Tadpole ID?

[Yahmez]

Hello everyone,

I was at Wally World two weeks ago and the kids and I headed over to the pets area to pick up some bird seed and check out the poorly cared for fish. We were on our way out of the isle when my 5 year old daughter heard some kid tell another something about a tadpole in one tank. Sure enough, she found it about 2 minutes later... Upon closer inspection, it sure was a tadpole, right in there with 3 Koi and some fancy goldfish. Way too crowded, plus the Koi were nipping at him. Well after arguing with the manager about the tadpole not being a chinese algae eater, I finally gave in and bought him at the algae eater price. (Hell he does like algae )

Anyway, I think he looks like almost every native tadpole I have seen around here... an American Bullfrog. He's flipping huge and he doesn't even have any legs yet. If he turns out to be a local species I'll probably let him free after metamorphosis.

I just had to rescue him from Wal-Mart though.

-James

[Lamb]

It certainly looks like it could be an American bullfrog tadpole, but here are a few questions just to be sure:

What state are you in? Approximately how big is it? Also, look really closely towards the base of its tail. I see something that might be developing limbs, or it could just be the vent and an effect of the angle of the picture. Lastly, does its belly have any color or pattern (i.e., is it white and opaque (typically bullfrog), or white and opaque with significant black mottling (typical with green/bronze frogs))?

I've found tadpoles in the aquatic plant bins at PetSmart before, not surprised WalMart gets them as by-catch as well.

[Yahmez]

Thanks for the reply Lamb. I'm in Ohio. I don't see any legs yet, or any coloring at all on his stomach. It's just white and very slightly transparent. I'd say he's about 3+ inches total, and a good inch at least for just his body length (minus tail).

[Lamb]

Then I'd say bullfrog.