N.V. Viridescens question

Nathan050793

Nathan050793

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It is already January 13th and my Notos are not changing into their breeding forms. This is the first year that I have had them, so I am not sure why. I got two of them (I have 5) in the summer (late August early September) and both were in the breeding form (they are males then right?) I think that this is the time of year that they should be changing, so I was just wondering why they aren't. Thanks for any help!:D

P.S.
This isn't a pressing matter, I am just curious.
 
Did you cool down the tank? Mine are laying eggs .I know with mine they will breed all year if I keep cooling there tank .
 
When I had Notos, they didn't go into breeding condition every year. I have no idea why. When they did breed, it was usually in March. As James suggested, temperature is a factor.
 
My tank is fairly warm, and it is in a part of the house that stays fairly warm. That may be the reason. Thank you!:D Now my only question is, how do you cool down a tank for that purpose? How should I consider doing this? I know Notos can survive in frozen over ponds, but I don't want to make them uncomfortable.:confused:
 
Just put ice packs in the tank at night or move them by a window you can open to let the cool air from outside cool it.
 
That's a good idea, if my newts change that would be good (plus it is the natural thing to do). Then I can tell who is a male and who is a female for sure!:D
 
If possible, move the tank to a colder part of the house - even the garage if it doesn't freeze. I really don't think you need to worry about making them uncomfortable with cold!
 
I have decided that I will move their tank to a colder part of the house. My two options are my screened in porch or the basement. The porch stays the same temperature as outside (27-38 degrees) and the basement is only a bit warmer than that. Which place would be my best option?:confused:
 
If there's a risk of freezing on the porch, I'd say the basement would be safer. What kind of filter does the tank have? Motor-driven filters will prevent the tank from freezing even if the air temp goes briefly below freezing.
 
Unfortunately, the tank doesn't have a filter, it is just still water. I do have a power-filter, but i doubt the water level is high enough to use it. I think I will just move it to the basement, so i don't have to worry about it freezing. Thanks for the help!:D
 
I have one more question.:eek: The tank is really heavy, It is a 10 gallon filled a little over half way. I would have to carry it down three floors to put it in the basement. Do you think I could just put my newts in the fridge for a day or two while I am at school? How long does it take for them to change? Does it happen in a few days or over a week? Also once changed would they have to stay in the cold environment?
 
The best thing to do would be to drain the tank using a siphon into a couple of buckets, so that the matured water is kept. Leave a little water in the bottom of the tank to support aquatic plants etc. Take the newts out and put them in a small container whilst this is going on. Carry the tank downstairs (get someone to help you if its still a bit heavy) and put it where you want it in the basement. Then carefully pour the water back in fromt he buckets (use your hand to break up the flow of water fromt he bucket to avoid disturbing the substrate). Let the water settle and then put the newts back in. This worked very well for moving four-foot aquaria around my house whilst we were decorating, so i am sure it will work for a smaller tank. Obviously make sure the buckets are clean and chemical-free before you use them.

I would think that the basement would be generally better for your animals than the warm part of the house.

Good luck!

Chris
 
Two things I have to contribute.
1. it takes much more than a day or two in the fridge for them to change to breeding condition. I would estimate several weeks. (at least that is my experience). Oh and they don't have to stay in a cold environment for them to change. It was actually the raising of the temperature that brought the change on in my newts. They may have to stay in colder temperatures to actually breed though. Mine didn't lay eggs, so I can't say anything about that.

2. I don't think the temperature change has to be that drastic for the newts to go into breeding condition. I kept my newts in a basement this summer because the house had no AC. The basement was at its coldest about 68 degrees F and was usually somewhere in the low 70's. When I moved them into my room in the fall and the temp was a constant of 75-80 for a couple weeks they went right into breeding condition.

I hope it works for you. My Notos were in breeding condition, but Maggie (the female) never laid any eggs.
 
Thanks, that is helpful. I have a feeling that they will change as soon as it gets warm enough that I have to turn my AC on. I really don't feel like moving the tank. If they change, they change. Is it unhealthy if they don't?
 
Well, it was about time to clean the tank, so I finally moved them to the basement today. There seems to be a lot of variations in what brings on breeding condition, will going from a warm room to a (increasingly) cold room bring it on?
 
It has been a week and they seem to be doing alright. The cold isn't what causes the change though, right? Is it moving from the cold to a warmer part of the house? Any help would be greatly appreciated.:confused:
 
Well, now it's been a little over 3 weeks or so and my notos are doing fairly well in their chilled environment. The female has really put on a good weight. I was feeling inclined to ask about when I should take them out of their winter period. Should I take them out now or has it not been long enough?

P.S.
Sorry if I sound impatient.:eek:
 
I would give them a few more weeks.
 
Nathan050793 said:
Should I take them out now or has it not been long enough?

P.S.
Sorry if I sound impatient.:eek:
Click to expand...
I think you answered your own question there;) Be patient. Your newts are probably enjoying their cool environment immensely.
 
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