Description

Frogfather Tadpole Growth + (No.11)

A finely milled supplementary aquatic diet used by Frogfather for suitable omnivorous amphibian larvae.

Tadpole diets vary enormously between amphibian species and through development. For that reason, we do not describe one manufactured diet as nutritionally complete or universally suitable for every tadpole.

What it is designed for

• Fine-particle feeding in individual cups and small grow-out containers
• Small, controlled portions
• Use with suitable omnivorous dart-frog and other amphibian larvae where the diet matches the species

Feeding

Offer a very small amount and adjust according to tadpole size, developmental stage, consumption and water condition. More food is not necessarily better: uneaten material can contribute to deteriorating water quality.

We have removed earlier claims that this food is proven to provide “balanced nutrition”, “efficient digestion”, “reduced water fouling” or “consistent results” across Dendrobates, Ranitomeya, Ameerega, tree frogs and other tropical larvae. Those outcomes have not been demonstrated by controlled nutritional trials of this formulation.

Important species limitation

This product is not a substitute for the specialised parental egg-feeding strategy of obligate egg-feeding species. Nor should it automatically be assumed suitable as the sole diet of larvae with specialist feeding ecology.

Water quality

Even a finely milled food adds organic material to the rearing water. Monitor water condition and remove excess food or perform appropriate partial water changes when needed. Do not use water clarity alone as proof that water chemistry is safe.

Frogfather practice

We use finely portioned tadpole foods as part of our own captive-rearing programme. The feeding quantity and frequency are adjusted according to the animals and the rearing system rather than treated as a universal fixed dose.

Sources & further reading

• Tadpole nutrition review – diversity of larval feeding strategies and species-specific requirements
• Ferrie et al. – Nutrition and Health in Amphibian Husbandry
• Andinobates geminisae study – water composition, supplementation and spindly-leg syndrome