Breeding Pattletailed newts

[goux]

I have just recently gotten a pair of pattletail newts, and would like to know how and if they breed in captivity. Also, the person at the store were i got them told me that they should be housed in a gravel or rock bottom aquarium with a swift current. Is this true?

 

[goux]

Also, does anybody know the latin or scientific name for this species?

 

[babamba]

I don't know if they are commonly bred. gravel/rocks on the bottom is fine and they do like current.

scientific name is:
pachytriton labiatus
p. briveps
p. a
p. b
p. c
p. ?

 

[kai]

Hi Goux,

you can see a guarding Pachytriton at http://www.agurodela.de/ and check out http://www.agurodela.de/arten/taxonomie_biologie_pachytriton.php for pics of the currently recognised species (some of them still undescribed).

No, you don't need swift current: Pachytriton inhabit streams but they seem to prefer microhabitats with slow current. A good filter and some current is important though since the eggs develop slowly and good water quality is important.

They definitely can be bred in captivity. However, you need low temperatures (below 10 °C) to induce breeding conditions and the eggs are laid when the temperatures slowly rise again. After metamorphosis, the juveniles seem to be a bit difficult, especially if they don't stay in the water. Only more experiences will tell us which conditions the juveniles of each of the Pachytriton spp. really need.

Best wishes,
kai

 

[chris]

How big are paddle tailed newts when they are sexually mature?

 

[kai]

Hi Chris,

depends on the species but I guess at least 10 cm. It's pretty evident with males (bluish spots on the tail, swollen cloaca).

Best wishes,
kai

 

[chris]

What's the best way to keep p. labiatus eggs?
Chris

 

[nate]

Chris, have you managed to get eggs?

 

[chris]

Nate. I have got 5 eggs of p.labiatus. I have heard about parents guarding eggs, but she seems unconcerned about the male eating them even though I feed them plenty of food. For this reason I have removed eggs to a separate tank.
I got them to breeding condition almost as soon I got them home. I housed them in a small tank with no current and temps around 18oC, then moved them to a a 3ft stream setup, and the male chased the female until she let him breed.
I am planning to buy another female. Is this a good idea. The current two are akay, but the male is more dominant. There are no signs of stress in the tank at all.
Chris

 

[kai]

Chris,

You did got my answer re your email, didn't you?

Female guarding seems to be essential for much of the longish development of the eggs - so try to reintroduce the female to the eggs! You could try to use a plastic mesh to protect the eggs for a few hours while she settles down in the separate tank for egg raising.

Best wishes,
kai

 

[nate]

Congrats Chris, paddletails have rarely been bred so far. Perhaps yours were already in condition from the wild, but it's a very cool occurence nonetheless. Hope they breed for you next year too. What country are you in, btw?

About the eggs...I disagree with Kai (though he may very well be right) about introducing the female back to the eggs. I think if she's already abandoned them, she might very well eat them under the stress of a new tank. I'd say it's a 50/50 chance either way, but I'd keep them seperate because I've had good success rearing eggs seperately from species that normally guard eggs.

Good luck, and keep us posted. Take pictures if you can.

 

[chris]

Hi Nate. My paddle tails are captive bred. They weren't in breed mode when I got them, so I guess it was just pure skill ... hehehe.
I am in England.
The eggs haven't developed much yet - one or two are looking slightly "Rugby ball" shaped. I don't have digital camera and Caudata does not seem to allow Internet Explorer 5 to upload - so I will just have to describe the development. Thanks for the info
Chris

 

[nate]

Lucky you eh? Here in the US, no one is breeding Pachytritons yet, or if they are, they are not making it known. Good luck with the eggs!

 

[anonymous]

i work at a petstore and we carry lots of Pachytritons! we're in eastern connecticut

 

[nate]

Yes, paddletails are quite common in petstores here in the US. I meant that no one here breeds them yet.

 

[chris]

Hi, its Chris again. Do you think my pair of p.labiatus would get on ok with another female?

 

[nate]

You never can tell Chris with P. labiatus. You just have to watch closely for aggression.