<i>Pachyhynobius shangchengensis</i> in U.S.

[michael]

I'm putting plastic fence on the top with 3/4" holes. It's mostly to keep the bullfrogs and dragon flies out. The barrels are 40 gallon but not filled to the top. I'm not filtering. I'll mostly depend on plants and some water changes. Water hyacinth and shade should cool it some. I don't think those chubby long salamanders will be able to climb to high on the side of the barrel.

 

[chris]

If I'm right in thinking they come from habitat like Pachytriton - flowing well-oxygenated streams (which their morphology and aggression suggest) will they not need some sort of filtration?
Good luck with them!
Chris

 

[michael]

So far I've gotten by with cool water and low flow. Outside is no flow. I think the plants should do to filter the water and add oxygen. Some water treatment plants actually use aquatic plants to clean water. I've also heard it is always cooler under water hyacinth than on the water surface. Heat is my main concern.

Last summer I had success hatching and raising crested newts in a barrel out back with only occasionally feeding.

 

[erik]

some recent pics of my Pachyhynobius:

 

[paris]

erik-can you sex yours? any clues on doing so?

 

[erik]

Yeah they are pretty easily sexed by head shape. Mature males have bigger heads, seems like the more dominant males have the biggest heads. The first 2 pics above are males. I will take some comparison shots soon.

 

[michael]

A male with a big head is obvious. I had problems with some that seem to have a head that isn't real skinny but isn't real fat. I'm guessing they might be immature males or males that are not the alpha male. I couldn't tell any difference by looking at their vents. They are real squirmy to work with.

 

[TJ]

The head shape and "expression" on that male in the 2nd of the last 4 pics is really cool. I'm starting to see why these animals have a bit of a following, though the aggression still puts me off...

Looking forward to those comparison shots!