Tadpole/frog ID help

[pinniped]

Hello everyone! I literally just registered.

I was wondering if could anyone help in identifying what species this tadpole-almost-frog is? I work at a local fish store and he showed up in our live fish shipment completely by random with no indication of what he is.




In the 24 hours since we received him I've been trying to give myself a crash-course in amphibian care, but overall I'm a complete beginner (tropical fish and fancy goldfish are much more my area), so advice on keeping him happy would be much appreciated! Right now my manager has him in the feeder goldfish tank, agh…


The store has an okay stock of supplies I can use at my discretion so I can manage to make him something for the short-term until I can get something more permanent set up. I would love to bring him home if I'm able to.

Thank you very much for any assistance, I really appreciate it!

[Mentat]

Hello and welcome to FF! From the size of it, would say it's an American Bullfrog - Rana catesbeiana. The feeder goldfish tank is not a nice place for it because there are lot's of pathogens in those tanks. Frog will need food a day or two after adsorbing tail.

If a Bullfrog; only issue is they need huge tanks as adults. A male can do in a 55G; but a female will require larger. You set them up with a split wet 75%/dry 25% area or so. You can use this care article; just provide a bigger tank: Frog Forum - Leopard Frog Care - Rana pipiens (Schreber, 1782) and R. sphenocephala (1886) .

[pinniped]

Thank you very much for your help!

I have a 20L tank at home that I can stick him/her in for the time being until I can set up a full adult home. Although I was hoping s/he'd be something smaller, I suppose I can handle a bullfrog. My boyfriend isn't too happy about the additional aquarium in the house but he seems to like the little frogling already. I'm actually pretty excited, since it's a new area of pet care I haven't tried yet!

[Heatheranne]

Hello and welcome. It's tough to see, but I too think he's a Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana, or American bullfrog.

Mentat has a good start for you. He will eventually need at least a 75 gallon tank at minimal. His water area should have a good filter such as a turtle filter or a filter that is made to handle twice the amount of water that you actually use in the pond area. They are great eaters and will pass wastes as much as they eat. They can jump 3-6 ft easily with one leap as adults, so be sure to have clamps on his screen lid .

Congrats on your new bully! Shortly after he/she absorbs the tail you'll be able to tell his gender.