Topic: please help me identify...

[giwdul]

I found this guy in a river in Fresno California

I know tadpoles have gills, but this guy seems to breathe air, he periodically goes up for a gulp, and on his way up a bubble comes out of his mouth

anyone have any clues?

[attachment deleted by mean old server people]

[Aiptasia]

It's definitely a tadpole. Looks like a bullfrog tadpole that's going through it's metamorphosis between gills to lungs.

[giwdul]

okay cool thanks, ive read online that tadpoles will eat fish food, but does that apply to wild tadpoles as well? as of now i dont have any real plants in the tank, but theyre not a big deal to get. if i need real plants what kind would be best?

It is housed with guppies, any danger? i dont mean to the tadpole, but to the guppies

all feedback is greatly appreciated, im definitely not the expert here

[RinsMom]

We have toad and frog tadpoles in our pond outside every year, and they co-exist with the goldfish just fine....  the goldfish rarely eat them, either.. I've even seen them spit them out when they accidentally "ate" one...

These tadpoles are quite small, though.. (most of the time it is toad tadpoles... gulf coast toad, usually).  I did see a huge bullfrog tadpole in there one year, though...  cool!

I don't know about a small system, though.. mine is about 700 gallons.

[giwdul]

omg... 700 gallons? thats insane! now is that a 700 gallon pond in the backyard? or is that a 700 gallon tank

[RinsMom]

700 gallon plastic stock tank being used as a water garden.....  approximately 2 ft deep by 8 ft across...

It has been a lot of fun watching the ecosystem back there... the cycle of fish, the plants, the insects/wildlife that visit... I even saw a green heron perched out there one day!

[giwdul]

thats awesome im only 17 but im thoroughly obsessed with animals xD my step mom wont let me have a tank inside the house so i keep a ten gallon in the garage xD but once i have my own place im gonna go crazy hahaha assuming my funds allow it

[RinsMom]

Now is the time to learn how to take care of your tanks properly... I think of the many mistakes and misconceptions I had about aquariums for the past years, and realize that it was only on finding petfish that I learned how to properly care for the fish.....

[giwdul]

yeah im sure i dont know nearly all i need as of now but right now i only have guppies so im not too worried about them

[nonamethefish]

Hello to another Fresnan! That is indeed a bullfrog tadpole. If you want any insider info on stores, places etc. feel free to get in touch. I am in LB for school but still go back to da NO for my breaks whenever I can for old friends.

Keep in mind bullfrogs are invasive species. Unfortunately they've managed to colonize most every permanent body of water in this area...don't help them out! If that turns into a frog and you can't keep it...do not release it. I'd either euthanize or give it to someone with a snake/fish to feed. I love bullfrogs, but unfortunately they don't belong here. They don't make very good pets either.

At this time of year California toad and Pacific treefrog tadpoles will also be in the water. You'd be most likely to find these in marshy areas. They can coexist with bullfrogs but a lot of them get eaten.