Eft issues

[Nathan050793]

After I found a few larvae in my Notophthalmus viridescens tank, I have managed to raise 5 to metamorphosis/ near morphing.

This is my distressing problem- so far two have morphed out. Out of those two, one died about 2 days after morphing. Now, the hardier one who has been morphed for almost 8 days, has died. Externally, both seemed perfectly healthy, besides being a tad slim. I couldn't tell if they were eating or not, however I had been adding baby woodlice and termites to their setup, so I assumed they had been eating them. I know sometimes that the stress of metamorphosis can cause issues, but to have two out of five already gone? Now a third has morphed and I really want to try to keep this one alive... This is my first time raising juveniles, so any advice or explanations would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[slowfoot]

I'm sorry you've lost them

What kind of set up are they in? How big are they at metamorphosis? It's really hard to tell with these guys. I think they're just incredibly fragile when they're very small.

 

[xMIDNIGHTx]

Sorry for your loss Nathan!

Although the problem may not be food alone, it may be a big factor. May I suggest wingless fruit flies as a food source.

Mitch

 

[Otterwoman]

I had springtails as a living culture in my morph's tank, and he was doing great, until he died too. I'm sure you know how hard these are to raise.

 

[slowfoot]

Sorry for your loss Nathan!

Although the problem may not be food alone, it may be a big factor. May I suggest wingless fruit flies as a food source.

Mitch

My previous (now deceased) efts never ate fruit flies when I tried them. They'd grab the flies, but spit them out immediately like they tasted bad.

eta: But you should try them. It can't hurt to have as many different kinds of food available as possible.

 

[Nathan050793]

Thanks to all of you for your sympathy- I know you all understand how much of a bummer it can be to lose morphs.

Dawn- I have been thinking about getting a starter culture for springtails from someone on the forum, I am anxious to try those. I have to say, the larvae are easy to raise...it's the efts that are challenging.

Midnight- My first food thought went to wingless fruit flies- however, I don't really have a source for them around here. I'm not so keen on ordering them online...although I could see if anyone on the forum has them if I go that direction.

Slowfoot- I'm glad you responded, as you helped answer my questions to raise these larvae. They are in a small tank on a bed of cocofiber with cork bark for hides. At morphing they were average sized for their species.

Thanks again, those were some useful thoughts.

 

[jbherpin]

Thanks to all of you for your sympathy- I know you all understand how much of a bummer it can be to lose morphs.

Dawn- I have been thinking about getting a starter culture for springtails from someone on the forum, I am anxious to try those. I have to say, the larvae are easy to raise...it's the efts that are challenging.

Midnight- My first food thought went to wingless fruit flies- however, I don't really have a source for them around here. I'm not so keen on ordering them online...although I could see if anyone on the forum has them if I go that direction.

Slowfoot- I'm glad you responded, as you helped answer my questions to raise these larvae. They are in a small tank on a bed of cocofiber with cork bark for hides. At morphing they were average sized for their species.

Thanks again, those were some useful thoughts.

Try "josh's Frogs", that's where my starter cultures came from...in 2 sizes of fly. This site deals in dart frogs mostly but can be of assistance for food prey.