Colorado tiger salamander neoteny/paedomorphs/branchiate adults

[Goldielox13]

Okay so I have several questions about my tiger salamander. I think he is trying to metamorph right now but I’m not 100% sure. He keeps popping his snout out of water and he’s been chillin close to the water surface a lot. He’s about 7 1/2” last I tried to measure him. His markings are getting darker and his head is starting to look more lizard like. I was hoping he would retain his larval traits and become neotenic or go through paedomorphosis instead of metamorphosis. I just love his lil fearthery Gills of a headdress and his lil tummy and limbs when he swims is so adorable. i also hear that neotonic tiger salamanders live longer than terrestrial land dwelling adult tigers? says up to 20 years in captivity as long as there’s no predatory fish around, and there’s plenty of food without competition.

 

[Goldielox13]

Here’s some more photos of him In all his adorableness. Does he look normal to y’all? I did see him have this weird slimy looking strings hanging off his toes a few weeks back and now it’s gone? I’m about to move him back into the bigger aquarium so he has more swimming room and leg room to scoot around. But anyways Ive never owned a tiger salamander larvae before so I’m just trying to make sure I do the best for him to survive and thrive in captivity. he eats bloodworms right from my fingers and he eats a lot except the last two days hes not inhaled his bloodworms as much as he normally does and even left some behind. Could that mean he’s sick or maybe metamorphing? sorry I know this is a lot of questions but I need to know. thank you all! have a great day!