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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 44
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OP
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 44 |
I have a new pond that was just stocked this spring with 4-6" and 6-8" Yellow Perch and I have noticed that here are thousands of small tadpoles swimming along the shore. I was wondering if perch eat tadpoles?
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,714 Likes: 281
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2009
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Several folks have indicated that some tadpoles are distasteful to fish. I also have quite a few tadpoles in my pond with perch and a few SMB. I seem to have a much higher density of tadpoles in the settling pond with no large fish though, so maybe the fish take some tadpoles out before learning that they taste bad.
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Joined: Jan 2012
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Joined: Jan 2012
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I think its the toad tadpoles that taste bad.
Goofing off is a slang term for engaging in recreation or an idle pastime while obligations of work or society are neglected........... Wikipedia
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,714 Likes: 281
Lunker
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Lunker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,714 Likes: 281 |
Some of mine are pretty big, so I think they are bullfrog tadpoles. "They are distasteful to some fish as well which allows them to live in permanent ponds with them." http://capitalnaturalist.blogspot.com/2015/05/american-bullfrog.html
Last edited by RAH; 04/29/16 08:08 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,110 Likes: 478
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Posts: 15,110 Likes: 478 |
My experience is yellow perch nor walleyes do not eat tadpoles. Bullfrog tadpoles are abundant in my pond with a high density of YP and WE. Cover for tadpoles is minimal and tadpoles as very vulnerable forage freely swim among large YP that are actively feeding.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Joined: Jun 2012
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I have observed the same as stated above. One thing that will eat up the toadpoles is the black birds. As soon as they get piled up on the shore and when they get their little legs and start hopping around the shore the black birds and redwing black birds eat them up.
Wonder what effect the tadpoles have on the water plankton the baby fry would eat? Is it enough one should scoop out all the tadpoles you can?
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 44
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OP
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 44 |
Don, I have noticed a lot of blackbirds along the shore now that you mention it. Might be a real good idea to remove some of them as you suggest to reduce the competition from the young fish.
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Joined: May 2009
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Lunker
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Lunker
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Will those humongous tadpoles eat perch fry? I have a bunch of those this year and the frogs/tadpoles seem to be enjoying the same Christmas tree habitat that I put out for the perch.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,110 Likes: 478
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Tadpoles are herbivores and eat primarily attached algae not plankton.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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Don, we've been covered in the red winged blackbirds this year. We were wondering what they were eating. They perch on our reeds around the pond. Thanks for that info.
AL
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Ambassador Field Correspondent Hall of Fame Lunker
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I don't know of anything (except starving fish) that will willingly eat any tadpole. Some (most?) tadpoles, like the American Toad have toxic chemicals in the slime, or release it when molested...
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Joined: Jun 2002
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I put in my pond 100 perch a couple of months ago and have not seen them, even as I feed my minnows every day. My pond is full of minnows so I suspect they are feeding on them. I have lots of Red Wing blackbirds living in the cattails of my pond and perhaps they eat my numerous tadpoles. Since I let my pond grow spatterdock lilies I to know they eat lots of bugs and spiders that live in the spatterdock.
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Joined: May 2009
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Lunker
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Lunker
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Thank you for posting another great pic!
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