Food Requirements: Lettuce leaves (unwanted outer dark green leaves from your green grocer). Be sure to wash them thoroughly to remove any pesticides. Boil these leaves for 15 to 20 minutes until soft, drain the water off through a colander and allow to cool. Boiled lettuce leaves may be conveniently stored in plastic (not metal) ice cube trays and frozen ready for use. Do not microwave the lettuce as this will not satisfactorily produce the soft pulpy texture which tadpoles can easily consume. Do not over-feed as the water may become polluted. Feed every 1-3 days. Under-feeding may lead to cannibalism amongst tadpoles. Other foods include algae on the pond walls and plants, the underside of water-plant foliage, small amounts of fish food etc.

The inclusion of water plants in the container will assist in keeping the water clear. As tadpoles constantly return to the surface to breathe, do not allow to multiply to such an extent that it clogs the surface or impedes the tadpoles’ route to the surface.