Tadpoles are aggressive eaters because of their rapid growth rate, and one of their favorite foods is algae that grows in pond water and along rocks. As they develop, tadpoles start to consume many microscopic water bugs, such as amoebae, fleas and rotifer.
For older tadpoles, insect larvae makes a great feast. Mosquitoes often lay eggs in pond water that become larvae that the growing tadpoles feast upon. Mature tadpoles on the verge of transitioning into their amphibian state also eat very small freshly hatched fish. Larger tadpoles may also eat smaller tadpoles if they struggle to find an ample food supply.