your catching device to go from the air into the water quickly instead of skimming through the water.

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Question

I had a lot of tadpoles and I put them in a big container. Two days later, they were all dead. What happened? They were not overcrowded.

Community Answer

They were not in their natural habitat, and therefore couldn't survive. Even if you place them in water sourced from wherever you got them, they most likely will die because they are not used to habitats small in size compared to a pond or a lake.

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Question

Where could I catch tadpoles in Florida?

Community Answer

In a pond or go to a beach. They like to congregate near rocks.

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Question

Is there a specific way to identify the genders of the tadpoles? Or does it not matter when they are this young?

Community Answer

You don't have to worry. The frogs start to lay eggs at four years old. If you want to identify the genders when they are older, you can just look at the disk behind their eyes.

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Question

Can I catch tadpoles in Texas?

Community Answer

Yes. You can find them in shallow waters (creeks, big muddy rain puddles, shallow parts of ponds) in late May or early June (around the time they start to hatch).

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Question

Can I put tadpoles in a bucket?

Community Answer

You can keep them in a bucket for a short period of time, but not indefinitely.

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Question

Can I use crushed fish food as a food?

FutureHow

Community Answer

Yes, you can. There is even tadpole-directed food that you can buy at a pet store.

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Question

Will it harm a tadpole to touch it? Like, if I tap a tadpole or something, will the tadpole be harmed in any way?

FutureHow

Community Answer

It depends on how big the tadpole is. If it's really small, don't touch or hold it. If it is larger you can hold it, but be gentle.

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Question

is spring water okay to use ? Like a bottle of shop bought water?

FutureHow

Community Answer

Yes, it will most likely not harm the tadpoles. You could always use water from a pond or such.

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Question

If there are no streams or lakes by your house, do you find a big puddle in your street or driveway?

FutureHow

Community Answer

No, there will most likely not be any tadpoles in large puddles. Your best bet is to find a pond or marsh and look there.

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Question

Can I put seahorses in with my tadpoles?

Community Answer

No, you can't. Seahorses need salt water, tadpoles need fresh water, they could get really sick if you try to mix them.

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