I recently got hold of a terrific frog fact sheet developed by Perth Zoo and Millennium Kids Inc with students from South Perth Primary School (2007). It is called 10 steps to creating a Frog-friendly garden.
It is full of good instructions for making easy frog ponds from baths and buckets and useful tips on location and design. It really encourages the use of natives in all things to do with your frog pond, from the water plants, to the plants surrounding your pond, to the fish you put in your pond.
I got my copy from the SERCUL exhibit at the Garden Show, but I’m sure you can get one from the Perth Zoo. If you come across one, grab it! It’s a very good information source.
The one thing I got from it that I wanted to comment on was the Native fish species that are quoted as being great for controlling mosquito populations, and are frog and tadpole friendly.
Native Fish Species
Western Pygmy Perch (Edelia vittata)
I have so far found it quite easy to source these fish. They do seem to be very popular at the moment. Most places sell them as soon as they get them but they are easy to find. A couple of good sources are Exotic Tropical Fish at Unit 5/1 Dellamarta Road, Wangara. Also try Water Garden World at 2 Erindale Road, Balcatta.
Western Minnow (Galaxis occidentalis)
I have not been able to find a reliable source of this fish. I’m not sure if the fish wholesalers actually stock them.
Swan River Goby (Pseudogobius olorum)
This fish is only occassionally available to the fish shops. They will try to get them in but the supply is not as constant as with the Western Pygmy Perch.
One thing I did learn from this quick bit of research was that the reason these fish are frog-friendly is because they are small or have small mouths and so aren’t physically able to eat the frog sqawn or small tadpoles.
You may be able to persuade your local pet shop to order you one of these species of fish to save you the leg work. Give it a go! My local, Subiaco Tropical Fish and Bird Store, were very willing to help. Let me know how you get on.
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i’ve just moved up to darwin and am making a water garden to grow lotus, but the mozzie situation has me breeding wrigglers. What fish should i put into my pond will eat the wrigglers AND be frog friendly (ie not eat the tadpoles?)
cheers
b
Hi Belinda, I hope you got my email. I am having better luck with my server now so I thought I would publish a reply here as well. My advice is to visit your local pet/fish shops and watergarden shops and ask the people there for advice. They have more local knowledge and will be able to help with the cane toad problem as well. Thanks for visiting my site. Lisa
Well…..I agree with most of the things you said. Anyway, thanks!
A pleasure to come to your site. Thnks very much!