Breaching

[Daniel B]

Hi all,

I'm new to raising tadpoles and want to check something I've noticed.

So I gathered some tadpoles from a pond in suburban Melbourne and placed them in a tank I purchased. They've survived for most of a week and seem fairly healthy, so I must be doing something right.

Anyway, I've noticed they seem to be swimming to the top periodically and breaking the surface, then going back down to the bottom again, about every minute or so. It doesn't seem to be food related as they're not targeting the food fragments I've given them when they do it. Do they need more oxygen, or is this normal behaviour?

Based on published frog counts for the collection site, I suspect they're either Eastern Banjo or Brown Tree.

Would appreciate suggestions.

[HoppingMad]

Tadpoles regularly come up for gulps of air as they get older and begin to develop lungs. This is perfectly normal, although if you become worried about oxygen levels, you can add a gentle bubbler or aquatic plants.