Cynops Larvae

[moinkable]

I was at a local aquarium society auction today with the spouse and someone had a pair of Cynops Larvae up for sale...snagged 'em for 6 bucks . I have a pair of adults but have never done babies before. This site has lots of great resources for breeding!

However, I'm not sure what species the little guys are or how close to morphing. All I know is that they are some type of cynops and that they have been accepting frozen bloodworms. I've got a few pictures attached...the bigger of the larva is about 3.7 cm, the other is closer to 3. They've got pink little bellies with minimal markings.

So, when I move them to a permanent set up, should i assume they are about to morph and set it up mostly land? Or should I leave them in an aquatic set up with a sponge filter for another couple weeks?? Again, I have NO IDEA how old they are.

 

[Azhael]

It´s difficult to tell but i´d say they are not likely to morph soon. The limbs aren´t very thick, the belly colouration is not fully developed, etc, so although they could morph, most likely it will take them a couple of weeks or more yet.
I suposse they are like to be Hypselotriton orientalis, but you´ll know for sure once they morph.
This article may be of help:
Caudata Culture Articles - Raising Juvenile Newts

 

[moinkable]

Thank you so much for the link!! I had remembered reading that caresheet before but couldn't find it last night.

So based on your advice, I think I will put them in an aquatic set up (critter keeper) with a bare bottom, and some floating plants/java moss. Will also provide a rock for them to haul out on just in case...

A few quick q's:
- It seems most people keep larvae without filtration in a few inches of water. Since I only have two, I could also set them up in a 2 gallon tall tank with much deeper water (bare bottom, moss + floating plants) and a sponge filter. Is this a better idea than a critter keeper with no filtration and a few inches of water?

- Has anyone fed larvae cherry shrimp? We've got an active breeding colony and I think it might help them color up if I can get them to eat some shrimplets.

 

[Molch]

a good way to keep them for now is in a few inches of water with lots of plants (could be plastic if you don't have real plants). Hornwort and java moss is ideal. A sponge filter is a good idea. Also, add a few rocks or cork bark islands protruding from the water.As they mature and their lungs develop, they will want to spend more time loafing near the water surface, and the cover of plants will give them something to sit on and will make them feel secure.

Make sure the water is not too warm, as that could make them morph prematurely. I'd keep it at or below 68 F or so.

It's great they eat frozen bloodworms! You can also feed white worms, black worms, Daphnia, chopped earthworms...

 

[moinkable]

Ok one last question:

-It's not possible to overfeed these guys, right? Currently i tweezer feed them twice a day until they dont want anymore bloodworms. They usually take 2 or 3 per feeding.

I tried introducing some freeze dried shrimp bits the other night and they were a bit too buoyant for the little guys to handle. One of them went floating to the surface with a death grip on a chunk...so funny. .

 

[AngieD]

Hi moinkable, I'm afraid I don't have the expertise to advise on this one, as I'm currently raising my first fire-belly larva. Were they already eating pre-killed when you got them? I am curious as to how they would be brought onto these foods - daphnia supplies sometimes run out at my local shop, and I think it would be far more handy to get the little guy on other food.
By the way, the one gripping the food chunk sounds like it has just as much attitude as mine

 

[moinkable]

They were eating bloodworms before I got them...if you want to try to get them on non-live food, you could try tweezer feeding and wiggling the food around a bit to simulate motion. My guys seem to be a bit more interested when it's moving...but that's just speculation.

 

[wargar]

Hi,
I get mine eating frozen blood worm by mixing frozen and live blood worm about 50/50, then over a period of 2 months just reduce the amount of live to frozen until eventually it's 100% frozen. This has worked for me, I havn't tried this with daphnia but in principle it should work the same, if anything it should be easier as live daphnia lasts longer than live blood worm.
Hope this helps.
Dave

 

[AngieD]

Thanks to both of you, and apologies for the late reply. I will try to get mine on pre-killed soon

 

[moinkable]

One of my little guys morphed this morning! Yay!

 

[freya]

i would suggest to put more plants in it and to lower the water to a cm or 2/3 because morphs are known for drowning.
my cynops popei are over a year now and still no higher waterlevel than 6 cm because 1 is still not swimming but waterwalking! (also the smallest)
good luck further with your newts!