Question: Collossal paddletail?

[pinkspore]

Yesterday I picked up a free craigslist newt because I am a sucker. Over email the kid told me he thought it was a C. orientalis. I had a C. pyrrhogaster several years ago that I dearly loved, and I was looking forward to having another squiggly little firebelly.

This is what he gave me:

It looks like a paddletail newt, the tail is the right shape and it looks like some of the Pachytriton labiatus pictures, but it is a full 9 inches long. Most of the posts I've read about P. labiatus say they are usually 6-7 inches long. Do they usually get this big? Do they occasionally get this big? Good grief, look at the size of this thing!

 

[tmarmoratus]

Looks like a giant female labiatus to me

 

[froggy]

From what FrogEyes has said about Pachytriton, the smaller animals in the pet trade are actually P. granulosus. This large animal is probably what used to be called P, labiatus, but has now been renamed (Pach. labiatus is now Paramesotriton labiatus, replacing Para. ermizhaoi, as the original specimens were Paramesotriton, now Pachytriton - there is another thread on this). So this animal will be one of the newly described species (Pach. inexpectatus, Pach. moi or the other one beginning with 'f').

It's care will be the same as for any Pachytriton (cool, flowing water with rocky hides)

Looks like a lovely animal,

C

 

[pinkspore]

She really is a gorgeous animal, the kids love her because she is active and enormous. I had a tank all set up for a C. orientalis but after removing a few hides and raising the water level it looks like it will be sufficient.

Is there any chance I'll be able to figure out what species she is now with the reorganization of the Pachytriton genus?

 

[froggy]

Make sure the tank has some water flow and is well oxygenated (these are stream newts, rather than pond newts like the orientalis).

This thread http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-.../77169-two-new-pachytriton-species-china.html

deals with the recent changes to the species in the genus. The paper describes the species that 'labiatus' has become, but is quite technical. It also may not be possible while the animal is alive! Also, as it says in this paper, there is at least one undescribed species in the pet trade. I think the best you will be able to do is Pachytriton moi/P. feii group.

C

 

[pinkspore]

She's in a 10G with a Whisper 10i in tank filter that pours out about 2" above the water level. Do you think I should add an airstone or a powerhead for more water movement?

 

[Azhael]

I´d upgrade the animal to a larger tank, that´s a big Pachytriton. 20 gallons would be much better.
A larger space will also allow you to provide a variety of hiding places which are very important for these newts as they are territorial and like to hide and stalk.
A powerhead would be best since they like currents. An airstone would barely move the water, you need something stonger.

 

[Jennewt]

The genus Pachytriton used to be so simple, sigh.

Newts continue to grow for their whole lives, so old animals can reach surprising sizes.

 

[pinkspore]

Here are a few more shots of her newtliness being enormous.

Can't seem to find anyone in real life who knows enough about paddletails to marvel at her size. I'm hoping Open House night brings in some interested parents.