Frog Production

1
Frog Production

• Aquaculture
• Unit 6
• Lesson 2

2
Objectives

• List problems associated with frog production
• Describe the requirements of frog products.
• Compare diets of tadpoles to those of frogs

3
Questions?
4
Species that are used in production

• Bullfrog most popular species for commercial
  production
• Adults may be 8 inches long and weigh as much as
  2 lbs

5
Habitat of frogs

• Native to the US east of the Rocky Mountains
• Shorelines of marshes, swamps, creeks, rivers,
  lakes and ponds.

6
Seedstock and breeding

• Tadpole ponds can be stocked with wild-caught or
  commercial frogs
• Bullfrogs lay eggs in shallow water during March
  and June
• Eggs hatch in 4 days up to 3 weeks depending on
  temperature
• Under cultural operations, tadpoles need constant
  aeration

7
Culture Method

• Metamorphosis from tadpole to frog, 5 months-2
  years.
• see life-cycle chart in text.
• Adult bullfrogs only eat live, moving food
• 1/4 to 1/2 pound market weight may require a year
• Need separate ponds for tadpoles and adults

8
Culture Methods cont.

• Ponds should be shallow, but provide food,
  shelter and hibernation areas
• Tadpole ponds should have high algal production
• Carnivorous fish must be removed from pond
• Ponds must be fenced with a top to reduce
  predators

9
Stocking Rate

• 1 inch frog length per gallon of water

10
Feeding

• Tadpoles fed indirectly by algae growth through
  pond fertilization
• Adult frogs must have moving food, such as
  earthworms, flies, crickets and other living
  frogs
• Some producers feed artificial diets

11
Diseases

• Hot weather increases chance of diseases
• Producers must regularly inspect, disinfect
  facilities and cull sick frogs

12
Harvesting

• Frogs are harvested by hand, hook, net or spear

13
Processing and Marketing

• Whole live frogs can be sold for research
• Hind legs are marketed to restaurants