Hongkongensis traits

[gord]

I've had two hongkongensis for about a month now. They've been in a heavily planted tank with no filter or moving water.My newts seemed very uncomfortable with any current.

These newts do a few things I've never seen other from species. I often find them snoozing in the grass right at the surface of the water. Eyes closed and apparently out of it. Very unusual. The newts eat very well and have both shed since I got them. One did not eat its skin.

Is this sleeping thing normal for these newts? Also,I've had them at about 66-68 F. Its winter here in Ontario so I assume having the tank a bit cooler is ok. But I've also read hongkongensis might need warmer water. True?

Also,any PH information for these newts?

I haven't sexed them yet but one has a tail that looks much shorter then the other one. Male?

I also now realize they are going to need a larger tank then the 10 gallon they are in now.

My wife will be thrilled.

Thanks,

Gord

 

[andy]

Hi Gord, all the Hongkongs i've kept do the same thing with the sleeping, and yes, they do look well out of it when asleep!
I've bred these newts a lot of times and in the winter i let the water go very very cold, they'll breed in fairly cold water too. I wouldn't say they need to be in warmer water though

 

[gord]

Andy:

How many Hongkongensis do you have, and in how large a tank?

How big are your newts? What is the sex ratio you have and how do they get along? So far, my two newts are very good together.I hear they can be aggressive however. Do the males get the shiny tail when it's breeding time?

GE

 

[jennifer]

Hongkongensis are the sleepiest newts I've ever seen. I have kept them in both soft (pH 6.5-7) and hard (pH 7.5-8) water, and they have done fine both ways. I don't know what kind of water is more natural for them.

 

[andy]

Hi there, the males are very aggressive but not the females in my experience. I don't keep these animals at the moment but have kept them in groups of one male and two to three females in a tank 30" long x 16" wide. My females were big plump newts and the males are a bit smaller however i only ever see very small males and females for sale.
The males do get shiny tails a bit like T.Cristatus males in the breeding season though my males have always retained the white stripe on their tails year round.
I'd say the males have shorter and deeper tails than females

(Message edited by andrew on January 21, 2006)

 

[gord]

Andy:

Do you suspect the hongkongensis for sale these days are CB? The two I bought were young, and as it turns out probably sub adult. In reading some of the archived stuff on the Cynops forum, it sounds like wild hongkongensis are protected. Are there commercial paramesotriton breeders out there?

Gord

 

[andy]

Hi Gord, i think at least 90% of these animals are wildcaught to be honest, i see various Paramesotriton for sale all the time.

 

[paul]

Hi!

<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1>Andy Baker wrote on Saturday, 21 January, 2006 - 21:09 :</font>

"i think at least 90% of these animals are wildcaught "<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>

I think all in the pet shops are wildcaught!

Paul

(Message edited by Paul_b on January 21, 2006)

 

[andy]

Yes Paul, i think your right