2006-2007 Breeding Season

[jewett]

My 50th Cp larva morphed out this morning, and I have about 4 more to go.Earlier in the year I sent off several dozen Cp larvae to other newt lovers in other states. I also have 10 Maa larvae that I got from Jen Macke as eggs that, though none have morphed yet, they seem pretty close to losing those gills. This is my first year of ever raising newts from eggs (also my first year of having newts even breed) and I am pretty pleased with the results so far. I feel my knowledge of newts has increased with this experience and I also have ideas of what I want to do differently next season. So how have all of you done? Good success, some disappoinments, things you have learned and will change for next year? Lets hear about it!

 

[Jake]

Well, I have 5 morph C.pyrrhogaster from the larvae I recieved from Heather Jewett. There are still over a dozen to go. I have about 30 larval C.p.kanto from Jennifer Macke along with 3 larvae and one morphed M.a.apuanus. I had a N.strauchii larva from an egg I recieved from Jen as well, but the tub fell into an axolotl tank, and that was the end of him/her. Other than that, I've raised about 1,100 axolotls up until they were between 2 and 7 inches long. I'm already planning for next year as all of my newts were just maturing this year, and next season should be very busy. I'm downsizing on my axolotl colonies (I currently have over 70 adults now) and changing my set-up a bit to supply housing for next years newt larvae to make tub maintenance a bit faster.

 

[Jennewt]

I have had good success with breedings from C. pyrrhogaster, C. cyanurus, T. marmoratus, and M. alpestris apuanus this year. The marmoratus were a surprise, as I only have a single pair, and they produced a grand total of zero eggs in 2006 (the female never went in the water and I was afraid she was in poor health); this year they produced a slow steady stream of eggs from December to now.

Neurergus strauchii have been a different story. 2006 was a stellar year for them. This year, they produced about 100 good eggs, which unfortunately perished after hatching. Then there was a heat wave that stopped their egg laying completely (important lesson learned!!). After a few weeks of being cold again, they produce some more eggs, but most turned out to be infertile. So Jacob unfortunately got a mostly infertile batch. I believe that there won't be any strauchii being sold this year in the US; I haven't heard of anyone else breeding them yet.

 

[lilsoul]

I did good with my N.V.Louisianensis I have 30 morphs about 40 larve to go all morphs are aquatic they refuse to leave the water but there parents never do either.

 

[John]

I actually have salamanders again after a near 2 year gap and a continent change. I think that's progress.

PS: To those who kept trying to talk me into taking newts: Thank you for the encouragement and offers!

 

[Ed]

My C. cyanurus have begun laying eggs including 2.1 animals that were imports into the country several years ago.
I have been getting eggs from my Pseudobranchus a. axanthus but I think the blackworms I use to feed them have been attacking the eggs (yesterday I sat and watched a blackworm penetrate a C. cynaurus egg.
If I am going to have any luck with the Tylototritons it won't be until later this year.

Ed