Help with metamorphosis

[karen]

I have 2 spotted larva, and just today I noticed that the gills have shrunk dramatically on one - just a few little stubs - while the other's gills are still large and feathery.
They are both still lying on the bottom, no interest in getting out of the water.
I'm just wondering how long they will probably take to leave the water, and if there is anything I can do to make it easier or less stressful on them. I would like both to survive.

 

[pamela]

Hi Karen,

Put something for them to climb out on when they are ready to get out of the water. (It sounds like you need to provide something right away!) Keep the water level very low, and add a flat, easily accessible rock, or plants like java moss, and elodea (which give them a type of "land" access also).

There are a variety of foods to feed them. I feed my morphs thawed, frozen bloodworms. I feed by hand, using a tweezers. They probably won't eat for a couple of days, but you might want to offer food right away just in case.

Have fun

 

[karen]

Thanks.
I tipped the tank so there was an area with very shallow water. After about a day, he decided to spend all his time up there so I moved him into a little plastic container with paper towels and about 1/8" of water. I hope that's ok. Does he need to have an area where he can get completely out of the water?
I put some blackworms in there for him to eat, but if he doesn't eat in another day I'll try the bloodworms.
The other salamander who's the same age still has full gills.

 

[pamela]

Hello Karen,

Your little guy is getting a lot of good attention!

I would not recommend tipping the tank. They are engineered to lay flat. Tipping may cause stress on tank areas that could cause leaks.

I would provide a definite land area. If the little one gets tired, he might drown (?).

I have only raised Cynops orientals (Chinese Fire Belly) newts to morphdom. You say that you have a "spotted" larvae. Are you referring to the N.v.v. or another kind of sal? That would help folks on the forum to know what species they are dealing with. You will then get experienced forum folk re: that species to help you out.

 

[Jennewt]

With only a little bit of water (and a small tank), I'd say it's OK to tip the tank, as long as it's well supported on the raised side.

After morph, it may take several days until they begin to eat. They may be unwilling to go back into water to eat. If so, you'll need very small crickets or pieces of cut up worm or other small moving food.

 

[karen]

When I said spotted I meant spotted salamander (A. maculatum), although I'm not sure - they don't have any markings yet.
The 'tank' I've been using for the larva is actually just a big plastic bin and I only have a little water, a gallon or two, in the bottom so I think it's ok.

The morph is still alive and looks ok. He's very skittish, so I havn't seen him eat, although I found a dropping once. The blackworms seem to do ok and stay alive just on the damp paper towels so there's no need for the salamander to go in the water to eat.