Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello,
I noticed today that some of my tads from my latest clutch are floating at the surface of the water. I know they aren't dead because the swim back down after a while, but then agauin they float to the surface. Has anyone had the same experience with their tads? What is it caused by? Should i be worried at all?
thanks
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Nate
1.1 alanis tincs
0.0.2 imitators(looking for sens and horn line frogs)
0.0.2 Azureus
0.0.3 green pumilio(On waiting list that puts the waiting in waiting list )

In my experience, this can be a normal thing for hatchling tadpoles. For the first week or so, they need to remain near the surface of the water to prevent drowning. I know this sounds crazy, but I believe that their gills haven't properly closed off and formed the tubular structure that juts out from teh side of the head. Your best bet would be to lower the water to around an inch deep or so until they stop floating. Do this with any newly acquired tads and you should be ok. I've also experienced this in the later stages of development and can't figure out why. I've also found some with rather large gas bubbles in their bodies and die from it. I hope this helps, it's just my $0.02 worth.

-Bill J
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Updated list as of: 10/20/03
2.2.3 D. azureus
1.2 D. ventrimaculatus 'yellow' (22 tads in the water)
3.3 D. tinctorius 'cobalt'
0.0.3 D. tinctorius 'patricia'
0.0.1 D. tinctorius 'giant orange'
0.0.1 D. tinctorius 'citronella'
0.0.2 D auratus 'zwartgroene(black)'
0.0.5 D. auratus 'green/black' (tads)
0.0.3 D. imitator 'Alex Sens line' (very soon)
0.0.2 D. reticulatus (soon)

In my experience it seems that this might stem from too low of oxygen levels in the water. It seems common in recently hatched tads, but with older ones they tend to die eventually unless the problem is fixed. I usually put some aquatic plants or java moss in with them and they seem to snap out of it. That whole bubble thing is strange.... I've had it happen like twice and each time they morphed out with no problems..... still can't figure out the reason for the inflation...usually in the throat region. Anyway, hope this helps.

Good luck!
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Justin
stk18119@loki.stockton.edu

D.auratus
D.leucomelas
D.tinctorius (lorenzo, yellowback, citro, pb, oyopock,etc.)
D.azureus
D.ventrimaculatus (yellow/gold)
D.pumilio (blue jeans, solid red)
P.aurotaenia (narrow bands/green)
P.bicolor
E.tricolor (Santa Isabel)
H. leucophyllata
P. hypochondrialis azurea
P. resinfictrix
etc.......