Carnifex cresting questions...

[SludgeMunkey]

The Triturus carnifex eggs I got a few years back hatched out well. After trading off most of the results, I kept a few for myself.

I ended up with one male and two females.

The male started cresting up this week. I wasn't sure if it was really happening or if it was my imagination.

As this is my first foray into Euro newts, I was curious as to how long it normally takes them to reach full crest.

This fellow has added1.5mm to his dorsal crest in 7 days. His tail "crest" developed first and is still growing.

Anyone offer some insight? I am very excited to try my hand at working with this species.

 

[Azhael]

Congrats
If this is his first season as an adult the crest may not develop beyond 3-4 mm. The cristatus complex, in captivity, tends to have an early breeding cycle for males after metamorphosis, when they develop a "pubescent" look with fully adult looks but a less intense coloration and smaller secondary sexual characteristics. If they are big juveniles, sometimes they have a full on attire their first time, though.
Anyway, provided that it´s big enough and that the crest will grow large, the rate at which it grows can fluctuate a lot. If the temps get warmer or the animal is underfed, the crest can stop growing or disappear surprisingly quick (a few days). With colder temps and fatter males, the crest can get to full size in as little as two weeks. You can sometimes see visible variations from one day to another. It´s quite remarkable.

 

[ed_moyer]

Well Johnny if there the ones I sent ya. The male should have crested last year already!! They normally crest their half crests afew months after morphing!! Everybody else I sent them too, got eggs from them last year!!

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Well Johnny if there the ones I sent ya. The male should have crested last year already!! They normally crest their half crests afew months after morphing!! Everybody else I sent them too, got eggs from them last year!!

I should have gotten eggs last year, but the batch I got from you, Ed, got wiped out along with a good portion of my collection by the black worm incident. I honestly cannot even remember whose stock these guys are from- things got a bit screwy when I moved into he new house.

Either way, these guys and gals are fat dumb and happy. I suspect they will wait to actually lay eggs untill the same night all my others do. I have that luck. No eggs at all, then all specimens drop a ton the same week and stretch me far beyond capacity.

I say I am prepared for this season, but we shall see what happens.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Congrats
If this is his first season as an adult the crest may not develop beyond 3-4 mm. The cristatus complex, in captivity, tends to have an early breeding cycle for males after metamorphosis, when they develop a "pubescent" look with fully adult looks but a less intense coloration and smaller secondary sexual characteristics. If they are big juveniles, sometimes they have a full on attire their first time, though.
Anyway, provided that it´s big enough and that the crest will grow large, the rate at which it grows can fluctuate a lot. If the temps get warmer or the animal is underfed, the crest can stop growing or disappear surprisingly quick (a few days). With colder temps and fatter males, the crest can get to full size in as little as two weeks. You can sometimes see visible variations from one day to another. It´s quite remarkable.

Thanks! Currently, I am fascinated by the growth. Silly as it sounds, I have always wanted to see the complex crest, and never had the chance to do so. It makes me wish I hadn't lost my dobros and cristatus last season.