Feeding Frogs

[Burbotman]

Recently I have seen quite a few references to the use of frogs as feeders for large fish.

A few questions
Any concerns with toxicity?????
Any species to avoid?? (toads are obviously out)
Feed live or dead??
Tadpoles???

I apprecite the responses from anyone who has had experiance with this as this sounds like it might be a good variation in diet for my fish.

Thanks

 

[fisher12889]

I have fed small live bullfrogs to my 20" arowana, and when I had oscars they would eat bullfrog tadpoles. Live is probably better because of the movement. I would probably stick with small bullfrogs, leopard frogs, and any other frogs that you can find locally. Im not aware of any north american frogs that are toxic, but some toads secrete a toxin from their skin.

 

[metant]

I am also feeding live frogs and tadpoles to my arowana and other large fishes.
Stick with the common frogs and tadpoles like bullfrogs to avoid any problems.

 

[guppy]

As a general rule avoid any amphibian that produces a white exudate when irritated.

 

[HarleyK]

As another general rule, I suggest not to use any frogs caught in the wild. With the global decline in amphibians, we do not need to catch them to feed to our fish. Enjoy them wild when you're outdoors, and get captive-bred feeders

HarleyK




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[johno27]

I agree buy feeder frogs leave the wild ones alone

 

[fisher12889]

If you have big enough fish, some bait shops sell waterdogs, which are the larval stage of a tiger salamander, for pretty cheap. Here they are like $2-2.50 when they have them.