55 gallon Eastern newt tank

[Chinadog]

Is the Wisteria Hygrophila difformis? I never have much luck with it either. It seems to never grow any new leaves and slowly disappears, or quickly grows up into the terrestrial faze and then goes crazy above the water line.

 

[slowfoot]

Is the Wisteria Hygrophila difformis? I never have much luck with it either. It seems to never grow any new leaves and slowly disappears, or quickly grows up into the terrestrial faze and then goes crazy above the water line.

Yep, and that's the same problem I have with it. Strangely, I set up a tank at my parents' house using the exact same equipment and techniques and their wisteria went nuts and took over the tank. I think it might be a water chemistry issue.

 

[slowfoot]

Well, got the 'teenage' tank growing pains: algae, fungus on driftwood, some plants not doing as well as I hoped, others doing too well. I rearranged things a bit and raised the water level by 6 inches or so. The females started to lay, so I also removed the males.

I've also had a wierd ramshorn snail die off. Not sure what is causing it. The micro creatures - limpets, hydras, cyclops - all seem unaffected and water parameters are fine

 

[Chinadog]

It still looks lovely. I have mostly greater pond snails in my T. verrucosus corner tank, but there has still been die offs from time to time. I put it down to the weird blue/green algae that seemed to bloom and bust on the newly set up wood and cork bark being poisonous, but I don't know for sure.

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

Did any eastern newt eggs hatch?

 

[slowfoot]

Did any eastern newt eggs hatch?

I don't think these will hatch because they are laid by one of the younger females and always seem infertile. But they haven't fuzzed over yet either, so who knows... I will definitely have hatching eggs once the older females start laying, though.

I added more snails and they seem alive so far

 

[slowfoot]

The snails seem fine now.

Many more eggs have been laid and these are fertile. The larvae should slip soon I am going to make an actual effort this year to raise as many as I can. Which means something will probably go horribly wrong.

I will also probably have some eggs available to ship soon. I'll post an ad when they're ready. They are not a good choice for beginners.

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

They are not a good choice for beginners.

What's crazy is people who keep fish have no problems with this species and have them no problem. And the people who actually keep them alone actually have trouble with them!

 

[Asevernnnn]

What's crazy is people who keep fish have no problems with this species and have them no problem. And the people who actually keep them alone actually have trouble with them!

Its because they morph very small and have the urge to go terrestrial, its basically the same problem as H. orientalis morphs, aquatic adults aren't that difficult to raise

 

[Chinadog]

Its because they morph very small and have the urge to go terrestrial, its basically the same problem as H. orientalis morphs, aquatic adults aren't that difficult to raise

There also seems to be problems that can manifest a good way down the line with this species. They can appear healthy for long periods, but then drop dead for reasons that are unclear. There were a lot of them imported over here a few years back, I didn't buy any, but I know a few people that did and I don't know of any that lasted beyond eighteen months or so, even with seemingly correct care. Personally, I only know of one person who has kept them long term in good health here in he UK and it's fair to say he's an accomplished expert when it comes to newt keeping.

 

[HunterB]

Man this tank is perfection in my eyes

 

[slowfoot]

Man this tank is perfection in my eyes

Thanks

I have to say, though, that it's a little sad looking right now. I've been letting the algae grow pretty much unchecked and floaters have taken over the surface. There are a ton of teeny larvae swimming around in there right now and they appreciate the extra cover.

I also had to swap out some of the plants in the riparium planters: the high humidity was just too much for the sweet flag and ferns. I've filled in the empty spots with some large anubias and swords. They are doing much better. I'll post a pic later if I can get it cleaned up enough.

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

Thanks

I have to say, though, that it's a little sad looking right now. I've been letting the algae grow pretty much unchecked and floaters have taken over the surface. There are a ton of teeny larvae swimming around in there right now and they appreciate the extra cover.

Looks like you have some extra mouths to feed can't wait until all species offered for sale are CB!

 

[slowfoot]

I should update this thread... But, frankly the tank is a disaster mess right now - really living up to the name 'swamp'. My husband shudders when he walks past it

I just don't want to risk cleaning it right now because of all the larvae. They enjoy having an algae jungle to hang out in. I'm still moving as many newly hatched larvae out as I can, but the older siblings are much more wary, so I think they're staying.

 

[Chinadog]

I'm having the same problem in my C. pyrrhogaster tank at the moment. Its really dark and over grown with Elodea and Bacopa but Its covered in eggs and larvae. Each time I do a water change I have to strain it through a net because its impossible not to suck up a few babies when I'm cleaning up the bottom.

 

[slowfoot]

Some teeny tinies hiding out in the algae jungle:

 

[Chinadog]

They are very young larvae, aren't they? They're the ones that are hardest to see at water change time.

 

[Cliygh and Mia]

Man, I wish I had some newts... I'm missing all the fun! But seriously, North American newts are my favorites, beside Chinese fire-bellies