Aggression in Paramesotriton

M

mark

Guest
Hi again, I recently got 3 Paramesotriton, I am not sure what kind yet, but when I get a picture, I will show you guys. Anyways, the other day I put in 2 little pieces of chopped up earthworm in the tank, they all came struting out and were hunting for the worm. One of them bumped into the other, and he got a temper and started biting legs and, the other one did the same thing back. I read that aggression is common in Paramesotriton, but if can be avoided, should it? like should I break them up? or just let them do their wild things? Thanks.
 
Mark,

I have two P. Hongkongensis, and they get along great, I don't know what kind you have but after reading what livingunderworld.org has to say about them that some of the species do get really aggressive, especially around breeding season. Try looking on there to find out more information about your paramesotriton.
 
Seperrate them! I have had similar problems and was advised to seperrate them by others on this forum. Apparently aggression can lead to death. Beware, in some species males are aggressive even to females out side of the breeding season. I've also found that paramesotriton are much more aggressive feeders than other newts. I hand feed them whole live earth worms because I find that large amounts of smaller food items, such as frozen blood worms are eaten over a longer period of time, thus causing feeding aggression to last longer, the also can mix in with the gravel and paramesotriton are good at up rooting plants while searching for food. By hand feeding I ensure every newt gets its fair share. Recently I made a feeding cage for them so that the newt that is feeding is safe from others, when I put it in the tank the newts eagerly swim into it because they know what it means, I doubt it causes them any stress.
 
I would watch them and see. My fuzhonmgensis will grab each other when feeding, but do not bother each other territorially. I f you notice animals being chased and snapped at tround the tank, or fighting occuring outside of feeding times, you definately need to watch out.
If you notice aggression not linked to food, remove the aggressor (unless it is also attemptining to breed with a feamle) as removing the bullied will cause the stress of a new habitat to be added to the stress of bullying.
The best thing to do when feeding aggressive feeders is to cut chunks of lobworm, and offer them to each animal in quick succession. They usually grab each other when one has food and the other doesn't,,so if the all have food in theior mouths it tends to avoid 'jealousy'. If you use small food itmes, such as bloodworm, try putting it in separate piles or spreading it over a wider area (but not so thinly spread as to prevent them finding it) rather than one big pile, and guiding the newts to take different piles/areas. This will only work if the newts are very tame.
If the fights are feeding re;lated, don't bother to split them up unless one animal starts to try to eat the other (eg swallowing the tail) or is causing damage to the other. They usually realise that their tank mate is a bit too big to eat and let go.
Interestingly, I have found that Paramesotriton will be very tame and aggressive feeders in their first setup after being bought from the pet trade, but once they are moved they become very shy and much poorer feeders, relying more on sight than smell, and require a lot of tme and effort to regain their trust.
As I said, keep an eye out for bullying, but don't worry about feeding frenzies.
Chris
 
Ben,
I would love to see your feeding cage that you made. Maybe I can make one and use it for my voracious P waltl
lol.gif
 
Well it's actually not meant to be a cage, it's one of those pots for pond plants. It's made out of plastic and has tons of little holes in it. You'ld need a really big one for a pleuro but they do sell them in large sizes. To use it just put it in the tank and make it so that the rim is above the surface and then pick up an eager newt, place it inside, and feed it. After feeding I take it out and put the next newt in and feed it, after I'm completely done I take the "cage" out of the aquarium.
 
Thanks all, The newts are only aggresive during feeding time, and are very "nice" to each other after that. I think they will be fine if I keep them toghether.So, my solution is to feed them each a worm seperatly, and keep them in the same tank, thanks a bunch again, and keep watching this post for pictures.
 
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