Food for Bullfrog Tadpoles

American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles eat a wide variety of foods in nature, making them excellent pets. Bullfrog tadpoles grow and metamorphose into froglets slowly, providing a great educational experience for children. Bullfrog tadpoles will metamorphose into adult frogs that will require a commitment of several years and are not a short-term pet. However, as adult frogs, bullfrogs consume any live prey offered and are easily cared for.

  1. Algae

    • In their natural environment, Bullfrog tadpoles eat mostly algae. However, it is difficult to find a steady source of algae for pet Bullfrog tadpoles. Algae can be grown by filling empty aquaria with water and placing them in a warm, sunny location to promote algal growth.

    Goldfish Food

    • Bullfrog tadpoles thrive on a diet of commercial goldfish flake food. However, these large tadpoles can consume a much greater amount of flake food within a 15 minute period than other smaller tadpoles.

    Green Vegetables

    • Unlike many smaller tadpoles, Bullfrog tadpoles readily consume a diet of green vegetables, such as romaine lettuce or spinach. Soft, boiled green vegetables are a convenient food source for pet tadpoles, as there is no need to immediately remove boiled greens from the aquarium to prevent contamination.

    Other Vegetables

    • Bullfrog tadpoles will also consume some other soft, boiled vegetables, such as squashes.

    Aquatic Plants

    • Bullfrog tadpoles will also use aquatic plants as a food source. However, Bullfrog tadpoles will voraciously consume aquatic plants--unlike smaller tadpoles. Therefore, aquatic plants are usually a supplemental food source for pet Bullfrog tadpoles.