I have written about this phenomenon before in Competitive Edge. As newly formed frogs emerge from the water they emit a hormone that inhibits the growth of tadpoles still in the water (it helps eliminate any competition for food). This hormone can build up in the water, after quite a few frogs have crawled out and the water level has dropped due to evaporation and the likes, and you can end up with taddies that seem to stay tadpoles for a year or more.

Before I knew about this little trick I had some tadpoles in my pond which had been there forever, so I bought them inside and put them in a fish tank to watch them and figure out why they weren’t growing. But within a week they all sprouted legs and started losing their tails. I quickly transferred them back outside and they continued on their journey through life. I wanted to know why so I did some research and that is when I learnt about the inhibiting hormone. I guessed it was the change of water which had the desired effect.

I advised Tim to try changing his water in his ponds, but he says he has already tried that. I wasn’t able to suggest anything else to help him with his problem.

Can anyone out their help Tim?