Ambystoma andersoni (not an axolotl)

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Amazing animals! I've been waiting for a breeder in the US to produce some of these salamanders. I do have a thing for neotenic salamanders. I knew Micheal Shrom was on it! I do wonder what the lifespan of a morphed individual is. Maybe like Axolotls?

 

[michael]

NIce job. That is a creative idea using the mop head.

The spawning mop is the same type Killi fish breeders use. It is made by wrapping yarn around a book, cutting the yarn off the book, and tying it in the middle. I usually tie the mop to a piece of cork bark or a styrofoam ball.

Another good spawning mop for smaller salamanders can be made by cutting slits in plastic bags and tying them to a rock.

 

[Otterwoman]

See here for how to make the plastic strips:

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/eggstrips.shtml

 

[michael]

See here for how to make the plastic strips:

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/eggstrips.shtml

I have to be difficult but I don't do it that way. I'm a stickler for being certain everything I use in my tank is safe. I like to use zip lock bags and cut them up. They are made for food. Garbage bags are made for garbage. It probably doesn't make a difference but I like to err on the side of caution. I also only use marine safe or food safe garden hoses for water changes. I heard a horror story of a major zoo setting up a big dart frog exhibit. They used a new garden hose to put water in the exhibit. All of the frogs died.

My guess is garbage bags don't have the same quality standards as food bags. Some garbage bags have additives to kill odor .....

 

[electronfusion]

The spotted black and orange pattern on these guys is so striking. Beautiful.

Has anyone thought of/tried breeding one of these with an axolotl? Maybe an axolotl with one of the color morphs? Forgive me if I'm postulating something totally unethical. Though it seems that they have the same habitat requirements and all, which is more than can be said for axolotls and tigers (which morph). From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I wonder what cool colors and patterns could emerge from a hybridization like that. I also wonder if a hybrid could combine positive health attributes from both and possibly be stronger, bigger, or longer-living?

I wonder if Michael Shrom has any comments on this idea?

 

[michael]

The spotted black and orange pattern on these guys is so striking. Beautiful.

Has anyone thought of/tried breeding one of these with an axolotl? Maybe an axolotl with one of the color morphs? Forgive me if I'm postulating something totally unethical.

I wonder if Michael Shrom has any comments on this idea?

People still go on about that one tiger salamander embryo that was spliced to make one of the types of albino axolotls. According to some that one spliced cross has polluted most of the axolotl stock in captivity. I think we have plenty to work with crossing the genes that are already available in axolotls. I have no interest in crossing Ambystoma andersoni and Ambystoma mexicanum. Some work has been done with this for scientific work and I think that is where it should stay. I prefer to keep my andersoni and mexicanum well separated.

 

[Mac Myers]

I agree with Michael on the Breeding issue. It's a no no in my book.

Also...I used to purchase various types and sizes of high and low density plastic bags, extrusions, and tubing by the container load. I can assure you that there are differences in the chemical composition as well as the handling of these products. It's wise to stick to food grade products.

 

[whiteanddickson]

That's a beautiful animal!

 

[michael]

Very nice photos Michael. I'm curious about the proportion of metamorphs you have - how likely is one to metamorphose?

What I have been hearing from other breeders is metamorphosis is more likely to happen than with Ambystoma mexicanum. Preliminary observations indicate that about 10% of c.b. Ambystoma andersoni metamorphose in the U.S. It is not clearly understood why this happens. It seems poor water quality and heavy diet can influence metamorphosis. More data is needed.