I have a 1/2 acre pond that was just stocked with RES, CNB, and CC/BC. The question I have is the pond is full of frogs and tadpoles. It also has lots of crawfish and some salamander looking things. The tadpoles are everywhere, I am sure there are thousands. They swim to the surface like they are getting air and then swim back down. Are they air breathers and this is normal, or is it a sign of lack of oxygen or something. Can there be too many.

Sounds to me like a buffet for all the newly stocked fish...if they are big enough to benefit from the tadpoles.

I do not believe the catfish are big enough, the tadpoles are big, about the size of my thumb.

Regarding tadpole count, while some may very well beg to differ, the general concensus of these folks is that that you can never have too many tadpoles.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ponds/msg0611094919276.html

Hi CSCS

I too have a multitude of bullfrog tadpoles and consider myself fortunate. It's normal for them to come to the surface for a gulp, then head back down - NOT a sign of O2 depletion. Tadpoles are excellent forage and they will help your CC and BC put on some weight.

If/When you stock your pond with bass, as they get big enough to eat the tadpoles, their numbers will all but disappear...

I concur...and can heartily attest that they WILL go (mostly) away as your fish base grows. Had a blue billion the first 2 summers after construction, and although I've still got some massive bullfrogs, I've very few tadpoles, anymore.