How fast do Chinese Firebelly Newts hatch and then grow ?

[ltoloxa]

g'day,

I haven't had Chinese Firebelly Newts before and I am wondering how fast they normally hatch and how much they normally grow in a week. I got the eggs on the 11/11/12 and today the last one did finally hatch (size 8mm). some were already hatched on the 11/11/12 but until today they are not bigger than max. 30mm (or 1.18 in) I feed them every day with fresh hatched brine shrimps. they do eat, they all have orange bellies after each meal but somehow they do not really grow. the water temperature in the box is 17.5 °C (or 63.5 °F), could that be a problem, is the water too cold ? or am I just spoiled by the speed Axolotle grow ?

thank you for your help.

 

[wargar]

Hi,

That temp is well within the acceptable range. Mine normally take about 3 months from hatching to morphing, depending on food avaliability and seasonal temps. I always think the bigger I can get them to grow before morphing the better as they will be more sturdy.

Can you get different live foods ideally bloodworm, daphnia or tubifex as again I find a good choice of food encourages them to put on weight.

When mine are getting near to morphing I lower the water level (2 - 3 inches) and ensure they have plenty of plants breaking the surface, and easy access to cork islands.

Dave

 

[ltoloxa]

thank you Dave, will start to give them different food then

cheers,
steve w.