Metamorphosis

[karen]

My 2 maculatum are still quite young (less than a month old) but I noticed the larger one has small hind leg buds. Both have tiny front legs.
I've read these guys take anywhere from 2 months to a year to become adults. When do I need to start providing a land area? Do I wait until the hind legs are developed?
Right now there is some floating elodea in the tank but no actual land area.

 

[joan]

After they've developed hind legs, and you see their gills starting to get smaller, you should provide them something solid to crawl out on. I would also reduce their water level (if it's not already fairly shallow) when they show signs of morphing.

 

[karen]

My larva are now about 6 weeks old. They have well developed legs and have just recently started getting more pigment in (they now have two faint lines of pale spots). They've been spending more time at the surface - although they still swim off when I walk by. I've been looking at their gills carefully - they don't seem to be getting smaller yet.
Any idea how close they may be to metamorphosis? I'm also having problems with the blackworms hiding under the rock I put in the tank for a land area.

 

[joan]

Karen, you can put the blackworms in a dish, or put the island on stilts. I have a large island that I put on lego stilts (just make sure you brace it well). They're probably getting close. Once they have back legs and the gills start to shrink, they'll be well on their way.