my larva is not feeding or swimming HELP!!!!

[jon]

my larva is not feeding or swimming HELP!!!!

 

[john]

Larva? Larvae? If it or they have just hatched then don't worry, they may not eat for up to 48 hours after hatching. Even then, they don't swim around much. They must have live food for the first few weeks after hatching or most will die.

 

[jonathan]

John Clare- It's into 72 hours after they hatched and they still won't swim or eat. I have a alot of Daphnia & Brine shrimp waiting for them for when they do decide to move or eat!!! I'm really worried I'm going to loose all of them!!!
Nice web site also!
Thanx Jonathan

 

[john]

Can you see yolk in the digestive tract? It should be a pale colour, either creamy or white in colour. When this is used up/disappears, they start to eat. Are we talking about axolotl or Triturus vulgaris larvae? Your two posts have confused me.

-John

 

[jonathan]

John- I'm talking about Triturus Vulgaris although my axolotls are breeding but i don't have any eggs yet.
My larvae are a light brown colour and have two black lines running the length of the body.They also have the feathery gills but they are so small it's hard to see them.In there digestive tract there is a a small white ball just behind the head(is this the yolk).What is the maximum time for this to be used up.
Jonathan

 

[john]

I've moved these messages to the Triturus forum.

Anyway, the yoke is generally low down on the body, along the digestive tract. In newly hatched larvae there can be a considerable amount of it so it may look like your description. The colouration you describe is typical for young Triturus larvae but it will change as they develop more pigment cells. As for maximum time, it depends on the temperature they're kept at and how much yoke they have to start with. I'd say anything from 24 hours to 5 days or more, depending on these criteria. Don't worry.

 

[jonathan]

John- Sorry about the confusion.
I keep them in an unheated tank.Which is maintained at room temperature which is about 15oC.I have a tropical heater but don't know whether to use it????I also have some pond weed(crispa)in with them.
Is it normal for the larvae to lay on the bottom of the tank motionless? Your help so far has been a great help. Thanks
Jonathan

 

[john]

The larvae of Triturus species from northern Europe do fine at room temperatures and I wouldn't recommend heating them. Yes, staying on the bottom motionless is normal - they don't become free-swimming until after the yoke is gone, as I said.

 

[jonathan]

Thanks for your help and I apologise if I've been a bit of a pain.
All the best
Jonathan