Okay I am getting a pond installed tomorrow and when i was at my water garden store I saw these big tadpoles (bullfrogs I *think*) and they say they are good in ponds because they eat bugs and algea. and they look so cute and i think I want to get one but i am not sure they would get along with goldfish my fish are small (biggest is 4 inches) and the tadpoles were 1-3 inches would they get along with my goldies? will they still get along with them when they turn into frogs?
Also there they had turtles and I am also thinking of getting one will they nip at fish's fins?
Full Version: Tadpoles, Frogs And Turtles!
i am by no means a pond expert but, heres a few points:
unfortunately, most turtles WILL nip at goldfish fins. they arent trying to be mean, theyre just hungry and looking for a meal. there are a very few instances where people have acclimated turtles to living with fish in harmony but, that is far and few between and shouldnt be attempted by beginners. ive done this very successfully but, in the end i had to separate my razorback musk turtle and my comet because i wanted to provide both with the best possible living conditions that i could. and them being from two relatively different worlds, this wasnt possible in the same tank. in essence, try not to mix them.
as far as the tadpoles go, can quickly turn into frogs but, a few wind up being waterdogs (a different morphalogical route than normal). my only concern is that tadpoles and frogs can carry a wide variety of bacterial infections and i believe a few parasites into your pond. it may not happen that often but, it something to think about. anyway, they may turn out to be very good inhabitants, just do a bit of research.
if you want to try controlling algae by biological means, i would suggest a pleco of some kind. being that most plecos can get rather large and wind up trying to suck on your slow swimming (or sick) fish, i would then suggest that you get one or two of these types: rubberlip pleco or a bushynose pleco. they will grow to a size of 5- 6 inches maximum. in a pond atmosphere, maybe a tad bigger. if you winter your fish in your pond, you might have to bring the plecos in if your weather reaches temperatures of 50 degrees or colder during the winter.
good luck with your new pond!
unfortunately, most turtles WILL nip at goldfish fins. they arent trying to be mean, theyre just hungry and looking for a meal. there are a very few instances where people have acclimated turtles to living with fish in harmony but, that is far and few between and shouldnt be attempted by beginners. ive done this very successfully but, in the end i had to separate my razorback musk turtle and my comet because i wanted to provide both with the best possible living conditions that i could. and them being from two relatively different worlds, this wasnt possible in the same tank. in essence, try not to mix them.
as far as the tadpoles go, can quickly turn into frogs but, a few wind up being waterdogs (a different morphalogical route than normal). my only concern is that tadpoles and frogs can carry a wide variety of bacterial infections and i believe a few parasites into your pond. it may not happen that often but, it something to think about. anyway, they may turn out to be very good inhabitants, just do a bit of research.
if you want to try controlling algae by biological means, i would suggest a pleco of some kind. being that most plecos can get rather large and wind up trying to suck on your slow swimming (or sick) fish, i would then suggest that you get one or two of these types: rubberlip pleco or a bushynose pleco. they will grow to a size of 5- 6 inches maximum. in a pond atmosphere, maybe a tad bigger. if you winter your fish in your pond, you might have to bring the plecos in if your weather reaches temperatures of 50 degrees or colder during the winter.
good luck with your new pond!
few tidbits on bullfrog tadpoles
they can grow over 6 inches long before they metamorphizewhich is about two years. they will be fine in a pond with regualr sized goldfish, but may become a snack for larger koi, also smaller tadpoles make up part of the diet for some turtles so u have to be careful there. when they turn into bullfrogs they can get very noisy during mating season so make sure your neighbors wont get mad at you.
they can grow over 6 inches long before they metamorphizewhich is about two years. they will be fine in a pond with regualr sized goldfish, but may become a snack for larger koi, also smaller tadpoles make up part of the diet for some turtles so u have to be careful there. when they turn into bullfrogs they can get very noisy during mating season so make sure your neighbors wont get mad at you.
I don't think I will go with turtles I think i am going to get some tadpoles because on the store's site they said they were green frogs.
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