Is my newt spawning?

[louise]

Acquired four of these guys yesterday, but I'm not sure what type of paramesotriton they are. They were sold as 'dog face newts'.

<font color="ff0000">(note from moderator: I've combined your 2 threads as they were both about the same newts

-- Tim)</font>

(Message edited by TJ on March 05, 2007)

 

[louise]

As I said in my previous post, I got four of these guys yesterday. They have been very active and have done a lot of climbing around in their tank, but one in particular has spent most of its time grappling with the plants in the tank. Recently it has had 2 leaves of a plant firmly clenched between its two back legs, and I think I can see 2 black spots through the leaves. The cloaca looks a bit swollen.

The newts looked a bit thin when I picked them up yesterday, but have had 2 big meals of earthworms and bloodworms. They seem very friendly with each other.

Does this look like spawning, or is it normal behaviour for these newts?

 

[louise]

 

[cameron]

It looks like there is five eggs underneath the newt in the first picture. It does look like it is spawning.

 

[jennifer]

The first photo shows egg-laying behavior. Is the second photo another newt, or the same one shown in the first photo? The second one looks rather fat.

 

[louise]

The second one is the same newt. I have removed a leaf with three eggs stuck to it, and placed them in another tub with an airstone. Two of the four newts seem to be egg laying. I switched off the tank light for the night to give them a bit of peace. Is there anything else I should do?

I can't believe it! I only got them yesterday from the pet shop!

Am I doing the right thing for the eggs?

 

[cameron]

Lucky you!

 

[jennifer]

Have you read the articles about raising them? Sounds OK so far, just be sure the airstone is on very low, and in a sufficiently sized container: you don't want to "beat" the eggs with bubbles.

You certainly got lucky. It sometimes happens that newly-imported newts arrive already "primed" for egg laying. They have had a full yearly cycle of natural preparation while still in the wild. Getting them to do this after a year in captivity is a whole different ballgame.

 

[louise]

Thank you! I have read the article about raising larvae, and I've currently got 30 or so baby axies on the go, so it looks like I'll have a house full!

 

[chris]

they are Paramesotriton hongkongensis, by the way

good luck with them

 

[louise]

Thank you! Is it possible that the eggs laid are not fertile? Someone on another forum suggested caudates will lay their eggs if stressed, and they may not necessarily be fertile.

 

[cameron]

I think they are probably fertile. It is possible though.

 

[chris]

you will know soon enough; if they are infertile they won't develop and will simply rot. Remember that some might not be fertile, while others are - don't throw the whole batch away if the first few are infertile!

Chris