Tadpole ID South Africa

[Becsnel]

Hi All,
Over the last few weeks we have discovered tadpoles that are growing on our pool cover. We would like to conduct some repairs to our pool but I no not want to disturb the tadpoles of various maturation as there are several endangered species in our area. We are contemplating taking them out and creating a home for them in an aquarium (which would be great for my son) or releasing them into the wild in the river near our house.
I would appreciate some advice and assistance in identification. I have contacted several wildlife groups here but once I have emailed them the image they are yet to come back to me...and I really need to start on the pool asap.
There are around 30 or 40 tadpoles.
Thanks,
Becsnel

[Mentat]

Hello and welcome to FF Becsnel! There are around 115 species of frogs in your country and you will probably need either a specialized book (i.e. A Complete Guide to the Frogs of Southern Africa) or someone who has knowledge of local species to ID the tadpoles. The good news is that you do not need to ID in order to raise and once they morph into frogs it will be easier to ID.

If releasing in the wild, a local pond is better than a flowing river. Many tadpoles can't handle swift currents and will quickly become prey or drown. Depending on their size; you could raise them all in like a 10 gallon tank or larger. Take them and their water into the tank and do 25% daily water changes with same temperature dechlorinated water. Can feed them fish flake food high in vegetable content (spirulina, etc.).

Once their legs are formed, will need to provide a slanted slate like rock or similar platform for them to be able to leave water. Same effect can be achieved by lowering water level and slanting the tank a bit in larger tanks like a 20L. That is important because otherwise the froglets could drown.

Depending on their size they will begin taking either wingless fruit flies or small pinhead gut loaded crickets once their tail is fully reabsorbed into their bodies. Dust all food 2X with CA/D3 and 1X with vitamins supplements weekly on different days and with skip day in between.

Once you get them well started can release and even keep a couple for pets (if lawful to do so). Good luck and keep the thread updated with their pics. We will try to help if needed. Good luck !

[Becsnel]

Hi Mentat,
Thank you so much for the info. It has helped immensely. I have placed as many tadpoles as I could reach (about 40) in a large 25 litre plastic container with a few rocks, leaves, etc. Not sure i need a larger one as the puddles on my pool cover weren't much larger. I am thinking of getting some sand or gravel to put on the bottom. They also seem to be enjoying the fish flakes.
I will invest in a net a try to collect the remaining ones.
I am yet to find someone locally who can either ID them or give advice... I will keep researching and keep you posted.
The kids are definitely enjoying watching them.
Thanks again.
:-)

[Mentat]

You are very welcome ! With tadpoles recommend keeping substrate bare since it's easier to vacuum clean when doing water changes. You got around 6 gal. in there so the hose could be something as small as aquarium airline if tads are tiny to avoid sucking them. With larger tads, that is not a problem and can use a standard aquarium gravity powered vacuum (recommend one with a start squeeze bulb). Since there is no filter, would change 25% of water daily with dechlorinated tap or bottled spring.