Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I have recently ordered three Conraua goliath from a friend in Sweeden. A breeding adult pair and an immature male.

Does anybody know of any information on tadpole rearing for this species, i haven't been able to find much. Thanks in advance

Wow, all I can really say is good luck. Very few people, hobbyists or profesionals, have had success raising goliath frog tadpoles. The information below was copied from http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/amphib_query?where-genus=Conraua&where-species=goliat

"The range extends from the last 200 kms of the Sanaga basin in the Cameroon in the north to the last 150 kms of the Benito river basin in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea in the south. This area is defined as a dense equatorial forest fringe, has an average width of 150 to 180 kms, runs roughly parallel to the coast, and includes the basin of the Sanaga river south to the basin of the Benito, Wolo, or Mbini rivers. C. goliath has a discontinuous distribution.
C. goliath is found in rapids and cascades of rivers with a sandy bottom and clean, slightly tannic, oxygen-rich waters. The surrounding vegetation can be described as West African (congolid) rainforest. A particular species of plant, Dicraea warmingii warmingii always covers the rocks among the cascades and rapids and is the exclusive food source of the tadpoles in the first weeks of their larval stage. Egg masses consist of about several hundred eggs and are attached to vegetation at the bottom of rivers. Larval development takes between 85 and 95 days"
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Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
4.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Dwarf French Guiana'
1.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
5.1 Mantella aurantiaca
2.1 Mantella crocea
0.0.2 Mantella madagascariensis
1.0 Ceratophrys cranwelli
1.0 Bufo americanus
0.0.1 Salamandra salamandra
1.0 Ambystoma tigrinum
0.1 Chamaeleo calyptratus
0.1 Phelsuma dubia
1.0 Uroplatus ebenaui
0.0.1 Chrysemys picta belli
1.0 Terrapene carolina triunguis

I just asked if anyone, then who is keeping these frogs in Sweden. I mean, I guess maybe that person has succesfully raised them? Anyway, if I would get results I'll post here.

Good Luck!
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CokeOfMan

Thanks, my friend has bread them twice but on both occasions all the tadpoles died, it seemed impossible to keep the toxin levels in the water down. Maybe the fast following river conditions in its natural habitat are important (oxygenation & filtration?)

My friend is actually Russian and has not been in Sweeden long so he doesn't know of any success with the species in Sweeden.

However if anybody there does have any information it would be much appreciated.

I see that tanic conditions in the water was mentioned certain rivers in the u.s have water with moderate levels of tanic acid such as the wisconson river near wisconson dells. Caused by vegetation in the water creating a tea like mixture this same tanic acid is used as an ingredient in cola. Maybe a diluted amount of tanic acid in the water could simulate this but I would ask an expert first about the amount that would be acceptable for this since all frogs are sensitive to any thing put in thier water. Maybe research first on the actual percent of tanic acid in the rivers in which they come. Also try hard to secure some of the native plant that the tads thrive on if possible. Recreating thier environment in every way is prob your best bet.

Many dart frog breeders attribute their success at raising tadpoles to creating a "tannic acid tadpole tea" The breeder I've talked to places a handful of oak leaves in treated tap water and then heats them until the water turns a light yellow color. It's worth experimenting with on other species of tadpoles that come from areas of water that have high tannic acid levels.
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Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
4.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Dwarf French Guiana'
1.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
5.1 Mantella aurantiaca
2.1 Mantella crocea
0.0.2 Mantella madagascariensis
1.0 Ceratophrys cranwelli
1.0 Bufo americanus
0.0.1 Salamandra salamandra
1.0 Ambystoma tigrinum
0.1 Chamaeleo calyptratus
0.1 Phelsuma dubia
1.0 Uroplatus ebenaui
0.0.1 Chrysemys picta belli
1.0 Terrapene carolina triunguis

We use a similar method for keeping aquatic or semi-aquatic snakes (BUT I WOULD NOT USE IT FOR AMPHIBS...THIS IS MY DISCLAIMER). These snakes are prone to sores and other problems that pop up when the water does not have the same acidic PH that the animals are used to. This would be too strong for amphibs, but we often boil tea to attain the same acidic PH and use a very weak, diluted tea solution for the snake's water. It works pretty well. It always helps if you match the natural conditions to help weed out problems that can arise.
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Yahoo:surfandskimtx04
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

Yeah, I agree. Most zoos and other facilities can't even keep them alive. Out of curiosity, are you positive they are Conraua?
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Yahoo:surfandskimtx04
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

They're Conraua, West African goliath frogs. From the Sanaga and Benito rivers in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

I know what they are. I was making sure you have actually seen evidence that these are really Conraua and not just some fake as fakes can pop up. Andy
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Yahoo:surfandskimtx04
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

Ive seen the frogs in person.