Significance of initial weight of post-metamorphosis froglets for growth and fattening of Rana perezi Seoane, 1885, raised in captivity

In rearing the American bullfrog (R. catesbeiana) in captivity, account is taken of the size of the froglets in order to achieve good survival rates and homogenous batches after fattening. The present study investigates the survival and several growth and food utilization parameters for three batches of Rana perezi froglets, differing one from another in terms of the animals' starting weight. The results show that animals starting at a weight of 0.89 to 1.10 g show the best combination of the parameters analysed, and that the smallest (weights around 0.77 g) should be excluded when considering raising the Iberian green frog in captivity.